Studium Generale is the old name for a medieval university which was registered as an institution of international excellence by the Holy Roman Empire. Most of the early Studia Generali were found in Italy, France, Britain and Spain, and these were considered the most prestigious places of learning in Europe. The Vatican continues to designate many new Universities as Studia Generali, although the popular significance of this honour has declined over the centuries.

As early as the 13th century, scholars from a Studium Generale were encouraged to give lecture courses at other institutes across Europe and to share documents, and this lead to the current academic culture seen in modern European universities.