A bird getting to university is able (6)
I believe the answer is:
toucan
'a bird' is the definition.
(toucan is a kind of bird)
'to university is able' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'U' (abbreviation as in UMass).
'is able' becomes 'can' (if you can do something, you are able to do it).
'to'+'u'+'can'='TOUCAN'
'getting' is the link.
(Other definitions for toucan that I've seen before include "Bird with large colourful beak" , "One with huge bill" , "Sounds as if a pair is able for the tropical bird" , "exotic bird" , "Fruit-eating bird" .)