The world's oldest medical school still in operation
In short: While many prestigious institutions claim ancient roots, the University of Montpellier holds a unique distinction: it is the world's oldest medical school currently in use. From medieval theories on the Black Death to modern hepatitis screening, its legacy has shaped centuries of human health and legal thought.
The university's medical history dates back significantly further than its formal 1220 founding. Evidence suggests that excellent physicians were already practicing at Montpellier as early as 1137. The school's growth was accelerated by the Guilhem Lords of Montpellier, who enacted a policy in January 1181 allowing any licensed physician to lecture. This created a massive influx of teachers from across the Mediterranean region, providing students with an unparalleled variety of medical instruction.
The institution has survived radical shifts in scientific understanding and political upheaval. In the 14th century, Montpellier doctors famously argued that the Black Death was caused by 'miasma' entering the body's pores—a theory based on Galen. This belief led them to advocate against bathing, fearing it would open the pores to the plague. Despite such early misconceptions, the school remained a hub of rigorous study, even housing famous figures like Rabelais and expelling Nostradamus in 1529 for practicing the 'manual trade' of apothecary.
Today, Montpellier remains a global leader in medical research and education. It is ranked among the top 200 universities globally (Academic Ranking of World Universities 2026) and was ranked first in France in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2022. Modern research at its facilities includes decentralized testing for Hepatitis C (HCV) using dried blood spots, a strategy that accounted for over 56% of infections identified in their laboratory during a five-year study from 2020 to 2024.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: University of Montpellier
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