Can You Study Alchemy in College? Guide to Academic Alchemy

By Alex Assoune Jun 18, 2025

Alchemy, often seen as an ancient blend of mysticism and early science, continues to spark the imagination of spiritual seekers, scholars, and historians. While it conjures images of medieval laboratories, cryptic symbols, and the elusive Philosopher’s Stone, the question arises in our modern world: Can you study alchemy in college?

The answer is nuanced. While traditional alchemy—particularly spiritual and symbolic alchemy—is rarely taught as a standalone discipline, aspects of it are absolutely studied in higher education under different academic umbrellas. In this article, we explore how, where, and in what ways you can study alchemy in a college setting.

Panaprium is independent and reader supported. If you buy something through our link, we may earn a commission. If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you will be making a big impact every single month. Thank you!

What Is Alchemy, Really?

Before diving into academic options, it helps to clarify what we mean by “alchemy.” Alchemy is not a single subject—it encompasses multiple traditions, including:

Material alchemy: The historical practice involving chemical processes to purify, transmute, or create substances like the Philosopher’s Stone or elixirs.
Spiritual alchemy: A metaphorical process of inner transformation, often aligned with Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Kabbalah.
Psychological alchemy: Popularized by Carl Jung, this framework uses alchemical symbolism to describe inner development and individuation.
Taoist alchemy: Involves energy cultivation, meditation, and body-spirit refinement, often studied in Eastern traditions.

Most colleges don't offer a major titled “Alchemy,” but many teach it as part of programs in philosophy, history, religious studies, psychology, literature, and chemistry.

Academic Fields That Cover Alchemy

1. History of Science

Alchemy is frequently studied as a precursor to modern chemistry and medicine. You’ll explore:

Medieval and Renaissance science
Islamic Golden Age contributions
Alchemy’s influence on Enlightenment thought

Example courses:

Alchemy and the Scientific Revolution
Ancient and Medieval Science
Magic, Science, and Religion in Europe

Where to study:

Harvard University – Department of the History of Science
University of Cambridge – Department of History and Philosophy of Science
Stanford University – Program in History and Philosophy of Science

2. Religious Studies and Western Esotericism

Alchemy is central to many esoteric traditions like Hermeticism, Gnosticism, and Kabbalah. Some universities offer courses or entire degrees focusing on the Western mystery traditions, which include alchemy.

Topics covered:

Hermetic philosophy
Gnostic cosmology
Alchemical symbolism in religious texts
Mystical transformation of the soul

Leading programs:

University of Amsterdam – MA in Western Esotericism (one of the only academic degrees focused on Hermetic and alchemical traditions)
Rice University – Gnosticism, Esotericism, and Mysticism (GEM) concentration
University of Exeter – MA in Magic and Occult Science (launched in 2024)

These programs approach alchemy critically and historically, not from a practical or mystical standpoint—though they do study how practitioners understood it.

3. Philosophy and Hermetic Thought

The philosophical side of alchemy is often studied in courses on Neoplatonism, Hermeticism, and natural philosophy. These courses explore the worldview that saw the universe as a divine organism, with alchemy serving as a bridge between the material and spiritual realms.

Courses might include:

Hermeticism and Renaissance Thought
Neoplatonism and Early Modern Philosophy
Alchemy and the Occult in Western Philosophy

Schools like the University of Chicago, University of Oxford, and École Pratique des Hautes Études (Paris) explore these areas within humanities departments.

4. Psychology (Jungian Studies)

Carl Jung considered alchemy a symbolic map of psychological transformation. He used alchemical imagery—like calcination, conjunction, and the Philosopher’s Stone—to describe the individuation process.

If you're interested in this angle, look for:

Graduate programs in Depth Psychology
Courses on Jungian analysis
Institutes such as the Jung Institute of Zurich or Pacifica Graduate Institute (California)

While these programs don’t teach practical alchemy, they explore its metaphorical application to the psyche.

5. Literature and Art History

Alchemy has influenced poetry, art, and literature for centuries—from Shakespeare to Goethe, Blake to Dalí. You can study how alchemical themes shaped culture and symbolism through the ages.

Topics include:

Alchemy in medieval and Renaissance literature
Symbolism in alchemical manuscripts
Artistic depictions of the Great Work (Magnum Opus)

Schools with strong medieval/Renaissance humanities departments like Yale, Columbia, and Warburg Institute (UK) often include these studies in art, literature, and intellectual history tracks.

Can You Study Practical or Spiritual Alchemy in College?

Mainstream colleges don’t typically offer courses in practical alchemy—that is, hands-on laboratory alchemy or spiritual alchemical transformation as a formal study. These forms are mostly found in:

Private spiritual schools
Mystery schools
Independent workshops or online courses

However, some colleges may allow you to pursue this independently through:

Interdisciplinary degrees: Create your own curriculum that blends religious studies, philosophy, and psychology.
Independent study projects: Work with a mentor on a thesis or research paper exploring alchemy.
Study abroad programs: Some European institutions or monasteries offer cultural and spiritual immersion related to esoteric alchemy.

Examples of Academic Programs and Courses

University	Program/Course	Focus
University of Amsterdam	MA in Western Esotericism	Hermeticism, Alchemy, Occultism
Rice University	GEM Program	Gnosticism and Alchemical Mysticism
University of Exeter	MA in Magic and Occult Science	Magic, Alchemy, Witchcraft
Harvard University	History of Science courses	Alchemy in early modern science
Pacifica Graduate Institute	Jungian Psychology	Psychological Alchemy

Non-Traditional Paths to Learning Alchemy

If you’re drawn to practical or spiritual alchemy, here are alternative ways to learn:

1. Mystery Schools and Hermetic Orders

Organizations like:

Builders of the Adytum (B.O.T.A.)
Rosicrucian Order AMORC
The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn

They teach symbolic and practical alchemy through correspondence courses, rituals, and meditations.

2. Alchemy Guild (AlchemyGuild.org)

An international organization dedicated to preserving alchemical knowledge. Offers:

Workshops
Online courses
Publications

3. Books and Self-Study

Some of the best alchemical education comes from:

The Emerald Tablet (translated by Dennis Hauck)
Alchemy: Science of the Cosmos, Science of the Soul by Titus Burckhardt
Real Alchemy by Robert Allen Bartlett (lab alchemy)
Initiation into Hermetics by Franz Bardon (practical esoteric training)

4. Online Learning Platforms

The Hermetic Academy
The Philosophical Research Society
Mystery School of the Goddess (Taoist and spiritual alchemy)

These may not be accredited, but they provide deep experiential learning.

Will a College Degree Help You Become an Alchemist?

A college degree won’t make you a practicing alchemist in the mystical or magical sense. However, it will give you the historical, symbolic, and philosophical context to approach alchemy with depth and intellectual grounding.

If your goal is inner transformation, artistic expression, or understanding the hidden threads of Western thought, academic study can be a powerful foundation. You can then apply that knowledge through spiritual or personal practice.

Final Thoughts: Blending Academia and Inner Alchemy

So, can you study alchemy in college? Yes—if you know where to look and what to look for. Universities offer rich opportunities to explore alchemy as a historical, philosophical, religious, and psychological tradition. But the path of practical and spiritual alchemy often lies beyond the classroom—in sacred texts, esoteric schools, and personal experience.

For the modern seeker, the best approach may be a blend of academic learning and spiritual practice. One gives you structure and understanding; the other gives you transformation and insight. That’s true alchemy in action.

Was this article helpful to you? Please tell us what you liked or didn't like in the comments below.

About the Author: Alex Assoune

Alex Assoune (MS) is a global health and environmental advocate. He founded Panaprium to inspire others with conscious living, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Alex has worked in many countries to address social and environmental issues. He speaks three languages and holds two Master of Science degrees in Engineering from SIGMA and IFPEN schools.

What We're Up Against

Multinational corporations overproducing cheap products in the poorest countries.
Huge factories with sweatshop-like conditions underpaying workers.
Media conglomerates promoting unethical, unsustainable products.
Bad actors encouraging overconsumption through oblivious behavior.
- - - -
Thankfully, we've got our supporters, including you.
Panaprium is funded by readers like you who want to join us in our mission to make the world entirely sustainable.

If you can, please support us on a monthly basis. It takes less than a minute to set up, and you will be making a big impact every single month. Thank you.