Courses in 'Harry Potter' and 'ethical hacking' offered by universities

Half Blood Prince

Students are being given the chance to take a course in Harry Potter as part of a degree at one of Britain’s top universities, it has emerged.
 Undergraduates can learn about Griffindor and Slytherin – and what they teach about prejudice and intolerance – during the education studies course at Durham, it was revealed.

Other modules include Hogwarts and the “commodification of education".

The disclosure was made in an analysis by the consumer group Which? into the most “out-of-the-ordinary” degree options in Britain.

The Which? University website also highlighted a course in “ethical hacking” at Abertay Dundee, where students will learn about dynamic internet systems and working with gadgets.

A theatre practice (puppetry) course at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London gives students the chance to receive tuition in animation and manipulation and puppet-making, it emerged.

Other unusual degrees included one in international spa management, with others in Viking studies, brewing and distilling, applied golf management, equestrian psychology and sports science, cruise management and adventure education.

Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said the list was “no April Fool’s joke”.

“It shows that students at UK universities have countless options nowadays,” he said.

“But with higher tuition fees than ever before, it’s important that people applying to university do their homework and choose the course and university that is right for them.

“Which? University gives people free access to impartial information and advice so they can more easily make this choice.”