A mosque and madrasa founded in Fez, Morocco, in 859 CE, traditionally credited to Fatima al-Fihri, that grew over the following centuries into a major centre of Islamic learning teaching logic, grammar, medicine, astronomy and mathematics alongside religious sciences. UNESCO and Guinness World Records recognise it as the oldest continuously operating degree-granting institution of higher learning in the world.
Facts
Founded YearFounded as a mosque in 857-859 CE; reorganized as a modern state university under Moroccan law in 1963. UNESCO and Guinness World Records recognize the 857-859 founding for its claim to be the oldest continually operating institution of higher learning. Ownership Type Ranking Band Classification
Institution Type FAQs
What is the oldest continuously operating degree-granting university?
The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, founded in 859 CE.
The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez, Morocco, founded in 859 CE by Fatima al-Fihri, is recognized by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest existing, continually operating degree-granting institution of higher learning in the world. It began as a mosque and center of learning attached to the Qarawiyyin Mosque and became a state university within Morocco's modern university system in 1963.
Connections
Associated With
Both cited independently as among the oldest continuously operating degree-granting institutions in the world; al-Qarawiyyin (859) is recognised by UNESCO and Guinness World Records as the oldest, Al-Azhar (970) as Egypt's oldest and one of the oldest worldwide. Associative comparison, not a derivation or founding link.
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Al-Azhar University (Wikipedia)Al-Azhar University article, lead section, oldest degree-granting university claim
Founded By
The traditional and UNESCO-recognised account credits Fatima al-Fihri as founder. Some modern historians note her individualised biography is attested only in sources written centuries after her lifetime and treat the personal details with caution; see the linked open question.
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Wikipedia: University of al-QarawiyyinLead section
In the Other Atlases
Located In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is located.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: University of al-Qarawiyyin
Wikimedia FoundationUniversity of al-Qarawiyyin, lead section
It was founded as a mosque by Fatima al-Fihri in 857-859 and subsequently became one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Islamic Golden Age.
Lead section
UNESCO and Guinness World Records have cited al-Qarawiyyin as the oldest university or oldest continually operating higher learning institution in the world.
intro of the article
It was incorporated into Morocco's modern state university system in 1963 and officially renamed "University of Al Quaraouiyine" two years later.
Wikipedia lead, institution-kind classification
The University of al-Qarawiyyin (Arabic: جامعة القرويين, romanized: Jāmiʻat al-Qarawīyīn), also written Al-Karaouine or Al Quaraouiyine, is a university located in Fez, Morocco.
View the Source 2. Wikipedia
Wikimedia Foundation- Founded Year: 859
- Country: Morocco
3. Center for World University Rankings: CWUR World University Rankings 2025
Center for World University RankingsGlobal 2000 list 2025, introductionQuote, Global 2000 list 2025, introduction
21,462 institutions were ranked, and those that placed at the top made the Global 2000 list.
Wikidata: University of al-Qarawiyyin
- Wikidata Q378014, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Wikidata Q378014, class allow-list match (w-bbfill-education6-0927)
View the SourceAl-Azhar University (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Al-Azhar University, Al-Azhar University article, lead section, oldest degree-granting university claimQuote, Associated With: Al-Azhar University, Al-Azhar University article, lead section, oldest degree-granting university claim
Founded in 970, and associated with the Al-Azhar Al-Sharif religious institution in Islamic Cairo, it is Egypt's oldest degree-granting university, and one of the oldest universities in the world.
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