Course Offerings:
Flying Required for First Years
A special class teaching the basics of flying on a broom.
Astronomy
The study of the stars, planets, and other celestial bodies. Not to be confused with astrology, which is an aspect of Divination.
Charms
Considered by many to be the most fundamental field of magic, Charms teaches spells that enchant objects, people, or creatures to behave in a way that isn't normal. It is also something of a catch-all category for spells that don't qualify as Transfiguration spells. Note that charms are generally positive in nature, as opposed to curses, which have negative effects — though it could be said that both forms of magic are two sides of the same coin.
Defence Against the Dark Arts
"D.A.D.A." teaches students how to protect themselves from Dark magic and creatures, from blocking hostile hexes to learning how to recognize and overcome werewolves and boggarts. (Note that the Patronus Charm is very advanced magic, and is not taught in the Hogwarts curriculum.)
Herbology
The study of magical and mundane plants and fungi. In Herbology, students learn to care for and utilize plants and learn about their magical properties, and what they are used for. Many plants provide ingredients for potions and medicine while others have magical effects of their own right.
History of Magic
The study of magical history, including names, dates, and locations significant to the wizarding world.
Potions
In Potions class, students learn to mix magical ingredients into elixirs and brews to produce a variety of wondrous effects when consumed.
Transfiguration
The magic of changing the form and appearance of a subject. This is the field of study in which the rare wizard can learn to become an Animagus.
Once you reach your third year you will be able to choose among a number of electives. Keep in mind, however, that to graduate you must pass your OWLs for four out of the seven core courses and to be eligible to take the OWL for a particular course, you must have received 4 passes in that course. To Graduate, you must have passed the OWLs for at least 3 core courses and 1 elective/NEWT.
Arithmancy
A magical discipline that studies the magical properties of numbers, including using numerology to predict the future. This application of Arithmancy is much more structured and scientific than traditional Divination, though whether it is more accurate is hotly debated.
Care of Magical Creatures
This course teaches students about the properties, behaviors, habitats, and domestication of magical creatures, such as unicorns, hippogryphs, and blast-ended skrewts. Dark creatures are covered in Defense Against the Dark Arts.
Divination
The art of recognizing omens and portents, and predicting the future. Divination uses a variety of means, including crystal ball gazing, reading tea leaves, tarot spreads, and astrology. Naturally gifted Seers frequently study Divination as a means of learning to control and interpret their talent.
Muggle Studies
In this class, students learn about Muggle culture and history.
Study of Ancient Runes
Frequently shortened to simple "Ancient Runes," this is the study of runic scriptures or Runology. Ancient Runes is a mostly theoretical subject that studies the ancient runic scripts of magic.
Once you have reached your sixth year, Apparition will become available for you to take. It is not a required course. It's an extra-cost (12 Galleons) course taught by a Ministry wizard, rather than by a school employee, and is taught outside of regular hours. No grades are given in the course; rather, once you determine you are ready and have passed the Wizarding age of majority, you may take an Apparition test from a Ministry examiner. The school Apparition lessons are not required to take the test and are not sufficient to ensure a pass in the exam though they surely help.
