The University of Mustansiriyah

The University of Mustansiriyah (Arabic: الجامعة المستنصرية) is a public university located in Baghdad, Iraq.

The original Mustansiriyah Madrasah was established in 1227 (or 1232/34 A.D. by some accounts) by the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mustansir and was one of the oldest universities in the world. It was a major center of learning and scholarship during the Islamic Golden Age, and attracted students from all over the Muslim world.

The Mustansiriyah Madrasah was destroyed by the Mongol invasion of Baghdad in 1258, but was rebuilt in the 14th century. It continued to operate as a madrasah until the beginning of the 20th century, when it was closed by the British authorities.

The modern Mustansiriyah University was established in 1963 by the Republic of Iraq Teacher's Union. It was initially a small evening school, but it quickly grew in size and importance. In 1968, it was granted the status of a full university.

Today, Mustansiriyah University is one of the largest and most prestigious universities in Iraq.

The history of the University of Mustansiriyah is a long and distinguished one. It has played a major role in the development of Islamic learning and scholarship, and continues to be a leading institution of higher education in Iraq.

The University of Mustansiriyah is ranked as the #2 top university in Iraq during 2025. This is the same rank as last year.