5 Oldest Universities in the World

2. University of al-Qarawiyyin

Date of Establishment: 859

The University of al-Qarawiyyin is Morrocco’s oldest university. It was initially set up as a mosque, and its status as one of the oldest universities in the world is often disputed. Critics claim that the University of al-Qarawiyyin has not operated as a proper university throughout most of its history, while supporters point out that during the early Islamic age, mosques often also doubled down as centers of learning. Throughout the years, the university has produced several scholars, philosophers, and politicians.