10 Oldest Medical Colleges in the World: The history of medical education is a fascinating journey through time and culture. In human civilisation, medicines and their application date back millennia. In ancient India, medical education also finds its trace in world-famous universities like Takshsila and Nalanda. But the establishment of formal degree-awarding medical schools is comparatively more recent.
This article highlights the 10 oldest medical colleges in the world, birthplaces of modern medicine, with their founding year and a quick snapshot.
| The World Directory of Medical Schools, maintained by FAIMER, features information on more than 4,000 active medical colleges worldwide. It unifies data from earlier databases such as the International Medical Education Directory (IMED) and the Avicenna Directory, aiming to offer a complete and reliable global record of medical institutions. |
10 Oldest Medical Colleges in the World
Here is the list of the 10 oldest medical colleges in the world which are still operating today.
1. University of Bologna-School of Medicine and Surgery, Italy
- Founded: 1088
- Location: Bologna, Italy
The University of Bologna is recognised as the oldest university in the world, with formal medical teaching beginning around 1200 AD. Its early scholars introduced systematic dissection and medical observation, practices that shaped the evolution of Western medicine.
Why it’s special:
Join NEET News 2025 - Pioneered anatomy-based medical training
- Influenced early European medical curricula
- Continues to rank among the top global research institutions
2. Barts and The London School of Medicine, UK
- Founded: 1123 (St. Bartholomew’s Hospital origins)
- Location: London, United Kingdom
Formed through the merger of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College and The London Hospital Medical College, this institution is the oldest medical teaching center in England. Its connection with London’s major hospitals provides world-class clinical exposure.
Highlights:
- Over 900 years of continuous medical education
- Leading research in cancer, dentistry, and cardiovascular sciences
- Part of Queen Mary University of London (QMUL)
Read Also: Top 10 Universities for Medicine in 2025: QS World University Rankings
3. University of Montpellier-Faculty of Medicine, France
- Founded: 1289
- Location: Montpellier, France
Medicine has been taught in Montpellier since the 12th century, with papal recognition granted in 1289. This is the oldest active medical school in the world, still operating in its original building.
Why it stands out:
- Historic lectures from figures like Rabelais and Nostradamus
- A blend of medieval architecture and modern research labs
- UNESCO-recognised heritage of European medical teaching
4. University of Oxford-Medical Sciences Division, UK
- Founded: 1096 (Medical teaching since 1220)
- Location: Oxford, United Kingdom
The University of Oxford is the oldest English-speaking university and one of the first to integrate scientific methodology into medicine. Its Medical Sciences Division is consistently ranked among the top 3 in the world.
Key facts:
- Produced multiple Nobel laureates in medicine and physiology
- Pioneered clinical trials and vaccine research
- Offers pre-clinical and clinical training under the NHS network
Read Also: History of Medical Education in India: Ancient to Modern Reforms
5. University of Padua-Department of Medicine (DIMED), Italy
- Founded: 1222
- Location: Padua, Italy
The University of Padua revolutionised anatomy and surgery through the world’s first permanent anatomical theatre in 1594. It became a hub for Renaissance-era medical discoveries.
Notable contributions:
- Hosted famed anatomist Andreas Vesalius
- Early focus on evidence-based medicine
- Home to Italy’s oldest teaching hospital
6. University of Siena-School of Medicine, Italy
- Founded: 1240
- Location: Siena, Italy
Established as Studium Senese, the University of Siena quickly gained a reputation for excellence in pharmacology, physiology, and surgery.
Highlights:
- Continuous operation for nearly eight centuries
- Compact, student-friendly campus
- Strong integration with hospital-based training
Read Also: Top 10 Oldest Medical Colleges in India: Colonial Legacy to Modern Excellence
7. University of Florence-School of Health Sciences, Italy
- Founded: 1321 (recognised 1349)
- Location: Florence, Italy
Located in the heart of Renaissance Italy, the University of Florence symbolises the union of art, science, and medicine. Its medical faculty produced early anatomists who shaped Europe’s understanding of the human body.
Highlights:
- Rooted in Renaissance humanism
- Houses one of the oldest anatomical model collections in Europe
- Modern programs are taught in both Italian and English
8. University of Coimbra-Faculty of Medicine, Portugal
- Founded: 1290
- Location: Coimbra, Portugal
The University of Coimbra, established by King Dinis, is one of the oldest universities in Europe and home to Portugal’s oldest medical faculty. It’s also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Key points:
- Medicine was among its original four faculties
- Famous for medical botany and early clinical sciences
- A hub for international students from over 100 countries
9. University of Perugia-Faculty of Medicine, Italy
- Founded: 1308
- Location: Perugia, Italy
Authorised by Pope Clement V, the University of Perugia began formal medical instruction in 1321. Its teaching emphasised practical training alongside philosophy and anatomy.
Why it stands out:
- Among Italy’s first universities to award medical doctorates
- Known for traditional European-style MBBS education
- Excellent academic environment for international students
10. University of Pisa-Faculty of Medicine, Italy
- Founded: 1343
- Location: Pisa, Italy
Established by papal decree, the University of Pisa remains one of Italy’s most respected centers for medical and scientific research. It produced pioneers like Gabriele Falloppio and Marcello Malpighi.
Highlights:
- Historic emphasis on anatomy and surgery
- World-class biomedical research programs
- Integrated teaching hospital and innovation center
Read Also: India’s Oldest Medical College Still Running: MBBS at Just Rs 8000 per Year
These ten universities represent the roots of medical education, institutions that shaped how the world studies and practices medicine today. From the dissection halls of Bologna to the modern labs of Oxford and Pisa, each campus carries a legacy of healing and human progress.
For medical aspirants, especially those exploring MBBS abroad, these historic schools symbolise both academic excellence and cultural heritage, a blend that continues to inspire generations of doctors.
