Will you become a witch or a wizard with this course?!
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Hold onto your broomsticks and prepare to be spellbound because a British university is conjuring up a degree in ‘magic’ that’ll leave you feeling like you missed your acceptance letter to Hogwarts!
The University of Exeter, in a move that would make even Merlin raise an eyebrow, has unveiled its Masters program in Magic and Occult Science, and trust us, it’s more enchanting than a cauldron full of bubbling potions.
Now, you won’t need a feathered messenger to drop a letter down your chimney. The magic starts now, with applications open for this mystical journey, scheduled to kick off in September 2024. So grab your wands, folks!
What does this magical course offer? Well, it’s like stepping into Diagon Alley for the first time. Students get to dive deep into the fantastical realms of esotericism, witchcraft, ritual magic, occult science, and other enchanting subjects. It’s like having a Marauder’s Map to explore your specific interests in the enchanting history of magic.
But wait, it gets even better! This isn’t your typical classroom experience. Professors are like wizards from various realms, including history, literature, philosophy, archaeology, drama, and religion. It’s like having Dumbledore himself teach Defense Against the Dark Arts while Shakespeare gives you lessons on spellbinding prose.
Now, let’s talk about the courses on offer. You’ve got ‘The Western Dragon in Lore, Literature, and Art,’ ‘The Legend of King Arthur,’ ‘Philosophy and Psychedelics,’ and ‘Esotericism and the Magical Tradition.’ You even get to whip up your own magical thesis as part of your studies. Expecto researchum!
But it’s not all about mystical mumbo-jumbo. Professor Emily Selove, the brains behind this enchanting endeavor, reminds us that magic is more than just pulling rabbits out of hats. It’s a journey into the heart of society’s burning questions—decolonization, alternative knowledge, feminism, and anti-racism. Expect to find some real magic in those discussions.
And where will all this wizardry take place? At the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, where students will gather for monthly meetings and embark on fantastical field trips. Imagine studying magic in the shadow of ancient scrolls and ancient artifacts!
Professor Selove drops a truth bomb: “This MA will allow people to re-examine the assumption that the West is the place of rationalism and science, while the rest of the world is a place of magic and superstition.” So, it’s basically an epic quest to balance the scales of knowledge.
But what about career prospects? Fear not, aspiring magicians! This program isn’t just about turning you into the next Merlin (although that would be cool). It’s designed to equip you with skills for a wide range of professions. Think teaching, counseling, heritage preservation, museum work, libraries, tourism, arts, publishing, social justice, and even environmental think tanks. The possibilities are as vast as the Room of Requirement.
So, whether you’re dreaming of becoming the next Gandalf, a magical researcher, or simply want to add a sprinkle of magic to your career, the University of Exeter’s Masters in Magic and Occult Science is your ticket to a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Ready to unlock the secrets of the mystical universe? Find out more about this spellbinding course and embark on your own magical adventure here!
21 Actors From The Harry Potter Films Who Are No Longer With Us
So many great actors from the series are no longer with us
Calling all fellow wizards and witches, it’s time to raise our wands and remember the magical stars who’ve left us from the Harry Potter universe. Since the very first Harry Potter movie graced our screens in 2001 with “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” we’ve laughed, cried, and cheered alongside a fantastic cast of characters. But, my friends, the bittersweet truth is that not all of them are still with us.
We’ve had to bid farewell to 21 talented actors who brought the wizarding world to life. From the mighty Professor Snape, played by the unforgettable Alan Rickman, to the wise Professor Dumbledore portrayed by the legendary Richard Harris. Even the gentle giant Hagrid, portrayed by Robbie Coltrane, has ventured into the great beyond.
But it’s not just the headlining heroes who have left us. The magic of Harry Potter extends to the supporting cast as well. Elizabeth Spriggs, who played the enchanting Fat Lady guarding Gryffindor Tower, and Verne Troyer, our beloved Griphook, have also passed away.
1) Richard Harris – Albus Dumbledore
Prior to Michael Gambon taking over for the remaining six Harry Potter films, Harris played the grandfatherly headmaster in the first two films and many fans were delighted with the casting as he looked as so many fans imagined!
2) Alan Rickman – Severus Snape
Fans of Harry Potter were very saddened by Severus Snape’s loss, but Alan Rickman’s death was by far a bigger shock. Tragically, the actor passed away in January 2016 after receiving a confidential diagnosis of terminal cancer.
3) Robert Knox – Marcus Belby
In Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Knox, an English actor, played Marcus Belby. Tragically, Knox was fatally stabbed outside a London pub after getting involved in a fight to defend his brother.
Later, a documentary was produced on the actor’s tragic passing and the cast of the Potter films wore ribbons in his memory at the premiere.
4) Elizabeth Spriggs – The Fat Lady
Spriggs was well-known for portraying The Fat Lady, a living portrait who watches over the Gryffindor common area. Comedian Dawn French subsequently took over the part.
5) Timothy Bateson – Kreacher
Prior to his death in 2009, Bateson performed the voice of Kreacher, an elderly house elf, in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
6) Alfred Burke – Armando Dippet
Alfred Burke, who was well-known for his roles as Frank Marker in Public Eye and subsequently as Armando Dippett, Dumbledore’s predecessor at Hogwarts, died in February 2011 at the age of 92.
7) Jimmy Gardner – Ernie Prang
In the third Harry Potter movie from 2004, Gardner, a WWII veteran who had been acting since the 1960s, played Knight Bus driver Ernie Prang.
8) Eric Sykes – Frank Bryce
Frank Bryce, a Muggle who lived in Little Hangleton, the same community which the Riddle family also called home, was portrayed by comic actor Eric Sykes. He worked as their gardener and eventually was the main suspect in the death of the family, but viewers will know he was innocent.
9) Richard Griffiths – (Uncle) Vernon Dursley
Richard Griffiths, a renowned British actor of theatre and cinema recognised for performances in The History Boys, Withnail and I, and Chariots of Fire, was the only person who could have brought Harry’s Uncle Vernon to life and fans loved to loathe him!
10) David Ryall – Elphias Doge
In the 2010 film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Ryall took over Peter Cartwright’s role as Elphias Doge, a member of the Order of the Phoenix but sadly passed away, 2014’s Christmas Day.
11) Dave Legeno – Fenrir Greyback
Fenrir Greyback was a werewolf and Death Eater with a sinister propensity for harming innocent youngsters, as the really die-hard fans would know. Tragically, the actor who played him passed away in July 2014 in Death Valley, California, after appearing in three Harry Potter films.
12) Roger Lloyd Pack – Barty Crouch Senior
Roger Lloyd Pack, who played Trigger in the enduring sitcom Only Fools and Horses, went on to play Barty Crouch Senior, a powerful Ministry of Magic official in the series furing Goblet of Fire.
13) Derek Deadman – Tom The Innkeeper
Derek Deadman, a character actor with more than 40 years of experience in the British entertainment business, created the role of Tom, the barman from The Leaky Cauldron, a pub in Diagon Alley.
14) Terence Baylor – The Blood Baron
The Bloody Baron, a ghost at Hogwarts who was originally a wizard also known as Phillip Strenger, was played by New Zealand actor Terence Bayler.
15) John Hurt – Ollivander
Hurt, a well-known English actor whose career spanned five decades including a pivotal part in the Doctor Who video, played the kind-hearted wandmaker Ollivander in the movie series.
16) Robert Hardy – Cornelius Fudge
Magical Minister Robert Hardy CBE, who had acting credentials in theatre, cinema, and television before his passing in 2017, played Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter movies.
17) Verne Troyer – Griphook
Verne Troyer played Mini Me in the Austin Powers movie, which is perhaps his most well-known role, but he also played Griphook in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone until Warwick Davies took over.
18) Helen McCrory – Narcissa Malfoy
Before her tragic passing in 2021, McCrory had amassed a large following because to her performances in films like Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter series and Polly in Peaky Blinders.
19) Robbie Coltrane – Rubeus Hagrid
The world was in mourning in 2022 after learning of the passing of renowned Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane, who is best known for his role as Hagrid, the affable groundskeeper in the Harry Potter series.
20) Leslie Phillips – The Sorting Hat
Phillips was well-known for appearing in the Carry On films and for lending his voice to The Sorting Hat in the Harry Potter films. He passed away in November of last year after building a successful and protracted acting career.
21) Michael Gambon – Albus Dumbledore (2)
Sadly the news of Michael Gambon’s passing is so sudden and yet he contributed to 6 of the Harry Potter films after taking over from Richard Harris in which he showed a feistier side to the headmaster and fans came to love him. Not to mention his most famous quote ‘Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light’
As fans of the wizarding world, we’ll always cherish the enchanting moments these actors gifted us. Let’s hold onto those memories, rewatch the films, and keep their magic alive in our hearts. After all, “Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home,” as J.K. Rowling once said. And so will the enchanting performances of these dearly departed actors in the world of Harry Potter.
