Boyfriend outside university runs office (6)
I believe the answer is:
bureau
'office' is the definition.
('bureau' can be a synonym of 'office')
'boyfriend outside university runs' is the wordplay.
'boyfriend' becomes 'beau' ('beau' can be a synonym of 'boyfriend').
'outside' is an insertion indicator.
'university' becomes 'u'.
'runs' becomes 'r' (cricket abbreviation).
'u'+'r'='ur'
'beau' placed around 'ur' is 'BUREAU'.
(Other definitions for bureau that I've seen before include "Writing desk with drawers" , "Chest of drawers or office" , "Government department, agency" , "Foreign office" , "Piece of furniture with drawers" .)