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Green’s Dictionary of Slang

university n.

constr. with a proper name, prison.

1595		‘W.S.’ Lamentable Tragedie of Locrine III iv: Mistresse nicebice, how fine you can nickname me, I think you were brought up in the vniuersity of bridewell.
1707		N. Ward Wooden World 92: He has been for many Years a close Student in both the Universities of Newgate and the Gate-house.

In compounds

university of life (n.)

the fig. ‘college’ attended by those who claim personal experience as infinitely superior to academic knowledge; also attrib.

[1688		J. Crowne City Politicks V i: craf.: Where did you take your degree — in Beargarden? dr.: In a learn’d university, sir. craf.: I’ the University of Coffee-houses, the University of Lies].
[1851		R.S. Surtees Young Tom Hall 5: The major [...] had long taken an M.A., degree in all that relates to the ways of the world].
1907		Southern Pacific Co. Passenger Department Sunset Mag. Vol. 18 454: As for the need of a different course of study to fit for the ‘university of life’, that subject has been discussed for over ten years.
1910		F.P. Dunne Mr Dooley Says 119: Taking a post-grajate coorse in our cillybrated univarsity iv th’ Wicked Wurruld.
1977		E. Torres Q&A 164: Yeah, I know all about that university-of-life shit.
1989		M. Amis London Fields 330: He went to the university. Okay. But he done know fucking nothing.’ [...] ‘Whereas yourself, Keith, a student of the university of life . . .?’.