of the New Policies and was used as a template for prefectural schools. The university sat at the pinnacle of the hierarchical system with students advancing from level to level and from school to school based on examinations as well as teachers' recommendations. In 1106 a new "eight virtues" advancement path was introduced, with students recommended for their virtuous conduct spending one year in the prefectural school and then proceeding to the Upper Hall of the university.

The university had 3,800 students in 1103, of whom 3,000 were