The Hogwarts Curriculum

In accordance with the School's ethos of competence in collaboration, the syllabus is devoted to bestowing each and every student with a well-rounded basic magical repertoire upon entry, while allowing them to specialise in the areas which best fit their aptitude once tested. Lessons are generally held between 8am and 6pm, with certain subjects such as Astronomy and extracurricular activities often taking place outside of regular teaching hours. Timetables generally operate on a two-week, eight-period schedule with Friday afternoons dedicated to Club meetings, and Saturday morning remedial sessions issued at the instructor's discretion.


Core W.O.M.B.A.T subjects (Lower School: Years 1-2)

Cardinals

All magical practices of the Hermetic tradition - from brewing potions to casting spells - rely on a common, persistent narrative of symbolism and conventions to function properly in tandem. At Hogwarts, pupils are taught to confidently recognise and apply Common Forms, and understand how they correlate between disciplines by the end of their second year.

Latin

The power of a word increases with its value, and especially so if it withstands the test of time. In addition to understanding terminology in law as well as various other academic and applied fields, an extensive vocabulary in Classical Latin is integral to the appreciation, use and discovery of magical incantations within a contemporary European context. Throughout the course, students will be equipped with the depth of knowledge and skill to recall a wide array of root words to support practical spellwork and comprehension of academic texts.

Sorcery

The theory and practice of casting spells is an extremely rigorous but immensely rewarding area of study. Generally separated into the fields of Charms and Transfiguration, Sorcery is highly regarded as a signature strength of the Hermetic tradition, and is considered by many historians as being wholly responsible for the prominence of European wizardry on the global stage. Pupils are instructed how to properly identify and perform somatics* and incantations in both branches, and are encouraged to expand their library of magical Icons to optimise the effectiveness of their spells.

As a Sorcery-specialist institution, we excel beyond the practical requirements of a W.O.M.B.A.T pass: students will be able to demonstrate a basic proficiency in the casting of radiant Charms and simple inanimate Transforming Spells upon their progression to the Intermediate School.

*Parents are advised that although the Sorcery department does not regulate one's choice of magical focus for practical spellwork, the use of a wand is preferable and highly encouraged due to the nature of the curriculum. Please consult the Suppliers section for a list of officially accredited and Hogwarts-endorsed wandmakers. (MM,FF)

Potioneering

From bursting boils to starting fires, the research and production of magical mixtures has arguably proved itself to be the most profitable field of wizardry, if not the most accessible, since the dawn of history. Renamed in 1937 to mark a novel approach to the subject, the Potioneering department teaches fundamental principles and conventions of preparing potions from a limited selection of recipes, allowing pupils to comfortably grasp best practices with a contextual basis for every direction before being exposed to a plethora of easily forgettable prescriptions. This enables our O.W.L and N.E.W.T candidates to modify existing concoctions with practised ease in the future.

Artificing

The average working magician uses three dozen separate tools in a day. The twin disciplines of Enchanting and Remotations are often considered the lynchpin of the arts of witchcraft, their creations providing access to power and insight that would be otherwise far beyond a mortal Being's reach. By the eve of their W.O.M.B.A.T examinations, students are often well-versed in the art of applying sigils to vessels (or exceptionally, in the case of Remotations, abstract objects)* in addition to the required level of theoretical understanding.

*Of course, the dangers of irresponsible crafting can result in some of the most disastrous consequences known to modern magic. As such, pupils are required to attend regular Health and Safety sessions outside of regular classes to satisfy DME (Department of Magical Education) regulations. (CW)

Theurgy

As a largely inter-faith institution, Hogwarts' Theurgy department encourages a holistic approach to the study of appealing to divine entities and ambient powers for magical favour. Oblations from a wide range of cultures are explored in lessons to provide students with practical experience in encountering unfamiliar occult forces - benign or otherwise - while introductory lessons in Divination are offered to excelling pupils with a view to study the branch at O.W.L level.

Vitalemy

Magic and the phenomenon of life are inextricably linked, from the physiology of Mandrakes to the lethality of dragon-breath (or dragon pox, for that matter!), and ensuring a basic grounding in Vitalemy for all students not only results in a reliable output of Healers, magizoologists and chain apothecaries, but witches and wizards who can recognise life-endangering threats. In the Lower School programme, pupils are introduced to flora and fauna across Western Europe and North America, before they are afforded the opportunity to study a wider breadth and depth in the O.W.L course.

Wizarding Studies

The School acknowledges and takes pride in its status as the globe's premier magical institution*, and extends its gratitude by instilling respect for both history and the wider community in its student body. Alongside the traditional exploration of Fantastic Separatism, medieval wizard-Being relations and the Glorious Expansion, pupils are exposed to foreign magical communities through exchanges, House- and School-wide seasonal Topics, and the Hogwarts Historians' field trips which occur twice a month.

*As of the Derwent World League Table: 1989 Edition


Core O.W.L subjects (Intermediate School: Years 3-5)

Pupils may sit a maximum of sixteen O.W.L.s at Hogwarts, but are advised to attempt no more than thirteen to make time for extra-curricular studies and personal well-being.

Cardinals

One Ancient Language (see Options)

One Wizarding Studies subject (see Options)

BSLA Sorcery License Part I

A requirement of all witches and wizards who wish to perform Sorcery in public areas, the Part I examines focus safety as well as proficiency in the following spells:

- General Counter-spell

- Levitation Charm

- Temperature Charm

- an accredited Lighting Charm

Those who wish to cast spells in Muggle areas are advised to apply for the Part II upon completion.


Optional O.W.L subjects

Abjuration

Magic does not have to be particularly Dark to be used in a hostile manner. Abjuration teaches students how to identify, protect and counter against magical threats from creatures, other wizards and even the environment itself. The School's O.W.L course covers a roster of specific spells, enchantments, rituals and tools which not only defend but prevent against the occurence of magical accidents.

Arithmancy

To the amusement of almost all numerologists, the following discipline is often confused with mathematics by wizards and wandering Muggles alike. Arithmancy is the art of understanding and exploiting the magical properties of numbers. Most applicable in the field of magical probability, it is used by merchants, enchanting firms and Curse-breakers the world over. Due to the sheer depth of interactions possible, this programme is one of the most cognitively demanding subjects in the Hogwarts curriculum.*

*YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. (SV)

Astronomy

Descended from the ancient "operation of the stars" of the early Hermetic tradition, magicians have charted celestial objects for millennia to better understand their effects on the Earth - specifically, its fantastic inhabitants. Students enjoy access to one of the most sought-after observatories in the world, featuring cutting-edge enchanted equipment such as the Theta Centauri telescope and the famous view of the unmolested Hogsmeade skyline.

Ancient Languages (Classical Latin, Ancient Greek, Old Scandinavian, Sanskrit, Middle Egyptian)

Combined or Separate Sorcery (Charms and Transfiguration)

Combined or Separate Artificing (Enchanting and Remotations)

Combined or Separate Wizarding Studies (History of Magic, Fantastic Cultures, Muggle Studies)

Combined or Separate Vitalemy (Herbology and Magizoology)

Combined or Separate Study of Sigils (Study of Ancient Runes and World Sigils)

Combined or Separate Theurgy (Oblations and Divination)

Potioneering


N.E.W.T subjects (Upper School: Years 6-7)

All of the above programmes are offered at N.E.W.T- (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test) level at Hogwarts, though it is strongly advised to attempt no more than seven. Alternatively, students are permitted to propose a treatise to a Master or Deputy Master of department. If accepted, the proposal is developed over the next two years as the basis of a short Apprenticeship, possibly concluding in its presentation to a guild.

Students who find themselves curious about the study of the Dark Arts are urged to visit the resident Consultant at their earliest convenience. (AD,SS)


Optional Wizarding Vocational Qualifications

Arms & Tactics (WVQ Certificate)

Creative Arts (WVQ Certificate)

Flying (WVQ Certificate)

See Extra-Curricular activities for more information.