Explore History, Culture & Writing

Fit 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.

Not 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.

Learn to write compelling and insightful reviews for films, books and stage performances. Develop your critical skills and ability to write in a succinct style.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Are you brand new to creative writing? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners? This gentle short-course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a creative writer.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This six-week course will guide students through the plotting of modern romance stories.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

This shorter version of our introductory creative non-writing course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Are you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Would you like to workshop, edit and polish your picture book texts for young children? This course is designed for advanced picture book writers wishing to hone their skills and improve their own stories.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

A fast-paced introduction to the art of writing short stories. In this 6-week course you will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.



This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.

Have you wondered why a film might have moved you so powerfully or why it looked so stunningly beautiful? Have you wanted to know quite how a film was able to communicate its story to you so effectively? If so, then this advanced level film studies course is for you. It aims to explore in depth the language of cinema, the way in which film connects with its spectators at the level of film form, in other words, film aesthetics. Writers and critics have long asked similar questions, as have filmmakers themselves, and we will follow some of the most celebrated in their quest for answers. We will look briefly at how films are made and at the importance of cinematography, editing, mise en scène and sound, before exploring in depth film’s aesthetic qualities. We will think about the importance of history for the development of film form and we will analyse clips and sequences from individual films so as to better approach and understand film aesthetics.