It's not nice starting university with key to empty place (4)
I believe the answer is:
ugly
'it's not nice starting' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'university with key to empty place' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'u' (abbreviation for university).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'key' becomes 'g' (musical key).
'to empty' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters).
'place' becomes 'lay' (synonyms).
'lay' with its centre taken out is 'ly'.
'u'+'g'+'ly'='UGLY'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ugly that I've seen before include "Repulsive to the eye" , "Unpleasing to the eye" , "Revolting" , "Visually unpleasant; dangerous (situation)" , "Disquieting" .)