Culture, history & humanities

Explore Culture, History & Humanities Courses

Explore our extraordinary range of History, Culture and Writing courses and lectures. We offer both introductory and specialist in-depth courses to suit all levels of interest and experience, from ‘How to read a film’ and World literature, to Creative non-fiction writing courses and American history and Politics courses.

Our tutors are experts in their fields and experienced educators; many have published, teach in universities or share their expertise in the media. Tutors share their knowledge and passion through presentations, readings, interactive discussion and exercises, analysis, and other activities.

Many students return to take more courses, telling us they enjoy being part of our City Lit Learning community.

Our popular courses often sell out quickly, so we invite you to browse and book your place now.

Courses available both in-person and online

Join us in the heart of London for in-person classes. Our modern campus in Covent Garden is easy to reach and buzzing with creativity. With modern purpose-built facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, it’s the perfect space to support your learning journey. Explore our facilities >

Prefer learning online? Our live online courses bring expert teaching to you, wherever you are.

Whether you choose to study in-person or online, all our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. Wherever and however you want to learn, we’re here for you.

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.

 

We're delighted to share with you part of our upcoming Autumn term Culture and Humanities programme; please note that we expect the full Autumn Term programme to be on the website by the middle of May so check back soon!

 

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  1. Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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  2. In Conversation with Hallie Rubenhold
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 14 May 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Join us at City Lit for an event with Hallie Rubenhold to celebrate her new book, Story of a Murder: The Wives, The Mistress and Dr Crippen. Hosted by City Lit Principal Mark Malcomson CBE, the conversation will focus on Hallie's feminist retelling of the infamous true-crime story of Dr Crippen. The event includes an audience Q&A, followed by a drinks reception and book signing.

    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
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  3. A taste of economics with Vince Cable: politicians who changed the narrative on economics
    Course start date:  Wed 14 May 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Join Dr Vince Cable, former minister and party leader of the Liberal Democrats, for a session on a brief overview of politicians who changed the global narrative on economics.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  4. The philosophy of race
    Course start date:  Tue 3 Jun 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Ovett Nwosimiri

    This course session touches upon the philosophical foundations of race, engaging with historical and contemporary debates on racial identity, racism, and justic

    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £8.00 Concession £7.00
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  5. Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00
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  6. Refugee Week at City Lit: Refugees – Entrepreneurship and Business
    Course start date:  Wed 18 Jun 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Ketan Varia
    Join us to explores the impact of refugees on businesses in the UK, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities they bring to the economy as part of Refugee Week at City Lit.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £8.00 Concession £7.00
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  7. Sanctuary in the city – public art by refugees and immigrants
    Course start date:  Wed 18 Jun 2025

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Marilyn Greene

    Come on a walking tour of public art through the City of London created by Refugees and Immigrants. We will explore artworks such as the 17th century carvings on the Monument and a Victorian plaques relocated on to the post Modern Number One Poultry by economic immigrants to the country as well as looking at mainly works by 20th century artists from refugee backgrounds who were either commissioned to make art works for site specific places or their works have been bought or moved to their locations.

    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  8. Van Eyck and the Pre-Raphaelites
    Course start date:  Wed 25 Jun 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Emma Rose Barber
    Explore the work of Van Eyck in relation to Holman Hunt and the Pre-Raphaelites more generally; consider how this 15th century painter influenced artists some 300 years later.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  9. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
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  10. Art in England transformed: the court of Charles I
    Course start date:  Wed 2 Jul 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    The art collection of King Charles I (1600-1649) was magnificent and hugely influential. Explore the artists, craftsmen, agents and connoisseurs who shaped one of the most important European art collections and learn about how objects and artists from across Europe made their way to London.

    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  11. Lunchtime lecture: Louise Bourgeois, the abject and the erotic
    Course start date:  Wed 9 Jul 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    An introduction to the art of Louise Bourgeois, its feminism, both erotic and abject. We explore Bourgeois as a sculptor, printmaker and performance artist, looking at how she was influenced by psychology and biography.
    Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £7.00
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  12. The art of Chinese gardens: nature and philosophy
    Course start date:  Wed 16 Jul 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    In early modern China, gardens were more than places of retreat, they functioned as major social, cultural and economic sites. In our time of ecological crisis, gardens play a crucial role in mitigating pollution. This course will examine how the intersections of art, architecture, philosophy and sensory experience of Chinese gardens show continuity and change from the early modern period to the present day. 

    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  13. Ways into poetry
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 7 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Cecilia Knapp
    Relatively new to writing poetry? This inspiring course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices alongside fellow emerging poets. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.
    Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00
    Rating:
    95% of 100
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  14. Literature taster: poetry
    Course start date:  Wed 24 Sep 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Sophie Oxenham

    Curious about reading poetry? Join us for this taster session to boost your confidence and whet your appetite for further learning and exploration!

    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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