St Dominic arranged for the first brothers to attend classes at the local cathedral school in Toulouse, the location of our first foundation. Subsequently, he sent the brothers to the principal universities of the time: Paris, Bologna and Oxford.

The universities were only in their infancy, but St Dominic saw the necessity of well trained theologians to the advancement of the work of the Order.

This tradition has continued to the modern day where study is central to the ordinary life of every Dominican, and not just to those in initial formation.