An university?

i'm a teacher, and i have a question!

Why do we say "a university" and not "an university"? I know the rule, an before words starting with a vowel, but this isn't the case.

I have a recollection about something to do with open-sylabules?

Thanks!

Although university begins with the vowel "u", it's pronounced /ju/

'a' or 'an,
a = in front of words beginning
with consonant sounds
an = in front of words beginning
with vowel sounds
an is also used in front of the
following words beginning
with "a silent H"
heir heiress hour hourly honour honourable honorary honest
a is used in front of words with 'u' sound: university, useful, unity, utility, Europe etc.
a is also used in front of words with 'wa' sound : a one way street
There is also this : an MP an FA Cup winner

Quote:

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Originally Posted by melo

'a' or 'an,
a = in front of words beginning
with consonant sounds
an = in front of words beginning
with vowel sounds
an is also used in front of the
following words beginning
with "a silent H"
heir heiress hour hourly honour honourable honorary honest
a is used in front of words with 'u' sound: university, useful, unity, utility, Europe etc.
a is also used in front of words with 'wa' sound : a one way street
There is also this : an MP an FA Cup winner

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Those are good rules. I would change this one:
a is used in front of words with 'u' sound: university, useful, unity, utility, Europe etc.

They don't start with a "u" sound (uncle, upper, etc.), they start with a /ju/ or yu sound.