Debacle upset university dons prepared to attend lectures? (8)
I believe the answer is:
educable
'prepared to attend lectures?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.
'debacle upset university dons' is the wordplay.
'upset' indicates an anagram.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'dons' means one lot of letters goes inside another (inserted letters wear or 'don' others).
'debacle' anagrammed gives 'edcable'.
'edcable' going around 'u' is 'EDUCABLE'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for educable that I've seen before include "can take in information" , "as good students should be" , "Capable of being taught" , "Able to be trained" .)