The first universities emerged in the 12th century in Europe.

The primary purpose of the early universities was to provide a liberal education, which included the study of the seven liberal arts: grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy.

The University of Bologna is considered to be the oldest continuously operating university in the world, having been founded in 1088.

The guilds played an important role in the development of universities by regulating the curriculum and teaching methods.

Pope Gregory IX issued the bull that officially recognized the University of Paris in 1231.

The Magna Carta granted universities the right to self-governance, which allowed them to set their own curriculum and teaching methods.

The University of Salerno was the first to establish a medical school in the 9th century.

The scholastics played an important role in the development of universities by developing new methods of teaching and learning, writing textbooks and commentaries on classical works, and engaging in debates and disputations.

The University of Bologna was the first to establish a law school in the 11th century.

The Renaissance led to a renewed interest in classical learning, encouraged the development of new disciplines, and led to the establishment of new universities.

The University of Mainz was the first to establish a printing press in the 15th century.

The Protestant Reformation led to the establishment of new universities, encouraged the development of new disciplines, and led to a renewed interest in classical learning.

The Accademia dei Lincei was the first to establish a scientific society in the 17th century.

The Enlightenment led to a renewed interest in science and reason, encouraged the development of new disciplines, and led to the establishment of new universities.

The University of Berlin was the first to establish a research university in the 19th century.