J.K. Rowling studied French and Classics at the University of Exeter.
She enrolled at Exeter in 1983 and graduated in 1987. Her course included French, and she spent part of her studies in Paris as an assistant teacher. Her knowledge of classical languages and mythology later became relevant to the names and ideas used throughout the Harry Potter books.
Rowling has described her university years as important preparation for writing, although the Harry Potter idea had already begun forming before she attended Exeter. After graduation, she worked in several roles, including for Amnesty International, before moving to Portugal and later returning to the United Kingdom.
Exeter is in Devon in southwest England. It is sometimes confused with Oxford or Cambridge because those universities are strongly associated with British literary culture and appear in discussions of Rowling’s education. Rowling did not attend either of those institutions. The University of Exeter has since recognized her connection with the university through honorary and alumni-related distinctions.