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.
- Developing your poetry
Course start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 8 other dates)Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Eleanor PennyFor those familiar with the basics of poetic form, this intermediate course explores craft and content through reading exercises, writing exercises and constructive feedback. Ideal if you have already attended 'Ways into poetry'.
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 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 - 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: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 15 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 - Introduction to moral philosophyCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Ariel KernbergWhat’s the right thing to do? But what does ‘right’ actually mean? And what reason do I have to do it? Join us as we grapple with these fundamental questions. NB: No class on Tues 27th October.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Television screenwritingCourse start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Ray GrewalDo you want to write a script for television? What do you write and where do you start? Through exercises and examples, this course will assist you in developing your own projects.
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 playwritingCourse start date: Tue 20 Sep 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This online course is designed for experienced playwrights who have work in-progress.
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 - Writing for childrenCourse start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (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.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £389.00 Concession £195.00 - Developing your playwritingCourse start date: Tue 17 Jan 2023 (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 some 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 - Advanced autobiographical writingCourse start date: Tue 18 Apr 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Nick BarlayA supportive workshop for more experienced writers of autobiography who are ready to push their practice, explore new techniques and further develop their authorial voice.
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 - Introduction to art historyCourse start date: Tue 27 Sep 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayAre you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.
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 £142.00 - Ways into playwritingCourse start date: Tue 27 Sep 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Grant CorrExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this online introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.
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
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