Why studying in Aber is basically like going to Hogwarts

Living in Aber makes you realise JK Rowling based her ideas for the Harry Potter novels on our magical seaside town. There’s just too many coincidences for it to not be true.

We have our very own Hogwarts Castle

The Old College by the seafront bears an uncanny resemblance with Hogwarts Castle. Who cannot see JK Rowling walking along the seafront at sunset, looking at Old College and imagining Harry, Ron and Hermione starting their first days of school in exact this building? The location of the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is set. Enough said.

Professor Snape taught Chemistry here once. Seriously.

Around 130 years ago, a Professor Snape was the “potions master” for Aber’s science department. Henry Lloyd Snape was teaching Chemistry at the Old College in the 19th century. While it’s unclear if he was an equally as hated and mysterious figure as Severus Snape the deceased lecturer’s profession and name are enough for us to believe Aber has a true connection with Hogwarts.

Even the Hogwarts Express stops in Aber

Ever been on the Vale of Rheidol? The classic old locomotive is almost 100 years old, connecting Aberystwyth, Llanbadarn and the Devil’s Bridge. One look at that old-school train and a warm Harry-Potter-feeling will overwhelm you. Driving along the Welsh hills and meadows into the sunset is not just romantic, it makes you feel like you’re approaching Hogwarts in early September with Hagrid waiting at the train station to take all first years across the pond with the giant kraken. Pure joy.

We have our very own Daily Prophet

The online magazine at Aber has some resemblance with the Daily Prophet. No day goes by without Hermione waiting for her owl to bring the most up-to-date news from the outside world, while Ron and Neville discuss the accuracy of the stories and other students get annoyed with the articles published. Well, the Tab is like that, too. Most people happen to complain about it all day long, but at the end of the day everybody reads it to get their latest news update.

Can’t touch this

Isaac’s sweet shop is the Weasley twins’ dream

On a rainy, sad winter’s day, Isaac’s sweet shop on 17 Pier Street is the place to go and buy tons of delicious chocolate, bonbons and candy canes that will make your mouth water. It’s true: they make funny noises and taste like Bertie Botts Every Flavour Jelly Belly Beans. Fred and George would love the atmosphere here. It could easily be mistaken for Weasley’s Wizard Wheezes shop on Diagon Alley.

Ever searched for a Horcrux?

In book seven, Harry and Dumbledore start their joint journey to destroy Tom Riddle – or at least parts of his soul. Remember when they end up searching that rough coastline to find one of the Horcrux needed to finish off the worst wizard ever born to Harry Potter world? Ceredigion area spots plenty of cliffs and caves where one can explore for a hidden Horcrux, magic spells and Inferi. If that doesn’t inspire any HP fan to write some fan fiction, I don’t know what would.

The Triwizard Tournament takes place every year

Once a year all clubs and societies, friends and enemies get together and fight for days to win the tournament that we call Superteams. It’s mostly fun, but you end up covered in mud, tired as hell and knackered like never before in your short life. Whilst we don’t have a nice little house-elf at hand to help us win the task, Superteams is still an events that reminds of the Triwizard Tournament that Harry fights in during his fourth year at Hogwarts. It’s all about friendship, healthy competition and that satisfaction of winning a special event.

The wizards themselves

The Forbidden Forest on the outskirts of campus

Hogwarts Castle is surrounded by a deep, dark and mysterious forest – the Forbidden Forest. It’s not all dark and scary in there though. Our campus accommodation, too, is surrounded by a beautiful, yet vastly undiscovered forest. Well, most students don’t even know it exists, let alone experienced its true beauty. However, on a good day, PJM Forest offers the perfect hiding spot for many students and creatures that need a break from the stressful muggle world out there. Who knows, on a good day you might even spot a unicorn?

Can you spot the unicorn?

And finally, we have had our own unpopular Headmistress

No, I am not talking about Albus Dumbledore, the most beloved Hogwarts headmaster that ever lived. Towards the end of his educational career, Harry quarrels with Professor Umbridge, the pink, cat-loving woman sent by the Ministry of Magic to change Hogwarts. Umbridge failed, because at the end of the day, Hogwarts offers love, friendship and solidarity – and you cannot erase that. April McMahon’s contentious term at Aber uni has been discussed in much detail. There’s only one thing left to say, we can still feel the love, friendship and solidarity on campus.

Faberystwyth