Academical Degrees, as we know them, appear to have originated at the University of Bologna, in the first half of the twelfth century, and were probably modelled on those given by Justinian to the students of his academies at Rome, Constantinople, and Berytus.

Bayle's account of their origin is as follows: “Irnerius, a German (also called Wernerius, and Guarnerius), Chancellor to the Emperor Lotharius, was the first who renewed the study and profession of Roman Law, after its interruption by the barbarians. He was Professor of Law at the University of Bologna, and is said to have persuaded the Emperor to introduce into that University the creation of Doctors, the forms and ceremonies for which degree he arranged; and the first who were promoted to this honour were Bulgarus, Hugolinus, Martin, Pileus, and some others, who began to interpret and teach Roman Law. The degree of Doctor having thus been established at Bologna, soon spread to Salerno, where degrees were given in Medicine; and to Paris, where they were given in Theology as well as the other two faculties.

Bulæus gives the following account:—“Gratianus was the first collector and compiler of the Decretal Epistles, which he published, and dedicated to Pope Eugene III. (who reigned from 1145 to 1154). But since students had been applying themselves to civil law, Pope Eugene, fearing that canon law might fall into contempt, at the suggestion of Gratian devised certain academical degrees: the Baccalauriat, the Licentiate, and the Doctorate, that by means of these special titles he might induce students to study canon law and might make them eager to obtain the proposed privileges.”