European research universities date from the founding of the
University of Bologna in 1088 or the
University of Paris (c. 1160–70). In the 19th and 20th centuries, European universities concentrated upon
science and
research, their structures and philosophies having shaped the contemporary
university. The original
medieval universities arose from the Roman Catholic Church schools that became “the university." Their purposes included training
professionals, scientific investigation, improving society, and teaching critical thinking and research. External influences, such as
Renaissance humanism (c. mid-14th century), the
Age of Enlightenment (18th century), the
Protestant Reformation (1517), political
revolution, and the discovery of the
New World (1492) added
human rights and
international law to the university
curricula.