Alan Rickman, who plays Professor Snape, receiving an honorary fellowship from his alma mater, University of the Arts London. © Rolf Marriott.

Did you know that a few of the actors in the Harry Potter films are alumni or have received honorary degrees from UK universities?

Other actors are originally from the cities and towns that are home to some of the UK’s top universities.

Magical Alumni

• The director of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and both parts of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, David Yates, is an alumnus of the University of Essex. He received a BA in Government in 1987.

• Actor and director Alan Rickman, who plays Professor Snape, studied graphic design at Chelsea School of Art, University of the Arts London (UAL). He graduated in 1964 and has appeared in over fifty film and stage productions.

• Actor Ralph Fiennes, who plays Lord Voldemort, also attended UAL Chelsea School of Art.

• Frances De La Tour, the actress who plays Madame Maxime, studied at UAL Central Saint Martins School.

• Julie Walters, who plays Molly Weasley, studied English and Drama at Manchester Polytechnic - now Manchester Metropolitan University

• Emma Watson, who plays Hermione Granger, is in the process of receiving her degree from Brown University but will spend her junior year studying at the University of Oxford.

• Jarvis Cocker, front man of the popular 1990s band Pulp wrote the soundtrack for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He also studied at UAL Central Saint Martins School.

• Vicky King, who graduated from UAL  London College of Fashion, worked with costumes and technical effects for both the third and fourth Harry Potter movies. She also works on various other movies and stage productions, including projects for The National Theatre. Other UAL alumni have been heavily involved in special effects, props, and visual effects for the movies

• Bonnie Wright, who plays Ginny Weasley in the films, began studying a BA (Hons) Film & Video at UAL London College of Communication in the fall of 2009.

• Freddie Stroma, who plays the Gryffindor wizard Cormac McLaggen, graduated from University College London in June 2009.

• After choosing drama over law, actor Jason Isaacs studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He plays Lucius Malfoy in the films.

Honorary Degree Recipients

• Sir Michael Gambon, who plays Professor Albus Dumbledore, is an honorary graduate of the University of Southampton. He received the degree in 2003.

• Mark Williams, who plays Mr. Arthor Weasley, is an honorary graduate of the University of Birmingham.

From the Area

• Fred and George Weasley, played by James and Oliver Phelps, are originally from Birmingham -- home to University of Birmingham.

• Matthew Lewis, the actor who portrays Neville Longbottom, grew up not far from University of Leeds.

Find out why the UK continues to be the top study abroad destination for Americans.

More than 40,000 US students chose to spend a summer, semester or year of college in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland last year.