Why does my boyfriend get mad and distant when I mention University?

He is scared. You are moving onward and upward with your life and he hasn't found his niche yet. Please, please, please go forward with your plans to go to University. And choose the best one for your education, not the one closest to the boyfriend who may or may not be around a few years from now. If he truly loves you, he will want you to succeed and will support you in that. Sounds to me like he is being very selfish and only wants what works for him, despite what it might mean to your future. If you cater your life around him, you will find yourself doing that for the rest of your life, and it can be very unfulfilling. Do what's best for you and if he loves you enough to last for the duration, then he will be there for you when you are done.