At first, Daigaku-ryo mainly taught Confucianism, the study referred to as Myogyo-do (the study of Confucian classics) in later years, but after two educational system reforms in 728 and 730 (through the former, Monjo Hakase [professor of literature] and Ritsugaku Hakase [professor of the law], which was later referred as Myobo Hakase [professor of law], were introduced, and through the latter, the systems of monjosho [students of literary studies], myobosho [students of law studies] and tokugosho [distinguished scholars] were established), the facilities and system of Daigaku-ryo were improved; for example, Daigaku-ryo kugaiden (referred to as Kangakuden (rice fields for schooling) in later years) was introduced, whereby food services were provided to students.
当初は儒教を教える後の明経道が中心であったが、728年と730年の2度の学制改革（前者の改革で文章博士・律学博士（後の明法博士）が設置され、後者の改革で文章生・明法生・得業生制度が発足した）を経て、757年には大学寮公廨田（後の勧学田）が設定されて学生に対する給食が行われるなど、制度の充実が図られた。