In this study, I analyze the emergence of different types of higher education institutions in the world from ancient times to the end of the First World War. I will discuss in detail the beginnings and specific institutions of non-European higher education. I divide the development of higher education in the world into five eras. 1 The era of non-European-type universities. 2. The era of medieval universities. 3. The era of religious universities. 4. The era of state, national universities. 5. The era of global universities. In the first four eras, I present the quantitative development and characteristics of universities by continent.