The oldest university in Argentina began as a Jesuit college for religious studies.

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1613, the National University of Córdoba is a historic pillar of Latin American education. Known as La Docta, or The Wise, this autonomous institution evolved from a Jesuit seminary into a massive, non-selective public university that has shaped generations of Argentine leaders, scientists, and intellectuals for centuries.

The university traces its roots to 1610, when the Society of Jesus established the Collegium Maximum in Córdoba. Initially, this institution served only students of the Jesuit order, focusing exclusively on philosophy and theology. It gained the authority to confer degrees in 1621 through a papal document from Pope Gregory XV, which officially arrived in the city in April 1622. For over a century and a half, the university remained under Jesuit control, maintaining a strictly religious curriculum until the order was expelled by King Carlos III in 1767.

Following the Jesuit expulsion, leadership transitioned to the Franciscan order and later to the secular clergy. The late 18th century marked a significant shift in academic scope, as law studies were introduced in 1791. By the mid-19th century, the institution underwent nationalization, and the curriculum began to modernize rapidly. Under the presidency of Faustino Sarmiento, the university expanded into the sciences, recruiting foreign lecturers and establishing schools for medicine and exact sciences. Theological studies were finally eliminated in 1864, signaling a complete transition toward secular, scientific inquiry.

A defining moment in the university's history occurred in 1918 with the University Reform. This student-led movement championed autonomy, co-governance, and the democratization of education, sparking a wave of change that spread across Latin America. Today, the university remains a massive public entity, financially supported by taxpayers but governed by its own internal regulations. It is non-selective, requiring only that applicants pass a leveling test with at least 60% accuracy. The university's legacy is cemented by its alumni, including multiple Argentine presidents and governors, and its physical campus, which includes the UNESCO-recognized Jesuit Block.

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