At or In University
At university
The preposition "at" is used to indicate location or position, and it is commonly used with institutions, such as universities, colleges, and schools. When used with the noun "university", the phrase "at university" indicates that someone is a student or employee of a specific university. Take a look at the following examples:
I am currently studying at the University of Oxford.
He is a nerd, he spends most of his time at university.
In University
"In university" is not a common usage in English. However, "in university" can be used in certain contexts to refer to the general experience of being a student at a university, rather than a specific location. Have a look:
I studied English Literature in university.
I learned a lot during my time in university.
British vs. American
In British English, the phrase "at university" is more commonly used than "in university" to refer to the experience of studying or working at a university. This is because "in university" can imply a physical location within the university, such as a building or department.
However, in American English, the phrases "at college" and "in college" are both commonly used to refer to the experience of being a student at a college or university.
Quiz:
Which phrase is more common in American English to describe being a student?
At university
In university
At college
In college
Which of the following uses "at university" correctly?
I am studying computer science at university.
I studied computer science in university.
I am currently working at university as a professor.
Both 1 and 3
Which preposition is incorrect in British English usage?
She is at university now.
He spent his weekends in university.
They are currently teaching at university.
None of the above
In which situation would you most likely use "in university"?
Referring to your experience as a student.
Talking about being inside a university building.
Mentioning someone who teach a university course.
Both 1 and 2
Which of the following sentences use "at university" incorrectly?
I am currently studying at the University of Cambridge.
He works at university as a lab assistant.
She learned how to code at university.
I spent most of my evenings in university.
Which phrases describe someone currently studying at a university incorrectly?
At university
In university
At college
In college
Sort the following sentences into the appropriate categories.
Fill in the blanks using "in" or "at".
The phrase "
university" implies someone is physically present in university buildings or departments.
He spends most of his time studying
university because he is preparing for final exams.
I had a wonderful experience
university, learning both academics and life lessons.
Fill in the appropriate preposition ("at" or "in") based on the context provided.
Refers to studying or working at a specific university | |
Describes the general experience of being a university student | |
Can imply physical location within the university |
Comments
(3)
Recommended
