If university is your next step, there are some pretty incredible institutions around the world to choose from. Revered and celebrated the world over, universities are not just places of education, but also of incredible history, amazing architecture and one-of-a-kind spaces. From the halls of Harvard to the centuries-old buildings of Oxford, let's take a look at the most beautiful universities in the world – many of which you can visit whether you plan on going to university or not.
Founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth I, Trinity College is Ireland’s highest-ranked university. Yet its academic merits are not the only thing to admire about this historic institution, because the buildings that make up the campus are some of the finest in all of Dublin. Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett attended Trinity and any visitor shouldn't miss a trip to the library. The 16th-century building has floor-to-ceiling wooden shelves packed with hundreds of thousands of books.
Despite being one of America's lesser-known universities, Berry College is housed on one seriously stunning estate. In fact, it occupies the largest campus in the United States by acreage. Sprawling some 27,000 acres, this institution is home to foothills, rivers, wetlands, forests and award-winning gardens. There's also The Martha Berry Museum, which tells the story of this important education facility, founded in 1902. Visits are often hosted here, so check the website to register.
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As one of the greatest education institutions in the world, Harvard University is also the oldest in America. Situated in the charming city of Cambridge, a few subway stops from central Boston, the university’s spectacular red-brick buildings date back to 1636 and surround an idyllic, leafy courtyard. The Widener Library is the centrepiece of the campus, with its columned façade and imposing barrel-vaulted reading room. The campus offers both in-person and virtual tours, bookable through its website.
As iconic as it is spectacular, Royal Holloway, part of the University of London, can be found in Surrey, UK, and was founded in 1879. The institution was among the first in Britain to allow women to access higher education. The Founder's Building was unveiled by Queen Victoria in 1886 and it remains the hub of the campus to this day. Highlights include the Royal Holloway Chapel and the Picture Gallery, which contains a fine collection of Victorian paintings. Details of guided and self-led tours can be found on the website.
Situated in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, John Hopkins University is more than 145 years old. Dubbed America’s first research university, the campus is overflowing with impressive feats of engineering. The highlight, however, has to be the Peabody Library, which opened its doors in 1878. Designed by local architect Edmund G. Lind, the library's imposing stack room contains five tiers of cast-iron balconies, which soar up some 61 feet (18.5m). Visits are allowed, so see the website for more information.
Despite its beauty and age, there's a chance you've never heard of Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt. The ancient institution dates back to AD 970 and is among the largest universities in the world – not to mention one of the oldest. Renowned as the most prestigious site for Islamic learning, the college is housed inside the breathtaking Al-Azhar Mosque, which dates back to the Fatimid era. Tours are usually available and the mosque's white-marble courtyard should not be missed.
Another lesser-known site with a lovely campus is the University of Coimbra, which can be found in the heart of its namesake Portuguese city. Surrounded by Coimbra's beautifully preserved medieval old town, the historic university was established in Lisbon in 1290, before being moved to its current location in 1537. Built on the grounds of a former palace, the campus is celebrated for its romantic exterior, Baroque library and its 18th-century bell tower.
As one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world, The University of Edinburgh lies at the heart of one of the most beautiful historic cities in Europe, and boasts some incredible campus architecture – a mix of centuries-old structures and ultra-modern additions. The Old College, which dates back to the 18th century and surrounds a dreamy quad, is the university's most notable building. It's usually open for self-guided tours during the summer months.
Akin to a noble palace, the University of Hohenheim is located to the south of Stuttgart and dates back to 1818. Awe-inspiring in terms of size and grandeur, the property also has a poignant history. In the 1940s, during the Second World War, around 250 people were deported to Hohenheim for forced labor. Today, a memorial sculpture can be found on university grounds, commemorating those that suffered and lost their lives during the Nazi regime.
The University of Cambridge was founded in 1209, making it one of the oldest surviving universities in the world. The institution is made up of 31 colleges and six schools and its architecture is otherworldly. Highlights include the chapel at King's College and the Bridge of Sighs at St John's College. It's usually open for visitors, so you can walk in the footsteps of former students like Sir David Attenborough.
On the complete opposite end of the architectural spectrum, you'll find the University of Salamanca. Founded in the 12th century, this institution is one of the oldest universities in existence. The college was given a Royal Charter by King Alfonso IX in 1218 and blends Romanesque, Gothic, Moorish, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. In fact, the entire city of Salamanca was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
Founded in 1827, the University of Toronto has established itself as Canada’s leading institution of learning. Made up of three campuses, this university effortlessly blends old with new. While Mississauga has a striking façade of corten steel and azure glass, St. George campus is all historical buildings and inviting green spaces. Campus tours and self-guided tours are available to both prospective students and keen tourists.
As one of America's eight prestigious Ivy League colleges, Princeton University has long held a reputation as one of the country's most notable education institutions. Founded in 1746, the university is located in a quaint town in New Jersey and is home to a Gothic-style University Chapel, the Princeton University Art Museum and Nassau Hall, the oldest building on the campus. Michelle Obama and F. Scott Fitzgerald were once students here and visitors can typically take tours of the campus.
Founded in the 15th century, the University of St Andrews is home to some truly spectacular buildings, including St Salvator's Chapel and Sallies Quad (pictured). It also happens to be mere moments from Scotland's enviable coastline. Famous alumni include Benjamin Franklin, Rudyard Kipling, Prince William and his wife, the Princess of Wales.
Another of the United States' Ivy League universities, Yale opened its doors to students in 1701 and has since welcomed the likes of George W. Bush and Meryl Streep into its lecture theatres. Yale's famed Old Campus is home to the 216-foot-tall (66m) Harkness Tower, whose 54-bell Yale Memorial Carillon has been serenading passers-by since 1917. Generally, the campus is open for guided tours and public concerts, but check the website for details.
École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, or the National School of Fine Arts, can be found in the centre of Paris and was founded in the 1600s. Now housed inside a series of grand buildings dating back to the 1800s, the prestigious school holds a vast collection of works and once taught the likes of Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Eugène Delacroix. If you’re keen to step inside, be sure to check out the school’s calendar of exhibitions and events.
Nestled in the heart of Belfast city, Queen's University blends history and culture with a lively social scene. The college opened its doors in 1849 and is home to 250 buildings, around 100 of which are listed. The Lanyon Building, named after its architect Sir Charles Lanyon, is the centrepiece of the estate and has a striking red-brick façade and an interior kitted out with stained glass windows and barrel vaulted ceilings. There are campus tours for prospective students or you can take a virtual tour of the university from the comfort of your home.
Over in Leuven, Belgium, you'll find a university that could be plucked from the pages of a storybook. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven was founded in 1425 and, as such, is one of Europe’s oldest. The university owns an array of buildings, including three absolute jewels: the University Library of Leuven, Arenberg Castle (pictured) and University Hall. Formerly a cloth makers’ hall, the latter was constructed in 1317 and is now the heart of this important institution.
Oral Roberts University has one of the most unique campuses in the world. Founded in 1963 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the modern evangelical university is home to a vast array of futuristic, Art Deco-inspired buildings, each of which symbolises an element of the Christian faith. As well as the ultra-modern student centre, the campus is also home to a striking statue known as the Prayer Hands (exactly what it sounds like) and a 200-foot-tall (61m) Prayer Tower (pictured). Choose from a guided, self-guided or virtual campus tour.
Far from just being a place of education, the University of Virginia has a rich and fascinating history that has led it to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, and at its centre lies The Rotunda, a stunning 19th-century property modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. The university is just down the road from Monticello, Jefferson’s former home, so you can combine the two during your trip to Charlottesville.
Positioned in the scenic town of Heidelberg, Germany, this institution was founded in 1386 by Pope Urban VI. Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university and, as such, has plenty of eye-catching architecture. The Old Assembly Hall (pictured), constructed in 1886, is the university's most prized building. Other sights worth seeing include the Student Prison. Established in the 1780s, students were incarcerated for offenses such as disturbance of the peace. The prison was in use until 1914.
Despite being one of the world's newest cities, Sydney, Australia, is home to its fair share of landmarks – and The University of Sydney is definitely one of them. Established in 1850, Australia's first university has earned itself an international reputation. It's housed inside a purpose-built, 19th-century sandstone building and has a famous quadrangle courtyard that comes to life during spring, plus working farms and numerous museums. Tours are available for prospective students and visitors, and pay a visit to the Chau Chak Wing Museum which showcases the university’s amazing collection of art, ancient history and science.
Internationally renowned, King's College London has been welcoming students since 1829 and over the years has produced 14 Nobel Prize winners. Spread out across the city of London, the campus is home to some truly stunning buildings, including King's College Chapel and the Bush House Building. King’s also owns the East Wing of Somerset House, among the most spectacular pieces of architecture in the English capital. Guided campus tours are generally available, but check online for details.
The idyllic riverside city of Durham, northeast England, has a hilltop cathedral and an 11th-century castle, which is now home to one of the UK's most prestigious education institutions. Durham University was founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832, making it one of the oldest universities in England. Visitors can follow self-guided tours to take in its Romanesque architecture, before enjoying a stroll along the River Wear.
Also known as Alma Mater Studiorum, The University of Bologna is considered to be the oldest university in the Western world. Established in 1088, it has five campuses across Italy, in Bologna, Cesena, Forlì, Ravenna and Rimini, and has a community of more than 85,000 students. The institution is housed inside some spectacular buildings dating back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance era, and highlights include the Bologna University Library, with its arched ceiling, dark wood and ornate columns. You can join private tours of the university, or take a virtual tour instead.
There’s a reason why this building looks like a private country estate. Hatley Castle, located at Hatley Park National Historic Site on Vancouver Island, Canada, was built in 1907 by the Dunsmuir family. Between 1940 and 1995, it was used as a military training facility, but since then it has been the base for Royal Roads University. Home to Italian Gardens and a working farm, the estate has been a setting for several films, including X-Men and Deadpool. The campus open to the public for guided tours and garden visits.
One of the world's most iconic education universities, Oxford has a storied history and a truly spectacular campus. Positioned in the heart of Oxford, it's thought to have been in operation since 1096: that makes it the oldest university in the English-speaking world. Often topping the World University Rankings, this incredible institution is famous for its historic buildings (like Radcliffe Camera, pictured), which attract millions of tourists every single year. In fact, the university owns 67 listed buildings across the city.
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