Crossword Genius

University burning outside former capital (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sorbonne

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'university' is the definition.
(a university in Paris)

'burning outside former capital' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'capital' could be 'bonn' (I have seen 'old capital' mean 'bonn' so perhaps 'capital' could also mean 'bonn') and 'bonn' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'sore' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sorbonne that I've seen before include "Famous part of Paris University with literature and science faculties" , "Parisian institution" , "Parisian university" , "Common name for the University of Paris" , "Non-Boers go over to this French university" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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