[Grammar] a student at large university

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englishhobby

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In the following sentences are both variants (with and without the article) possible? Is there any difference in meaning?

1) I am currently a student at __ large university with free access to an enormous amount of research papers through the online library system.
2) I am currently a student at a large university with free access to an enormous amount of research papers through the online library system.
 
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emsr2d2

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In that sentence, you need the article before "large university". If you were naming the university, no article would be needed.

I'm a student at a large university ...
I'm a student at Cambridge University ...
 

MikeNewYork

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There is the occasional university that has the definite article as part of its official name. The Ohio State University is one.
 

Tarheel

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You don't need "currently" there.

Say:

I am a student at XYZ University, and I have free access to a large number of research papers through the online library system.
 

Tdol

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And if you change the order, you use the definite article:

The University of Cambridge.

However, this wouldn't sound very natural in the sentence.
 

Peedeebee

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You could also say, "I am a student at University..." (without saying which one)
 

emsr2d2

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You could, although I prefer "I'm a university student". In your example, I wouldn't capitalise "university".
 

Tarheel

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"I am a student at a large university" would work
 

Tdol

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MInd you, the size of the university is not greatly relevant to the question of accessing online materials- most universities access the same system.
 
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