The way I was operating, there are several styles of manipulating magic.

For instance, one may specialize in verbal incantation type invocation. Others, like ember, just 'feel' the magic all around them, and bend it with will power alone, but need a focusing object for larger scale influence. The fundamental nature of magic remains the same, but the way one accesses it may differ, be it based on skill, training, nature, or even just preference. 

No matter the means used, there would be trade offs. An evoker type sorc, like my guy, can cast magic while gagged, but needs a focus to do much more than colored lights or making flames pop up on a finger tip. An incantation specialist needs only be able to speak to use magic, but is limited by the verbiage they know. Etc.

Presumably, the academy you go to will offer a universal curriculum, with aptitude testing, to help guide your educational experience, to reach your true potential, with educators and symposia from every major style, and researchers furthering advancement in the art for all major types.

Spiral Origin will make determinations as needed, but he tends to like things being open. That's why I went with this wider, more open view, and the specific types of limit for my char. He's an alumnus, and thus went through that educational system already; he knows how to practice magic on an expert level, but he's ON VACATION, and brought only a light duty focus. Left the big stuff at home. (And is thus hamstrung by circumstance, which is at spiral's discretion.) This wider view permits magic outside the box I painted, in a nearly limitless range of possibilities.  Think about the strengths and weaknesses of your character, then go with the flow.