A spell in Paris: aspiring magicians should head to the capital

Double Fond, a Parisian theatre specialising in magic, is offering a state-approved degree in magic.

It is the first of its kind to receive official recognition, according to the French.

The degree offered in the French capital is open to both students from France and abroad.

The tuition fee for the degree is 17,820€, which was approved by the government in 2018. It involves 550 hours of lessons, and 2,800 hours of homework. 

While the standard degree length is two years, an accelerated one-year degree is also available for fast learners. 

Within the last year, 13 degrees were awarded, with a further 15 students set to take examinations next month. 

The examinations include performing before a jury, writing papers on subjects such as the history of magic, self-promotion, and managing a magician’s business.

It took us five years to convince the state to recognise the profession of magician as a proper profession

–Adeline Galland

The degree has been met with unexpected success. Adeline Galland, the Head of Teaching said: “We had no idea how much interest there would be when we set this up – but in fact, we’ve had students coming from across France and some from other countries as well.”

“It took us five years to convince the state to recognise the profession of magician as a proper profession.”

“We had to show that it was a true profession with very precise skills, and we had to produce written documents showing what those skills were.”

“These are people who are passionate about magic, and who have at last found a degree that corresponds to their passion. We are of course open to the English too,” she added.

One student from the University of Warwick commented: “It’s an interesting idea, and I think it would be fun to participate in the lectures”. 

“But I do think that it’s a little pointless – unless of course you want to become a magician”, they added. 

Another one said: “I think a magician is a unique career path, and we should maybe have a degree like that in the UK”.