The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Morocco has been recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest institution of higher learning in the world.

Widely acknowledged as the oldest university globally, the University of al-Qarawiyyin was initially established as a mosque in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri. It was subsequently incorporated into Morocco’s university system in 1963.

Fatima al-Fihri and her sister Mariam, according to the BBC, utilized the inheritance they received after their father’s passing to create the Al-Karaouine Mosque and University complex.

The complex housing the institution comprises a mosque, university, and library.

The school’s primary focus is on education in the Arabic language. The curriculum also encompasses teachings in science, mathematics, and foreign languages.

Another institution often recognized for its long history is the University of Bologna in Italy, which has been cited by several sources as the oldest continually operating university.

Established in 1088, this university has remained operational to this day.

According to Guinness World Records, it is the oldest continually operating university in the world.

The university boasts a distinguished alumni list, including the famous Renaissance polymath, Leonardo da Vinci, who enrolled in 1497.

In the 2022-23 academic year, the University of Bologna enrolled 96,984 students, including 8,526 international students.

The university comprises 31 departments, covering disciplines such as architecture, engineering, economics, legal studies, mathematics, pharmacy, and veterinary medical sciences.

Oxford University in England is another institution known for its long history. Its founding occurred a few years after the establishment of the University of Bologna.

While evidence suggests teaching at Oxford, in some form, dates back to 1096, the university’s website acknowledges the absence of a definitive date of origin.

Oxford University is considered the oldest university in the English-speaking world.

Though its earliest days can be traced back to around 1096, the university’s popularity surged in 1167 when Henry II prohibited English students from attending the University of Paris, according to Oxford’s website.

The title of the oldest university in the United States belongs to Harvard University, founded on October 28, 1636. This Ivy League institution is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has an acceptance rate of 3%.