 The university or universities he attended are not known.Until 1295, Nicholas was referred to as Nicholas of St Andrews ("de Sancto Andrea"), but in February of that year he began to be called "de Balmyle", one source referring to him as "de Balmyll dictus de Sancto Andrea" ("de Balmyle" called "de Sanctoandrea").It is probable that he adopted "de Sancto Andrea" when he finished training at St Andrews and went elsewhere, and that he dropped it in 1295 when he moved back.