History

Explore History, Politics & Economics

Whether you’re fascinated by the past, wishing to keep up to date with current affairs, or to develop a deeper understanding of democracy and capitalism, we have the course for you.

City Lit offers a wide range of history, politics and economics courses on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Our courses vary from skills-based courses on oral and family history projects, to the history of empire, the history of London and the study of global powers and international politics.

Gain critical thinking and analytical skills

Courses in the Humanities help you understand our world today, and the history that has informed the political, social and economic dynamics of modern times. Our courses, including short day courses, lectures and longer-term study over several weeks or whole terms, aim to inform you of the issues that interest and matter to you. Our courses also encourage the development of wider skills such as critical thinking and analysis, listening and discussion skills, and evidence-based interpretation.

Learn from expert tutors

Our tutors are experts in their fields and come from a range of backgrounds, and include academics, experienced educators, serving politicians, acclaimed authors and renowned guides.

Browse our range of courses below to choose your perfect option: both complete beginners and returning students are equally welcome.

Courses available both in-person and online

We offer a range of long and short courses allowing you to choose between in-person and online learning.

Learn in the centre of London with our in-person courses. Our purpose-built facilities in Covent Garden mean we are ideally located and easy to get to. 

See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, we've got the class for you.

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  1. Medieval London 1000-1350: the archaeology of a capital city
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 6 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Stuart Brookes
    This one day course looks at a period that fundamentally shaped London as a city, from the laying out of a new town within the old Roman city wall to the rapid growth of the 11—13th centuries.



    Includes an introductory lecture and guided walk.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  2. Oral Storytelling and Historical Narratives
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 17 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Maame Blue
    Using Afro-Caribbean oral storytelling techniques, Black British history and contemporary literature, develop your creative writing and narrative storytelling abilities with this 6-week online course.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £66.00
  3. Global History Friday Lates: The Medieval Spice Trade
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 26 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    Join our Global History Friday Late session to discover how spice became the most valuable trade commodity in the pre-modern world that would ultimately lead to the discovery of America.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
  4. Black internationalism in the heart of the Empire – History walk
    Course start date:  Tue 30 Jul 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Want to learn more about the history of Black activism and anti-colonialism? Join A. S. Francis to learn more!
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
  5. Empresses and Khatuns
    Course start date:  Tue 16 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    Travel across Europe and the Eurasian steppe to compare and contrast the role and status of Greek empresses with Seljuk and Mongolian khatuns.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £95.00 Concession £77.00
  6. An introduction to African and diaspora studies
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 16 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Gabriel Olumide Apata
    The course explores the many ways by which Africans came to be dispersed across the world and their political, socio-cultural experiences in their new societies.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  7. Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
  8. A history of global capitalism
    Last Few Places
    Course start date:  Wed 17 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Vina Theodorakopoulou
    Want to understand the history of global capitalism. Join Dr. Vina Theodorakopoulou to learn about the historical transitions towards what we know as capitalism today – evolution of capital, the role of the state, labour, competition, race, and innovation-automation.
    Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00
  9. The Caribbean World, 350CE to 1450CE
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 22 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Terrence Maxwell
    Explore the vibrant history of the Caribbean from 350CE to 1450CE in this enriching course. Uncover the culture, trade networks, and historical transformations of this captivating region.
    Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00
  10. From the 1880s to the 1930s: how the new East End was born
    Course start date:  Tue 23 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  David Rosenberg
    In an area branded 'the hell of poverty', libraries, theatres, art galleries and social housing were established. Workers went on strike and activists campaigned for better lives. Discover this history by taking actual, guided walks through six tumultuous decades of change. The first session is in the classroom at Keeley Street but all other sessions are guided walks. Full details of the meeting places for each walk will be given at the 1st session. 6 guided walks with 2 Zoom sessions.
    Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00
    Rating:
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  11. Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
    Rating:
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  12. Village London
    Course start date:  Wed 24 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Paul Sinclair
    London is made up of a series of villages, each with its own individual characteristics. Explore Shoreditch, Mayfair, Bermondsey, Notting Hill, Clerkenwell, Islington, Harrow on the Hill and Wapping,in 8 guided walks.



    First meeting place:meet at Shoreditch High Street station.
    Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00
    Rating:
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  13. The old Jewish East End
    Course start date:  Mon 6 May 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    Today the London Jewish community is associated with areas to the North West and North East of London but this tour explores the area where Jewish people settled from 1656 onwards. Take a guided walk through the streets of the East End to reveal old synagogue buildings, a soup kitchen , markets, shops, businesses and homes associated with London’s Jewish community. We’ll hear about some of the personalities associated with the area from philanthropists to performers.



    Meets outside Liverpool Street Station , Liverpool Street Exit outside the upper concourse of the stationby the Kindertransport Memorial next to McDonalds.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
  14. Art Deco London walk
    Course start date:  Thu 20 Jun 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Diane Burstein
    Travel back to the 1930s to explore the Art Deco style that influenced a variety of designs, from radios and cutlery to places related to travel, entertainment and commerce. In addition to looking at the architecture of the period, your guide will tell stories of life in London from the time these buildings were being erected.



    Meeting outside St James’s Park tube station (Broadway exit) and finishing at the coach station. Meeting outside St James’s Park tube station (Broadway exit) and finishing at the coach station.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
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