Education

Education in Thedas varies depending on race, culture, and class, and from nation to nation.

Human noble education

Among humans of the nobility an education is typically provided by a learned tutor, such as Aldous in the Human Noble Origin. Noble families may often have a Chantry Mother as a member of the household to attend to the religious education of the young. Examples of Revered Mothers attached to noble households are Mother Mallol and Mother Ailis of the Cousland and Theirin houses respectively.

A major facet of noble education appears to be history, as Aldous drills both the human noble and young squires in the household on family history. Reading and writing are naturally part of this education.

Noble households may also boast libraries, as Castle Cousland does.

Notably, a noble education does not necessarily make one a strong scholar, as King Maric is by his own admission a poor reader.

Chantry education

The education provided to those of the Chantry appears on par with that of nobles. Templar recruits are literate and are taught history. Alistair also mentions in Dragon Age: Origins, jokingly, of being able to "count pretty high." Members of the Chantry, by dint of their responsibilities, are naturally literate and well-read, in the Chant of Light if nothing else.

Circle of Magi education

The education of a mage is arguably as extensive as that of a noble, if not more so. Beyond being taught to control their magic, a mage learns of the various schools of magic as well as languages, reading, writing, scrying, etc. A mage's training consists of extensive study of arcane lore. As any Circle of Magi is essentially a war college and standing army, much of a mage's training is also battle magic.

Circles of Magi have massive libraries and are typically the greatest repositories of knowledge in any country. In the Mage Origin in Dragon Age: Origins even Duncan will make note of the splendor of the library of Kinloch Hold in dialogue with a Circle mage player. In Witch Hunt the Warden-Commander travels to the Ferelden Circle in order to complete research due to its immense resources.

Commoner education

Commoners appear to receive little formal education in most countries in Thedas. As such dwarven runes may be used in place of writing in some cases. In other instances tally marks may be used to delineate locations or distances.

Amongst commoners, city elves receive little education, much the same as human commoners. Notably, Cyrion of the City Elf Origin appears to have received some education as he was a servant in Bann Rodolf's Denerim estate.

Notably, Morrigan professes knowledge of history in spite of not having had a formal education.

Dwarf noble education

Dwarven education is given to the privileged few of high caste. Little is known of the nuances of dwarven education but it appears that at least part of it, amongst nobles, is administered by the Shaper. A dwarf commoner may also receive some education as implied by Shaper Czibor in Dragon Age: Origins, though this dialogue may be an error as the casteless clearly receive no formal education.

Casteless dwarf education

Amongst the casteless there is no formal education. However, noble hunters are literate and highly educated in poetry and other skills in order to make them attractive to noble partners. They are arguably the most educated of the casteless.

Dalish elf education

Education among the Dalish appears to be in the main oral, as implied by Hahrens Paivel and Sarel in Dragon Age: Origins, who instruct through the use of lore and storytelling. The Dalish retain their history through oral tradition as well as books in some cases. A clan's First studies lore, magic and history in order to become a successful Keeper. A Keeper is ostensibly a clan's leader and as such is viewed as wise and learned.

Dalish elves hold Arlathvhens in order to reconvene with other clans and to exchange their collected lore.

Among city elves, Hahren Valendrian in the City Elf Origin also acts as an administrator and intermediary between the elves and the city at large, indicating that, in order to fulfill his tasks, he has enjoyed greater education than most city elves are given.

Qunari education

Education amongst the Qunari is administered according to one's role in the rigid society of the Qun. Learning is a core philosophy of the Qunari way of life. In spite of it, many Qunari do not speak the common tongue of Thedas. Amongst Qunari Tamassrans are arguably the most educated, being fluent in many languages in order to educate, or re-educate, converts to the Qun. Tamassrans raise the young, administer their general education, and evaluate them for placement in society.

Known universities

• University of Orlais

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This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.

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• University of Ferelden (if Anora rules alone)