What subject did J.K. Rowling study for her degree at the University of Exeter?

J.K. Rowling studied French and Classics at the University of Exeter.

Rowling began her degree at Exeter in 1983 and graduated in 1987. Her course combined French with the study of the classical world, giving her experience with languages, ancient literature, mythology, and history. She spent part of her course studying in Paris, an experience connected with the French component of her degree.

The subject is sometimes simplified to “French,” but that leaves out Classics, an important part of the formal degree description. Rowling’s books later displayed a fondness for Latin-derived words, mythological references, and invented names, although those features cannot be reduced to one university course.

After university, she worked in roles including research and bilingual secretary work. Her academic background did not directly qualify her as a novelist, but her language training and wide reading became part of the literary toolkit behind the Harry Potter world.