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Surfing, Taylor Swift and Minecraft - what do they have in common?

Turns out they are all subjects you can study at university!

This week the University of Essex announced that their psychology department was launching a Minecraft laboratory - where students can design and carry out studies within the popular online game.

This got us wondering what other courses are universities offering that you might not expect?

Minecraft Psychology Lab

A lab has opened at the University of Essex to give students at the chance learn, research and build experiments within Minecraft.

Dr van Tilburg, who is leading the project, said:

"Although it might seem unusual, gaming forms an increasingly important part of people's social network and behaviour.

"Hundreds of millions of people around the world live, laugh, and learn through gaming - and how we interact online is an increasingly major area to research," he said.

"What attracts players to Minecraft also interests me as a researcher."

Taylor Swift and Literature

Are you ready for it?

If you are a HUGE Swiftie you might know that there are some universities in the United States who offer students the opportunity to study the impact of global superstar Taylor Swift.

But more recently, a university in the UK created a summer school course to give British students the opportunity to study a bit closer to home.

The course at Queen Mary University of London was 150 hours long, and asked students to submit a 2500 word essay as well as a class presentation!

A great opportunity for Swifties who feel they know the singer All Too Well.

Surf science and Technology

With the amount of beautiful beaches in the South West of England its no wonder that Cornwall College offer the opportunity to study surf science.

The school's website says that they can offer teaching through "lectures and practical workshops" - meaning that not all lessons take place in the middle of the sea.

The course includes subjects as varied as Wave Mechanics, Board Anatomy and the Value of Surfing to Society.

Radical.

Needlework and embroidery

If you're someone who likes to get a bit crafty, then you might be pleasantly surprised to know there's a whole university - not just one course - dedicated to the study of needlework.

The school is so renowned, they have worked on hand-stitching robes and clothing for five coronations since 1902.

The Royal School of Needlework also has a pretty incredible location - Hampton Court Palace in London!

They also have locations in Glasgow, Durham and Bristol as well as Japan, Australia and the US.

The school says they offer "the only full time BA (Hons) Degree programme specialising in hand embroidery in Europe".