in the university 是指较抽象的意思,如表示上大 学时,在上大学期间等 
at the university 表示在大学校园内,较具体 
at the university
in the university
at university
in university
都可以泛指大学。但是,at the university 和in the university 还可以特指某个大学。
例句:
1、 Trouble is boiling up in the university. 这所大学正在酝酿着动乱。
2、 He was appointed professor in the university for life. 他被任为那所大学的终身教授。
3、 He has made considerable progress in his studies at the university. 他在大学的学业上有了长足的进展。