Heartthrob perhaps turning up at university (5)
I believe the answer is:
pulse
'heartthrob perhaps' is the definition.
'turning up at university' is the wordplay.
'turning' is a reversal indicator.
'at' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'university' becomes 'lse' (London School of Economics).
'up' backwards is 'pu'.
'pu'+'lse'='PULSE'
(Other definitions for pulse that I've seen before include "Series of rhythmic beats" , "enjoyed by vegans?" , "Beat or throb of heart" , "edible seeds of leguminous plants!" , "Pound" .)