Education

Education in Thedas varies depending on race, culture, class, and location.
In general, common folk receive little formal education in most countries and thus are illiterate. To compensate for this, many cultures use tally mark systems used to delineate quantities, locations, and distances. In sharp contrast to this, those who work as servants in noble estates receive extensive education, at least enough that is sufficient to perform their tasks and not make the noble they serve seem inept.
Exceptions to this generality can be found below.

Human nations

Andrastian Chantry

The education of those of the Chantry is on par with that of nobles. Templar recruits are taught literacy and history in addition to their martial training and religious education. Members of the Chantry, by virtue of responsibilities, are naturally literate and well-read, at least enough so to read and comprehend the Chant of Light.
Many local Chantries provide some instruction to their followers and allow access to their texts. Chantry members may also pursue scholarship. The most well-known Chantry scholar is Brother Ferdinand Genitivi, lecturer and author of numerous texts and travelogues. Other scholars, particularly those adventurous and bold, search for ancient artifacts and scrolls.

Circle of Magi

The education of a Circle mage is as extensive of 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, and healing among. A mage's training consists of extensive study of arcane lore.
Much like the Chantry, the Circle of Magi encourages scholarship and publishes the completed research. Examples of this are the botanical writings of Ines and the spirit research of Rhys. Through their education and scholarship, mages are considered some of the most educated members of society and as such may sometimes function as advisers in royal courts, particularly in Orlais.
Circles of Magi have massive libraries and are typically the greatest repositories of knowledge in a given country, though access is naturally limited.

Rivain

Though the idea hasn't had much time to grow yet, Rivain's Queen Lucia Campagna has begun a policy where her people are required to have some form of education. Their children must learn how to read, write, and understand basic mathematics. The only form of higher education that exists beyond that is in cultural studies. Rivaini children, if they wish to learn, are taught about the vast and different people that span across Thedas. The teaching of philosophy is critical to this endeavor.
This policy hasn't spread further than out of her capitol, Dairsmuid, but there are attempts to make this a public institution accessible for all children.

Slaves

It is an unfortunate truth that though looked down upon and considered illegal in most nations, slavery is still a truth of the world. In general, slaves are illiterate though they are sometimes offered education to increase their selling price.
To make up for this lack of instruction, slaves in close proximity develop their own pictograms as a way to warn other slaves of things such as a master's temperament and other practical uses related to their society. These symbols go largely unnoticed by their owners and have a local significance, thus the same image might mean different things to different groups.

Nobility

Among nobility, an education is typically provided by a learned tutor. Noble Andrastian families may often have a Chantry Mother as a member of the household to attend to the religious education of the young.
A major facet of noble education appears to be history, though some also pride teaching their children mathematics, sciences, or arts as well. Reading and writing are naturally part of this education. A noble education does not necessarily make one a strong scholar however, as some children just appear to be poor readers. Martial training is also a component of the education of nobility, as nobles are expected by their commoners to defend them and their territories. Gender plays little to no influence in the schooling children receive.

Dwarves

Dwarven education in Orzammar appears to be given to those with caste. Portions of it, amongst nobles, may be administered by members of the Shaperate. Martial training appears to be a major element of dwarven education, with the best trainers being retained by noble households.
The Shaperate is arguably the largest repository of history and knowledge. Its resources were once available to any dwarf in order to pursue both personal and professional research. However, since Orzammar closed its gates to surface-folk, the Shaperate is inaccessible to any dwarf who does not live in Orzammar. Noble households may serve as patrons for Shaperate scholars.

Goliaths/Qunari

Education amongst the Goliaths, for those who are members of the Qun, is administered by specific instructors. Their society has rigid structure, allowing for one to only learn as much a certain things that would be relevant to their role.
These goliaths, regarded as Qunari, see learning as a core philosophy to their way of life. In spite of it, many Qunari do not speak the common tongues of Thedas. Amongst Qunari, there is a group section of their people who are incredibly well-educated: being fluent in many languages in order to educate, or re-educate, converts to the Qun. These Qunari raise the young, administer their general education, and evaluate them for placement in society.

Dalish elves

Education among the Dalish is entirely oral and instructed through the use of lore and storytelling. The Dalish retain their history through this oral tradition and, in some rare cases, in books. 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.

Notable repositories & universities

• Shaperate of Orzammar
• The Circles
• Archive of the Crows in Antiva City
• University of Orlais in Val Royeaux
• House of Contrive in Antiva