J.K. Rowling studied French at the University of Exeter before completing her degree.
Rowling entered Exeter in 1983 and studied French and Classics. As part of the course, she spent a year in Paris, an experience that combined language study with time living in France. She graduated in 1987.
Her French studies are a biographical fact distinct from the many invented languages, spells and names in the Harry Potter books. Some readers infer that Rowling studied Latin because of the Latin-like form of several spells, but her degree is generally described as French and Classics, with Classics accounting for her background in ancient languages and literature.
After university, Rowling worked in London for Amnesty International and later taught English in Portugal. Her education, travel and employment all preceded the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 1997. French is therefore the specific university language associated with her degree, rather than Spanish, German or Italian.