Copernicus' Education

Since Copernicus' father died when he was 11 years old, Lucas Watzenrode the Younger, his uncle looked after him and saw to his education. Copernicus first got sent to St.John's school, were his uncle had been a master.  He then got sent to the Cathedral School at Włocławek, up the Vistula River. This prepared him for the  University of Kraków.

Despite Copernicus going to a lot of universities, there is no record of him earning a bachelor's degree. From 1491-92, Copernicus studied at  the University of Kraków with his brother, Andreas. Copernicus studied Astronomy under the wing of Albert Brudzewski. The two formed a wonderful relationship with each other and shared many interests.

Copernicus and his brother then went to Italy in 1497 and studied at the University of Padua. There it is said that he gave private lessons on astronomy. He later moved on to the University of Bologna. In Bologna he met Domenico Maria Novara, who was his Astronomy and mathematics professor. Together the two came up with theories of the universe. While other people's theories during the Renaissance were based on Christian law, Copernicus' were based on scientific facts.

Today, there is an university dedicated to Nicolaus Copernicus in Torun.