What are the Oldest Universities in the UK?

What are the Oldest Universities in the UK?

If you’ve ever wondered what the oldest university in Britain is, the answer is the University of Oxford. Oxford is not only the oldest university in Britain and the oldest university in England – it’s also the oldest university in the entire English-speaking world. Teaching was already taking place at Oxford as early as 1096, giving it an academic legacy spanning over nine centuries.

In this article, we’ll explore Oxford’s early origins and other historic institutions such as Cambridge and St Andrews. By the end, you’ll understand what makes these ancient universities special – and if you’re aiming for one of them, how Dukes Plus can help guide you on your educational journey.

Top 3 Oldest Universities in the UK

University of Oxford – Britain’s Oldest University

The University of Oxford traces its roots back to the late 11th century. There is no exact founding date, but evidence shows that teaching existed at Oxford in 1096. This makes Oxford the oldest university in Britain and the oldest in the English-speaking world, predating its nearest rival (Cambridge) by over a century. Oxford grew rapidly from 1167, when King Henry II banned English students from studying at Paris, forcing scholars to stay in England and bolstering Oxford’s student body. By the 13th century, Oxford was a thriving centre of learning with multiple colleges and halls, laying the groundwork for the prestigious institution we know today.

Fast forward to the present, and Oxford remains a world-leading university. It is consistently ranked among the very top universities globally – in fact, Oxford has held the #1 spot in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for several years running. Oxford’s academic strengths span virtually every discipline. It’s renowned for the humanities (think of its world-famous English and History faculties), the sciences and medicine (with cutting-edge research and Nobel Prize winners), as well as politics and philosophy (Oxford’s Philosophy, Politics and Economics program famously educated many global leaders). With its tutorial system and rich resources, Oxford offers an unparalleled educational experience steeped in tradition and excellence.

Oxford’s global reputation and high standards also mean that getting admitted is extremely competitive. Undergraduate admissions are among the most selective in the UK, with Oxford’s acceptance rate in recent years hovering around 13–16%. In the latest admissions cycle, roughly 14% of applicants were admitted (about 3,200 students out of over 23,000 applicants). This low acceptance rate reflects Oxford’s rigorous selection – prospective students need top grades, strong entrance exam scores, and impressive interviews to earn a coveted place. Despite the challenge, thousands of ambitious students apply every year, drawn by Oxford’s prestige and the career and academic opportunities it unlocks.

University of Cambridge – The Second-Oldest University in the UK

Following Oxford, the University of Cambridge is the second-oldest university in Britain and the English-speaking world. Cambridge was founded in 1209, when a group of scholars left Oxford after a dispute and settled in the town of Cambridge. These Oxford scholars “migrated to Cambridge” and started their own lectures, which eventually led to the formation of a new university by the early 13th century. Cambridge received an official royal charter in 1231 from King Henry III, confirming it as an autonomous university. Over the next 800+ years, Cambridge grew into a world-class institution with its own proud traditions, colleges, and academic achievements.

Cambridge has long been Oxford’s historic rival – together, “Oxbridge” represent the pinnacle of British higher education. Like Oxford, Cambridge is highly prestigious and consistently ranks among the top universities worldwide. It has produced luminary alumni ranging from Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin to Rosalind Franklin and Stephen Hawking. Cambridge’s strengths are similarly broad, excelling in sciences, engineering, humanities, and more. Its beautiful colleges and libraries (such as Trinity College’s Wren Library or King’s College Chapel) are living testaments to its rich heritage.

In terms of selectivity, Cambridge is also very competitive, though slightly less so than Oxford. Cambridge tends to admit a marginally higher percentage of its applicants. For example, for the 2023 entry cycle, Cambridge’s undergraduate acceptance rate was about 16–17%, compared to Oxford’s ~14%. This means Cambridge is just a bit less competitive than Oxford, but it remains extremely selective by any measure. Gaining admission to Cambridge requires top academic credentials and strong performance in its admissions process. The intense rivalry between Oxford and Cambridge even extends to selectivity: both universities attract the best students, and applicants can only apply to either Oxford or Cambridge in a given year (not both), ensuring the competition for each remains fierce.

University of St Andrews – Scotland’s Oldest University

Leaving England, the oldest university in Scotland (and third-oldest in Britain) is the University of St Andrews. Founded in the early 15th century, St Andrews represents the emergence of higher education in Scotland. Teaching began in St Andrews around 1410, conducted by a small community of Augustinian clergy, and the university was formally constituted in 1413 by a Papal Bull issued by Pope Benedict XIII. This Papal Bull granted full university status to St Andrews, making it the first university in Scotland. To this day, St Andrews proudly carries its heritage as Scotland’s first university and one of the oldest in the English-speaking world (after Oxford and Cambridge).

Over the centuries, St Andrews remained relatively small but built a strong academic reputation. It has just a fraction of the student population of Oxford or Cambridge, which lends it a unique collegial atmosphere in the tiny seaside town of St Andrews. Don’t let its size fool you – St Andrews punches above its weight in quality. It is known for excellent programs in areas like theology, philosophy, international relations, and golf management (fitting for the “Home of Golf”!). In recent years, St Andrews has topped some UK university rankings, even outranking Oxbridge in certain league tables. It also became famous as the university where Prince William met Kate Middleton, underlining its reputation as a place where tradition meets academic excellence.

Admissions-wise, St Andrews has become one of the most selective universities in the UK. In fact, its offer rates are the third-lowest in the country, behind only Oxford and Cambridge. Recent figures show an offer rate of around 25% for St Andrews undergraduates, meaning only about one in four applicants receive an offer. (The final acceptance rate is even lower, since not all who receive offers end up matriculating.) This selectivity is partly due to St Andrews’ popularity with international students and a limited number of spots. For students, it means that getting into St Andrews can be nearly as challenging as getting into Oxbridge. As with the others, stellar grades and a strong overall application are a must for a chance at admission.

Other Historic Universities in the UK

Oxford, Cambridge, and St Andrews are the top three oldest universities in Britain, but they are not the only ones with deep historical roots. During the 15th and 16th centuries, several other universities were founded in the UK that still thrive today:

• University of Glasgow – Founded in 1451 (Scotland’s second-oldest university)
• University of Aberdeen – Founded in 1495 (Scotland; originally King’s College, Aberdeen)
• University of Edinburgh – Founded in 1583 (Scotland’s sixth-oldest in the English-speaking world)

Along with St Andrews, these Scottish institutions are collectively known as the “ancient universities” of the UK. Despite their age, they have evolved into modern research powerhouses. For example, the University of Edinburgh is now one of the largest and most renowned universities in Britain, often ranking just behind Oxbridge in research output. The University of Glasgow and University of Aberdeen have also grown into leading universities with global reach. Interestingly, these later ancient universities generally have higher acceptance rates than Oxbridge or St Andrews – they are prestigious, but because they are larger and offer more places, a greater proportion of applicants are admitted each year.

For instance, Glasgow and Aberdeen have acceptance rates on the order of 70% or higher for undergraduate applicants, reflecting a more inclusive intake, whereas Edinburgh’s effective undergraduate acceptance rate is closer to 10–15% (due to extremely high application volumes) despite a roughly 33% offer rate.

Below is a comparison of the oldest universities in the UK, summarising their founding year, location, and approximate recent undergraduate acceptance rate:

The Oldest Universities in the UK: A Comparison

University	Founding Year	Location	Undergraduate Acceptance Rate
University of Oxford	c. 1096	Oxford, England	~14% (2023)
University of Cambridge	1209	Cambridge, England	~17% (2023)
University of St Andrews	1413	St Andrews, Scotland	~25% (offer rate)
University of Glasgow	1451	Glasgow, Scotland	~70% (estimated)
University of Aberdeen	1495	Aberdeen, Scotland	~78% (estimated)
University of Edinburgh	1583	Edinburgh, Scotland	~33% (offer rate)

(Acceptance rates are approximate, based on the most recent data available for undergraduate admissions. “Offer rate” refers to the percentage of applicants who receive an offer.)

As you can see, Oxford firmly holds the title of oldest university in Britain, with Cambridge as the runner-up. Scotland’s ancient universities – led by St Andrews – round out the list of Britain’s oldest institutions. These universities have all played pivotal roles in the history of British education and continue to be highly respected today.

Conclusion

Britain’s oldest universities are more than just historical curiosities – they are living institutions that continue to shape the global academic landscape. The University of Oxford, founded around 1096, set the template for higher learning in the English-speaking world and remains at the forefront of teaching and research. Cambridge and St Andrews, each centuries old, likewise blend rich tradition with modern excellence. For students, the appeal of these venerable institutions lies not only in their age but in the outstanding education they provide and the doors they open for the future.

If you’re inspired by the legacy of Oxford or Cambridge and dream of studying at one of these prestigious universities, Dukes Plus is here to help make that dream a reality. With our friendly and professional educational consultancy services, we specialise in guiding students through every step of the admissions process – from choosing the right subjects and writing a compelling personal statement to preparing for Oxbridge interviews and entrance exams. Our expert consultants have a deep understanding of what top UK universities are looking for, and we’ve helped countless students secure places at Oxford, Cambridge, and other elite institutions.

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Contact Dukes Plus today to explore how our tailored support can boost your chances of success. Whether you’re aiming for Britain’s oldest university or any other top school, our team is committed to helping you achieve your educational goals. Let’s unlock your potential and chart a course to your dream university together!

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