Emma Watson was spotted in person at a matriculation ceremony at Oxford University after enrolling on a master’s degree in creative writing.
The 33-year-old Harry Potter actress visited the city’s Sheldonian Theater on Saturday for the gathering that marks the students’ formal admission to university.
Fellow students were happy to see Watson at the event, where she wore a black dress, white blouse and black bow like the other women there.
Speaking to Chron diary editor Richard Eden, one student joked: “It was the first time I’d seen her in a dress since the Harry Potter films.”
Many students are said to have taken or shared photos of the actress who played Hermione Granger in the films, even though photography was officially banned.
Emma Watson is spotted at a matriculation ceremony at the city’s university at the Sheldonian Theater in Oxford on Saturday after enrolling on a master’s degree in creative writing
Fellow students spotted Watson at Saturday’s event wearing a black dress and white blouse
It was also somewhat of a surprise that Watson attended in person, as previous reports had indicated that she would be studying primarily online for her degree.
Watson’s plans to study creative writing were revealed in an interview with the Financial Times in April, where it was reported that she had started writing poetry as well as essays about love, friendship and relationships during the lockdown.
Further details were then revealed last month by The Sun, which reported that her studies would be part-time and largely online.
She is expected to attend “some” lectures on site, with staff reportedly told she would be there with a small security team.
It is also understood she had protection at Saturday’s event, although it is not apparent in any photos or videos.
Last month, a source told The Sun: “The course is aimed at older adults and can be completed on a part-time basis, which suits Emma’s schedule perfectly.”
“She only needs to be on site four to five days a year as she can complete the rest of the course online from home.”
“As she is a famous actress, she is looked after by a security team whenever she has classes.
“There have been a few incidents recently and she is taking all necessary precautions to ensure her safety.”
In the 2011/12 academic year, Watson also spent a year as a student at Worcester College, Oxford.
Students at the matriculation ceremony held at the Sheldonian Theater in Oxford on Saturday
Saturday’s meeting marks the students’ formal admission to Oxford University
Many students reportedly took or shared photos of Watson during the event
This happened while studying English literature at Brown University in Rhode Island, where she graduated in 2014.
The University of Oxford website states that the Masters in Creative Writing course lasts two years and costs £9,025 per year for UK students and £14,155 per year for overseas students.
Watson spent much of her childhood in Oxfordshire, where she lived with her mother Jacqueline from the age of five and attended the Dragon School and Headington School in the city.
Last week, the Chron reported that Watson was with Syrian refugee filmmaker Hassan Akkad – an English teacher in Damascus turned writer and human rights activist – at a lunch in Mayfair.
Watson and Mr Akkad, who arrived in the UK by dinghy in 2015 after an 87-day trip across Europe, enjoyed a date at expensive Italian restaurant Cecconi’s, where starters cost up to £23.
Emma Watson attends the Soho House Awards at Dumbo House on September 7th in New York
Emma Watson starred alongside Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe in the Harry Potter films
One onlooker said: “They seemed very comfortable.” However, Mr Akkad told the Mail yesterday: “She’s out of my league.”
However, Watson was seen hugging him during their lunch and he was later seen carrying her bamboo water bottle – with their initials ECW – as they left the restaurant and drove away in his Skoda SUV.
The two have been close friends since 2017, when they met at a summit in Italy where they both gave presentations.
Watson previously dated California businessman Leo Robinton for two years. She recently dated Sir Philip’s son Brandon Green for 18 months, but the couple split earlier this year.