The list of modern universities in Europe (1801–1940) contains all universities that were founded in Europe after the French Revolution and before 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 from 143 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.
^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.
^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.[8]
^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.[10]
^Divided into French and Dutch speaking universities 1968
^Founded as a royal academy in 1842. Recognised as a Hoogeschool with university status in 1905.[13]
^Durham University College of Science 1871. Recognised as a university 1963.
^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.
^Yorkshire College of Science 1874. College of the Victoria University 1887. Recognised as a university 1904.[20]
^Mason Science College 1875. Recognised as a university 1900.
^University College, Bristol 1876. Recognised as a university 1909.
^Opened as a trade school in 1842. Formation of Polytechnic School by merger with other schools in 1869. Elevated to status of Technische Hochschule with university status in 1877 (foundation year acc. university). Current name as Technical University of Darmstadt since 1997.[21]
^Firth College 1879. Recognised as a university 1905.
^University College, Nottingham 1881. Recognised as a university 1948.
^University College, Dundee 1881. College of the University of St Andrews 1897. Recognised as a university 1967.
^University College, Liverpool 1883. College of the Victoria University 1884. Recognised as a university 1903.
^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.
^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.
^Founded as a school in 1913. Recognised as a Hoogeschool with university status in 1937. Current name as Erasmus University since 1973[13]
^Founded as a school of commerce in 1919. Recognised as a Hoogeschool with university status in 1939.[13]
^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.
^Specialist graduate school rather than full university
^Гісторыя Магілёўскага дзяржаўнага універсітэта (1913—1940 гг.): дакументы і матэрыялы / аўт.-склад.: А. Р. Агееў, К. М. Бандарэнка, В. П. Клімковіч; пад агульн. рэд. К. М. Бандарэнкі. — Магілёў: МДУ імя А. А. Куляшова, 2008. — 216 с.
^Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Central Archives, fund 377.
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, ISBN978-0-521-36107-1, 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
