Alchemy (class)

Alchemy
Class information
Required equipment	Wand (presumably)

Alchemy was an elective course taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The course was open to sixth and seventh-years if there were enough students interested in taking the subject. The ancient science of Alchemy focused on the study of nature's four basic elements (fire, earth, air, and water), as well as the transmutation of substances (such as base metals into gold).

Graduates from Uagadou were known to be well versed in Alchemy, so presumably the subject formed a significant part of the school's curriculum.

Behind the scenes

• As revealed in Pottermore, J. K. Rowling had originally devised Alchemy to be compulsory from the first year.
• It is unknown whether there are any minimum requirements for taking the subject. Any subject taken at O.W.L. level can only be continued at N.E.W.T. level if they achieved a high grade in the subject, but Alchemy cannot be taken until N.E.W.T. level. There is a chance that the student may need a grade in a related subject or that everyone is given the chance to study it if they want to.
• It could be that Alchemy and other specialised subjects are merely advanced specific branches of both the core and elective classes, which can be taken by everyone, regardless of having achieved an O.W.L. and/or the required high grade.

Appearances

• Pottermore (First mentioned)
• Wizarding World (Mentioned only)
• Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery (Mentioned only)