Getting Into Hogwarts University: Ultimate Guide

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (also known as Hogwarts University or simply Hogwarts) has become one of the most popular schools on the planet since the mid-1990s. It has also been one of the most admired and respected wizarding institutions in the world of magic since the 10th century.

One of the most prominent schools in the world and other realms, too, is Hogwarts University. To attend it, one must receive the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter. Muggles and everybody else may also try applying to it through the Common App, as well as enroll in one of its traditional or online programs.

Thinking about attending Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger’s alma mater?

Below, we will talk about just about everything you need to know about gaining admission into Hogwarts University. And if you fail to get an offer just because you are not a child of magic or your overall application is not strong enough for the school’s admissions officers, we will mention a few alternatives to the institution — so keep reading!

Is Hogwarts University an Accredited School?

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is accredited by and registered with the International Confederation of Wizards. This accrediting agency slash wizarding intergovernmental organization is the same body that has accredited all 11 prestigious wizarding institutions all over the planet.

When applying to colleges and universities, it’s of utmost importance to check if they are accredited.

The good news is that Hogwarts University is a fully accredited school. You can rest assured that the institution and its various wizarding programs have met or even surpassed international standards — the accrediting agency responsible for the school’s accreditation, the International Confederation of Wizards, is an international accrediting body.

Other well-known wizarding schools accredited by ICW are:

SCHOOL OF MAGIC	LOCATION
Beauxbatons Academy of Magic	France
Castelobruxo	Brazil
Durmstrang Institute	Scandinavia
Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry	US
Koldovstoretz	Russia
Mahoutokoro School of Magic	Japan
Uagadou School of Magic	Uganda

Besides its traditional wizarding programs, Hogwarts University’s online programs are accredited by the International Confederation of Wizards, too. Read on if you are interested in earning an online degree from the elite institution.

Does Hogwarts University Offer Online Programs?

There are online Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry programs, all of which are accredited, too, by the International Confederation of Wizards. Many of the online programs the school offers also have programmatic accreditations, which means that they are legit and respected by employers.

Non-traditional students could benefit tremendously from earning online degrees.

When Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger were students at Hogwarts University in the early 1990s, the internet was already in existence.

However, it was only in the late 1990s when online learning experienced rapid growth, which is probably why the three best friends had no choice but to attend school in the traditional manner.

It’s a good thing that Hogwarts University online exists nowadays. While just about anyone who gets invited to attend the well-known wizarding school may choose to attend classes online, non-traditional students are the ones who can benefit the most from completing their chosen wizarding programs in the comfort of their homes.

Unfortunately, not all Hogwarts University courses offered since time immemorial are available via the internet. Some of the most popular online courses the school offers are:

• History of Magic
• Potion Making
• Herbology
• Transfiguration
• Dark Arts Defense

Does Hogwarts University Require SAT or ACT Scores?

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has a test-optional policy. This means that students may or may not provide their SAT or ACT scores when applying. International students, however and as always, have to submit their standardized test scores.

Whether you failed to take the SAT or ACT or are unhappy with your score, there is no need to worry that Hogwarts University will rescind its offer for you to attend it.

That’s because the prestigious wizardry school is the test-optional kind, which means that it doesn’t mandate applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores.

If you submit yours, it will be used as an admissions criterion. Otherwise, Hogwarts University’s admissions officers won’t ask you to explain or disadvantage you in the admissions process.

Do you live outside the UK? Are there no wizarding schools near you? Do you feel that the most accessible option isn’t a good fit? Then if you wish to attend Hogwarts University as an international student, unfortunately, you will have to take the SAT or ACT and submit your score, too.

The good news is that the school has a holistic admissions policy. This means that, during the admissions process, your entire application will be taken into account, not just your standardized test score.

Can AP or IB Classes Increase Acceptance Rate?

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, like many institutions for higher education, has a penchant for applicants who took college-level courses. The more challenging the AP or IB classes, the better. As an international student applying to Hogwarts University, IB classes are more ideal.

You don’t need to be in college just to earn college credits. You can earn them while still in high school by taking AP or IB classes. You may also do so by taking the AP exam without necessarily taking AP courses.

Since you are interested in applying to a school somewhere in the UK, it’s a wonderful idea for you to take IB classes rather than AP classes.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), which is a higher education expert in the UK, IB graduates have higher chances of getting accepted into the UK’s most prestigious institutions.

It’s true that taking AP or IB classes can increase your chances of gaining admission into Hogwarts University or any other four-year institution. However, you should not lose hope if your high school doesn’t offer college-level courses. Colleges and universities know this, which is why AP or IB classes are optional.

This is when the importance of knowing how to cast some of the easiest spells in the wizarding world comes in. Knowing one or more of the following is a great alternative to taking AP or IB classes:

• Engorgio
• Reducio
• Confundus
• Muffliato
• Cheering Charm
• Expelliarmus
• Alohomora charm (unlocking charm)
• Accio
• Lumos
• Nox

Does Hogwarts University Offer Early Decision?

Magical children receive their Hogwarts Acceptance Letters around July, giving them just enough time to prepare for September 1, the start of classes. Interested students who haven’t received theirs yet or feel that they might not get one may try applying ahead of everybody via Early Decision.

Based on 2019 data, the average acceptance rate at UK colleges and universities is 71%. That’s slightly higher than the average acceptance rate at US institutions: 68%, according to US News — well, at least based on all the schools the popular college ranking site has ranked.

Each academic year, Hogwarts University accepts around 143 students.

Most colleges and universities are able to fill 40% to 50% of their available classes with early applicants.

So, in other words, if you apply Early Decision to the prestigious wizarding school, you could end up as one of the 57 to 71 students who gain admission into the school even before the rest apply via Regular Decision.

Needless to say, you can have increased chances of becoming a Hogwarts University graduate by completing the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), which is the Common App for college-bound kids in the UK, earlier than getting your hands on the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter.

Hogwarts University Rankings

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is the fourth-best wizarding school on the face of the planet. It comes after Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, which comes after Mahoutokoro School of Magic. Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is located in the US, is number one.

Earning a degree from a high-ranking institution can easily make one’s resume irresistible to most employers.

It doesn’t come as a surprise why, according to a 2020 article that appeared on Harvard Business Review, which is by a publisher that’s a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harvard University, graduates of prestigious colleges and universities tend to not only perform better but also get paid higher.

However, there are also a few downsides to being from a top-notch school, according to the same article. For instance, graduates of elite institutions are prone to conflict and less likely to identify with their team.

This is why just because Hogwarts University is not considered the number one wizarding school in the world doesn’t mean right away that it’s not something that you should consider going to for the best possible career after graduation. Choose based on your personal preferences and not the preferences of wizarding institution ranking sites.

Even though up to two-thirds of students applying to colleges check out rankings, the fact is that only one-fifths consider rankings to be very important when it comes to deciding where to apply and enroll.

Visiting Hogwarts University’s Campus

The best way to pay the campus of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry a visit is by means of a virtual tour. This is to avoid wasting one’s precious resources as those who are not meant to know the presence of the elite wizarding school would only see a ruin with a sign that says “keep out”.

Students attending Hogwarts University can get to and fro the institution through the Hogwarts Express, which is a train that departs from a magically hidden rail platform at King Cross Station in London.

In rare instances, students may also ride on a centaur’s back to get in and out of the top-notch school.

Since Hogwarts University is in a location that cannot be plotted, students who wish to apply to it without riding the Hogwarts Express are likely to miss it no matter how hard they try to locate it. However, it is for certain that the school is situated in the UK, particularly in the highlands of Scotland.

It’s because of this why a campus visit is best done virtually, in the comfort of your home. It allows you to determine whether the campus is right for you without wasting your time and energy and the school’s magical resources.

Checking out Hogwarts University’s campus is a form of demonstrated interest, which is something that can increase admissions chances.

That’s because admitting applicants showing interest can boost the yield rate — the percentage of students offered admission that enrolls. A high yield rate helps make Hogwarts University look more desirable.

US Schools Similar to Hogwarts University

Various colleges and universities in the US look similar to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Some of them include Bryn Mawr College, Yale University, Cornell University and the University of Chicago. Besides being similar in appearance, they also rank high like Hogwarts University.

Did not receive an elusive Hogwarts Acceptance Letter or hear from Hogwarts University’s admissions officers after submitting your application via the Common App? Fret not.

That’s because there are many four-year US institutions that resemble Hogwarts University appearance-wise.

Due to their similarities in architectural design, walking in their hallways can give you the same feeling that Harry Potter and his two best friends must have felt the first time they stepped foot in Hogwarts University.

What’s so nice about these colleges and universities is that they are also some of the best schools in the US. This is why many Hogwarts University aficionados and those who haven’t heard of it alike dream of attending them.

So, in other words, gaining admission into any one of them allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds — a unique academic experience similar to what you will get at the real deal and a degree that potential employers in practically all industries admire and respect.

Without further ado, let’s take a quick look at some US schools similar to Hogwarts University:

• Bryn Mawr College. Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, Bryn Mawr College has a suburban campus type whose buildings feature the Jacobean Gothic style, which is similar to the style of both Oxford and Cambridge — we will talk about these elite UK institutions in a few, so don’t stop reading now.

• Yale University. Since it’s the fourth oldest university in the US and the 17th on the planet, you can rest assured that being a Yale University student can make you feel like you are attending Hogwarts University. Make sure that you treasure every academic year as a bachelor’s degree at Yale University usually takes only four years to complete, instead of the usual seven years at Hogwarts University.

• Cornell University. The Ivy Leagues are some of the oldest institutions in the US. This is why another one of those prestigious schools is on this list: Cornell University. The minute you pay its campus a visit, its building’s gothic architecture will immediately remind you of Hogwarts University’s unmistakable charm.

• University of Chicago. Situated in Hyde Park, the University of Chicago is undeniably one of the most Hogwarts University-like campuses in the US. Many of the top-notch school’s buildings also have head-turning gargoyles on their façade. Certain parts of the campus are quiet and isolated, too, thus making it seem like Lord Voldemort will appear out of thin air!

UK Schools Similar to Hogwarts University

Since Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is located in the UK, it isn’t surprising why a lot of colleges and universities in the area look similar to the wizarding school. Some of them include King’s College London, Durham University, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge.

Is it your dream to become an international student in the UK? If it seems like Hogwarts University won’t be sending you a Hogwarts Acceptance Letter anytime soon, don’t despair.

That’s because there are many alternatives to the magical school that are also situated in the UK when it comes to looks.

What’s more, several of them are admired all over the planet, which is why going to any of them can make you feel like you are a Hogwarts University student and also turn you into a marketable degree holder.

And since they are located in the UK, you will find it less stressful to try to transfer to Hogwarts University after a few semesters or a couple of years at your chosen university.

Should your Transferee Application Form reach Hogwarts University’s admissions office and its admissions officers decide to welcome you into the campus, all you have to do is get to King Cross Station in London and wait for the Hogwarts Express to appear and give you a ride — no need to fly thousands of miles from the US!

And now, here are four of the most Hogwarts University-esque UK colleges and universities:

• King’s College London. Since the fastest way to get to Hogwarts University is through King Cross Station in London, it makes perfect sense for you to attend King’s College London. The old and distinguished institution may not teach you how to cast spells alright, but it offers awesome programs that can wow potential employers, such as Health Sciences, Social Sciences, Law and the Humanities.

• Durham University. It’s not just the campus of Durham University that can remind you of Hogwarts University due to its medieval legacy but also its location. What’s more, one of the colleges of the institution is in Durham Castle. This means that you get to study and live in an actual ancient castle!

• The University of Oxford. In the 2021 Top Universities in the UK by QS World University Rankings, the University of Oxford is number one. The same institution is one of the leading UK schools that resemble Hogwarts University. It looks very similar to the world-famous wizarding school — so much so that its Duke Humfrey’s Library is the same library where Harry Potter sneaked into sporting his cloak of invisibility!

• The University of Cambridge. Established in the early 1200s, the University of Cambridge is one of the oldest institutions on the face of the planet. The elite school’s libraries, dining halls, ancient chapels and 13th-century courtyards can make your four-year stint feel like you are a certified Hogwarts University student.

Just Before You Enroll at Hogwarts University

I hope that you enjoyed reading this article as much as I enjoyed writing.

Of course, Hogwarts is not real, but there are real colleges that are very close in architecture and the opportunities they provide for students.

Read our reviews of colleges similar to Hogwarts:

• Yale University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Cornell University
• University of Chicago
• The University of Oxford
• The University of Cambridge