Which real-world subject did J.K. Rowling study at the University of Exeter?

J.K. Rowling studied French and Classics at the University of Exeter. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1987 after completing a course that included French language and literature alongside classical studies.

Her French studies later connected with her work as a teacher in Portugal, where she taught English as a foreign language. Rowling’s education in languages and classical culture also fits a recurring feature of the Harry Potter books: names, spells, and magical terms often draw on Latin, Greek, or other linguistic sources.

A common mistake is to describe her as having studied English literature. Although literature and language are central to her career, her university subject is generally recorded as French and Classics. She then worked in roles including research and bilingual secretarial work before completing the first Harry Potter novel.