List of modern universities in Europe (1801–1945)

Humboldt University, founded in Berlin in 1810, was a much emulated model of a modern university in the 19th century (photochrom from 1900).^[1]

University of London, founded in 1836, was established as an independent examining board for affiliated colleges, with King's College London and University College London as the founding colleges.^[2]

The list of modern universities in Europe (1801–1945) contains all universities which existed in Europe between the French Revolution and the end of World War II. Universities are regarded as comprising all institutions of higher education recognized as universities by the public or ecclesiastical authorities in charge and authorized to confer academic degrees in more than one faculty.^[3] Temporary foundations are also included. Where institutions not meeting the definition of a University are included (e.g. university colleges) these are indicated by footnotes.

At the outset of the 19th century, European universities had been severely affected by the Napoleonic Wars, their number falling in the brief span of time between 1789 and 1815 by sixty to 83.^[4] By 1840 their number recovered to 98 universities with approximately 80,000 students and 5,000 professors.^[4] Notwithstanding the trend towards specialized institutions of higher learning – in France, for instance, the universities had been suppressed and replaced by Grandes écoles –, the size of the student and professor bodies multiplied over the next hundred years, attaining a size of 600,000 and 32,000 members respectively at around two hundred universities.^[4] In total, the period saw about 220 universities in existence that are listed below.^{[3][A 1]}

List

The list is sorted by the date of recognition. At places where more than one university was established, the name of the institution is given in brackets.

12th century

13th century

14th century

15th century

16th century

17th century

18th century

19th century

20th century

Notes

1. ↑ This number also includes Russian universities in the Asian part of the country which are not included in this list.
2. ↑ Founded 1336. University 1727.^[5]
3. ↑ Jesuit College 1592. University 1769.^[7]
4. ↑ As Athenaeum Illustre, Recognised as a university 1877^[3]
5. ↑ School 1615. Academy 1658. Theological Seminary 1817. Suppressed 1918. University 1991.^[10]
6. ↑ Pontifical University 1796; recognised only as a college by civil authorities.^[11]
7. ↑ Closed 1835
8. ↑ Not listed by Rüegg (p. 684).^[3] Limited degree awarding powers: Bachelor of Divinity 1852; Bachelor of Arts 1865. College of the University of Wales 1971. Recognised as a university 2007.
9. ↑ Listed as part of the University of London rather than a separate institution by Rüegg (p. 684).^[3] UCL was founded in 1826 but not formally recognised as a college and affiliated to the University of London until 1836. Formally remains a college of the University of London and not a university. Degree awarding powers 2005.^[13]
10. ↑ Listed as part of the University of London rather than a separate institution by Rüegg (p. 684).^[3] King's was recognised as a college in 1829 and affiliated to the University of London in 1836. Formally remains a college of the University of London and not a university. Degree awarding powers 2006.^[15]
11. ↑ Divided into French and Dutch speaking universities 1968
12. ↑ Queen's College, Belfast 1845. College of the Queen's University of Ireland 1850. Affiliated to the Royal University of Ireland 1879. Recognised as a university 1908.^[17]
13. ↑ Queen's College, Cork 1845. College of the Queen's University of Ireland 1850. Affiliated to the Royal University of Ireland 1879. College of the National University of Ireland 1908. Recognised as a constituent university of the National University 1997.
14. ↑ Queen's College, Galway 1845. College of the Queen's University of Ireland 1850. Affiliated to the Royal University of Ireland 1879. College of the National University of Ireland 1908. Recognised as a constituent university of the National University 1997.
15. ↑ Owens College 1851. College of the Victoria University 1880. Recognised as a university 1903.
16. ↑ Not recognised as a university by the civil authorities. Reformed as University College, Dublin and affiliated to the Royal University of Ireland 1880. College of the National University of Ireland 1908. Recognised as a constituent university of the National University 1997.
17. ↑ College (school) 1808. Lyceum 1838. Advanced School (university college) 1863. University 1905.^[18]
18. ↑ Craft School 1830. University 1868.^[20]
19. ↑ Durham University College of Science 1871. Recognised as a university 1963.
20. ↑ Listed as part of the University of Wales rather than a separate institution by Rüegg (p. 687). University College Wales 1872. College of the University of Wales 1893. Recognised as a university 2007.
21. ↑ Yorkshire College of Science 1874. College of the Victoria University 1887. Recognised as a university 1904.^[21]
22. ↑ Mason Science College 1875. Recognised as a university 1900.
23. ↑ University College, Bristol 1876. Recognised as a university 1909.
24. ↑ Firth College 1879. Recognised as a university 1905.
25. ↑ University College, Nottingham 1881. Recognised as a university 1948.
26. ↑ University College, Dundee 1881. College of the University of St Andrews 1897. Recognised as a university 1967.
27. ↑ University College, Liverpool 1883. College of the Victoria University 1884. Recognised as a university 1903.
28. ↑ Listed as part of the University of Wales rather than a separate institution by Rüegg (p. 687). University College South Wales and Monmouthshire 1883. College of the University of Wales 1893. Recognised as a university 2005.
29. ↑ Listed as part of the University of Wales rather than a separate institution by Rüegg (p. 687). University College North Wales 1884. College of the University of Wales 1893. Recognised as a university 2007.
30. ↑ University Extension College 1892. University College Reading 1901. Recognised as a university 1926.
31. ↑ Hartley University College 1902. Recognised as a university 1952.^[24]
32. ↑ Teachers School 1913. University 1997.
33. ↑ Listed as part of the University of Wales rather than a separate institution by Rüegg (p. 687). University College Swansea 1920, a college of the University of Wales. Recognised as a university 2007.
34. ↑ Specialist graduate school rather than full university

References

Sources

• Rüegg, Walter: "Themes", in: Rüegg, Walter (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. III: Universities in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries (1800–1945), Cambridge University Press, 2004, ISBN 978-0-521-36107-1, pp. 3–31
• Rüegg, Walter: "European Universities and Similar Institutions in Existence between 1812 and the End of 1944: A Chronological List: Universities", in: Rüegg, Walter (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. III: Universities in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries (1800–1945), Cambridge University Press, 2004, ISBN 978-0-521-36107-1, pp. 673–691

Further reading

• Jílek, Jubor (ed.): "Historical Compendium of European Universities/Répertoire Historique des Universités Européennes", Standing Conference of Rectors, Presidents and Vice-Chancellors of the European Universities (CRE), Geneva 1984
• Ridder-Symoens, Hilde de (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. I: Universities in the Middle Ages, Cambridge University Press, 1992, ISBN 0-521-36105-2
• Ridder-Symoens, Hilde de (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. II: Universities in Early Modern Europe (1500–1800), Cambridge University Press, 1996, ISBN 0-521-36106-0
• Rüegg, Walter (ed.): A History of the University in Europe. Vol. IV: Universities Since 1945, Cambridge University Press, 2011, ISBN 978-0-521-36108-8

See also

• List of universities and colleges in Europe
• History of European research universities
• List of oldest universities in continuous operation

Lists of European universities and colleges by era
Europe	Middles Ages (pre-1500) Early modern age (1501–1800) Late modern age (1801–1945) Contemporary (post-1945)
Colonies	Hispanic America (1538–1812) Spanish Philippines (1589–1898) Thirteen Colonies (1636–1769)
List of oldest universities