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Hi there,
I have two questions.
First, are they referring to the same thing.
Mary studied very hard to 'enter university'.
Mary studied very hard to 'study at university'.
Mary studied very hard to 'go to university.'
Mary studied very hard to 'get into university'.
Mary studied very hard to 'go into university'.
Second, what are the differences if I put the article 'a' or 'the' before 'university' in the above sentences?
Mary studied very hard to 'enter university'. Mary had studied hard in order to gain entry into the university. The definite article ‘the’ implies a certain (perhaps famous and prestigious) university, i.e. not any university.
Mary studied very hard to 'study at university'. Mary studied hard at (the) university.
Mary studied very hard to 'go to university.' Mary had studied hard to go a university. She studied hard (in high school) to be able to go to a university.
Mary studied very hard to 'get into university'. Mary had studied hard to get into the university.
Mary studied very hard to 'go into university'. ??
university 
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