Medieval universities: what and how they studied there and how they spent their leisure time

During the Middle Ages, Europe’s centers of knowledge and education were medieval universities. They first appeared in the twelfth century, providing a venue for scholarly gatherings of young people to study a range of topics. Though the curriculum and lifestyle of the students at these universities were very different from what it is like to attend a university today, they did set the groundwork for modern higher education.

The majority of the courses were taught in Latin and focused on theology, law, medicine, and the arts. Pupils devoted hours to discussing difficult theological and philosophical topics and memorizing books. In contrast to today, education was mostly reserved for men, and those who did attend were frequently descended from aristocratic or wealthy homes.

Beyond their coursework, students delighted in extracurricular pursuits. Many went to social gatherings, took part in neighborhood celebrations, and even played sports. Still, lax regulations occasionally resulted in disorderly conduct and disputes with locals. Despite this, a medieval university provided a special environment for combining rigorous academic study with vibrant social interactions, molding the minds and personalities of those who would go on to have a significant impact on European society.

What and how they taught in medieval universities

  • The first thing any medieval person should know applicant – Latin, and perfectly. It was in Latin that all universities taught, it was the universal language of learned people and ministers of the Church. Therefore, it was possible to study in any of the European countries without fear of a language barrier.
  • Often students traveled to different universities to listen to famous scientists – after all, until the 15th century, when printing became widespread, knowledge was mainly obtained from oral lectures.
  • Most universities had four faculties:
  • artistic (later philosophical), or the faculty of liberal arts,
  • theological,
  • legal,
  • medical.

"Every other faculty came before the artistic faculty.

  • Seven liberal arts were studied there: trivium (grammar, logic and rhetoric), and then quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music). The curriculum also included three philosophies of Aristotle: physics, metaphysics and moral philosophy. Logic was considered the most important subject, since with its help, according to university professors, one can comprehend all sciences.
  • And only then could a student enter the theological, legal or medical faculty.
  • After listening to a certain number of courses stipulated in the statutes, a student could receive a bachelor"s degree, and then a master of arts. Less than half of the students who enrolled in the artistic faculty received a master of arts degree.

Students did not take notes during lectures; instead, they were taught to memorization and subsequently discussed in class.

  • Early in the morning (in summer usually no later than 5 o"clock) they began Mandatory lectures began at dawn (around 5 am), ended by 9 am. Optional (additional, optional) – from 6 to 10 pm.
  • Disputes served as a supplement to lectures. Sometimes they lasted for several days! And it was not boring, moreover, it came to clashes between opponents and their support groups.
  • The main scientific degree was licentia ubique docendi (the right to teach everywhere – lat.). A newly minted master who possessed it could teach at any university.
  • In fact, a graduate of a medieval university who completed a full course, in terms of education, is approximately comparable to today"s doctor of science.

How many years did they study in the Middle Ages

Back then, pursuing a university education required a lengthy process.

In actuality, the art faculty’s curriculum matched the high school curriculum of the day. That’s why, at the age of fourteen or fifteen, they usually started school there.

Individuals who were at least 21 years old were granted a Master of Arts degree. That’s when the "obtaining of a specialty" started.

The quickest path to becoming a doctor was to complete 34 months of study to earn a Bachelor of Medicine degree (after the faculty of liberal arts).

After completing at least 48 months of study at the Faculty of Law, one could earn a bachelor’s degree and a license after an additional 40 months. The studies typically lasted 7-8 years, but usually lasted at least 5 years.

The longest study, however, lasted between 12 and 15 years at theological faculty. Students obtained a variety of degrees during this time, ranging from a cursor (bachelor-tutor) to a licentiate and doctor of theology.

As we can see, a medieval university required ten to twenty years to complete its curriculum.

What They Studied Leisure Activities
Medieval universities focused on subjects like theology, law, medicine, and the arts. Students learned through lectures, debates, and studying ancient texts, mainly in Latin. Students often joined social clubs and participated in feasts, games, and sports. Some also enjoyed music, dancing, and occasionally, local festivals.
Common courses included grammar, rhetoric, logic, and philosophy. Later, subjects like astronomy and geometry were added to the curriculum. Leisure time sometimes involved contests like chess or archery. Some students engaged in drinking and revelry, particularly after exams.

Large portions of the current educational system have their roots in the medieval universities. Students had the chance to learn via debate and discussion in addition to their studies in theology, law, medicine, and the arts. This allowed them to develop critical thinking abilities that are still highly valued today.

Students at medieval universities discovered ways to pass the time when they weren’t studying. They took part in sporting events and other social gatherings, such as feasts and festivals, frequently. These hobbies enabled them to strike a balance between the demands of their studies and their need for leisure and companionship.

Medieval universities fostered well-rounded individuals through a unique blend of intellectual challenge and social interaction, despite having a curriculum and lifestyle very different from those of modern universities. Even today, their leisure and educational customs have an impact on higher education.

Latin was the primary language of instruction at medieval universities, which served as centers of learning for students studying theology, law, medicine, and the liberal arts. Education was frequently inflexible, lecture-based, and heavily weighted toward memorization and discussion. Outside of the classroom, students participated in games, feasts, and even trips to the neighborhood tavern, though they also occasionally got into mischief. Medieval universities shaped the intellectual and social lives of their students by combining rigorous study with lively recreation.

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