Emma Watson to return to Brown University

Emma Watson, who left Brown University to pursue her career, announced she will be returning to the Ivy League next year.

Emma Watson arrives for the premiere of the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" in New York July 11. Watson will be returning to Brown University despite leaving the school to pursue her career.

Lucas Jackson/Reuters

July 19, 2011

"Harry Potter" star Emma Watson says she plans to return to Brown University to complete her degree.

The British actress who plays Hermione Granger in the "Harry Potter" series tells The Virginian-Pilot that she remains enrolled at Brown even though she'll study at England's Oxford University in the fall.

She says intends to return to Providence in 2012 to complete her studies at the Ivy League school.

The 21-year-old Watson left Brown earlier this year, saying she wanted to devote her time to the final "Harry Potter" film and other acting opportunities.

The final chapter in the series premiered last week, setting box office records. It took in an estimated $168.6 million domestically from Friday to Sunday. That beats the previous best opening weekend of $158.4 million for 2008's Batman blockbuster "The Dark Knight."