Explore History, Culture & Writing
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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online 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.
- Creative non-fiction: a taster
Course start date: Wed 7 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Julie GartonHave you had experiences that will move, delight or entertain readers? This taster session in creative-non fiction explores approaches to capturing your most poignant moments and crafting them into inspiring pieces of literature.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Art history tasterCourse start date: Mon 12 Sep 2022 (and 15 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayCurious about art history? Join us for this taster session where we explore different ways into visual art and its histories, from the ancient to the contemporary.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Writing for magazinesCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Get inspired to write on this practical course for freelance journalists and bloggers. Learn to carry out research, interview people, pitch and publish stories, and build your presence on social media.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Writing fictionCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesDevelop your creative writing skills on this practical intermediate course. You'll explore the fundamentals of fiction-writing craft, such as character and structure, and unlock your imagination to produce compelling prose. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshopCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Thomas McMullanFor experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyRelatively 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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Developing your novelCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerHave you started work on your novel? This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who want to make progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and move your project forward in a supportive workshop environment.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into screenwritingCourse start date: Mon 19 Sep 2022 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Clive FordLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Thu 5 May 2022 (and 16 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Claire CollisonWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Advanced poetry workshopCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Ellen CranitchDevelop your poetry, taking it in new directions and maturing your poetic voice. Various approaches and techniques will be explored, and new poetry can be workshopped. For experienced poets only.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Creative non-fictionCourse start date: Thu 19 May 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Paul LaffanExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing for childrenCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Neil ArkseyAlways wanted to write a children's book? This practical course will develop your ability to write for different age groups and genres of contemporary children's fiction. (Please note this two-term course is payable in two instalments).Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £389.00 Concession £195.00 - The 60 minute writerCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Tasha KavanaghFit creative writing into your busy day: a relaxed, informal rolling programme for writers of all levels of experience who enjoy being thrown new ideas and experimenting with poetry and prose.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Developing your playwritingCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Dawn KingContinue to explore the key elements of dramatic writing, and benefit from supportive and detailed feedback on your own work. New students with prior playwriting experience are welcome to join.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into creative writing: an introductionCourse start date: Wed 21 Sep 2022 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Claire CollisonNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00
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