As a teenager Emma Watson had to drop her original plans to go to university, taking a gap year to film the final Harry Potter movie.
But now, with an English degree from Brown University in the US and a master's in creative writing from Oxford under her belt, she is on her way to becoming Dr Watson after starting a PhD.
The 34-year-old star began her doctoral studies at Oxford in September, with the creative writing course understood to last three years.
The move prompts speculation that she will go on to write her own books, following in the footsteps of Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling.
A source at the university revealed: 'She mingles among other students, and blends into the background. But she does attend social events and is often spotted with her books and her boyfriend at local coffee shops.
'She started last year – she loves Oxford and has made a happy life for herself there.'
It is understood Ms Watson met boyfriend Kieran Brown at the university. He is reportedly working towards a PhD in 19th century literature and economics.
The pair were previously spotted on a date at an Oxford bakery where onlookers told the Daily Mail they had 'a nice vibe'.
+2
View gallery
Harry Potter star Emma Watson, 34, began her doctoral studies at Oxford in September and has promptedspeculation that she will go on to write her own books
+2
View gallery
Watson played the role of the studious perfectionist Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies from 2001-2011, after J.K Rowling's books were adapted for the big screen
The source added that Ms Watson 'has very much made Oxford her home for the next few years' and, with her estimated fortune of £67 million, she could easily afford the grandest mansions in the city.
But she has surprised fellow students by opting for a modest terrace home.
The daughter of lawyers, Ms Watson spent most of her childhood in Oxford, attending Dragon School and all-girls Headington School – both private schools – and achieved straight A grades at A-level in English literature, geography and art.
The actress was just nine when she was cast as Hogwarts swot Hermione Granger in the big-screen adaptation of Ms Rowling's hugely successful series.
Plucked from a line-up in her school gym, Ms Watson quickly became a household name as one of Harry Potter's best friends across eight blockbuster films.
In 2008 the Daily Mail reported that she had decided to put her acting career on hold once the final Potter film, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, was complete so that she could go to university.
The actress admitted: 'I would like to go to university and complete a degree, and so that will mean a break from acting. I've always tried to balance my education with my acting career, but I just don't think it will be possible to juggle it with a degree course.'
