History, culture & writing - Online

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.

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

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. Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  2. Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
    Rating:
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  3. Writing flash fiction: getting started
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 1 Feb 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Maria Thomas
    Flash fiction is the art of telling small stories that make a big impact. Learn how to harness the power of economy in this practical short course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  4. Jump start your play
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 3 Aug 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Brian Mullin
    Have you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper, or a script you started but never finished? This intensive short course will help you inject new energy into your idea – and get started writing. Only suitable for those with playwriting experience.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  5. British Hitchcock double bill: The 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 21 Sep 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    Hitchcock was first recognised as a gifted filmmaker in the 1920s but the films he made between 1934 and 1938, the six 'chase thrillers', established his reputation and associated him with a particular type of film, one marked by a varying mix of suspense, comedy and romance. This course explores the two most celebrated of these, looking at their production, structure and critical reception.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  6. Masters of cinema: Paolo Sorrentino
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 5 Oct 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Paul Sutton
    Paolo Sorrentino has been described as ‘the most promising Italian director of his generation’. This one-day course will explore the cinema of this Neapolitan filmmaker renowned for his ‘commitment to style’. We will look at a number of his films as well as his television work, and examine some of the themes that he has returned to throughout his career, for example, power, nostalgia and solitude. We will also consider his Sorrentino’s relationship with figures such as the cinematographer Luca Bigazzi and the actor Toni Servillo, both of whom have collaborated frequently with the director. So, join us in City Lit’s Cultureplex screening space for day-long immersion into the beautifully stylish cinematic world of Paolo Sorrentino.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  7. Writing women's experiences in poetry
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 16 Nov 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Julie Irigaray
    This course will look at how contemporary women poets write about their experiences of womanhood. We'll discuss their strategies and you'll be encouraged to write poems, in a supportive environment, about what being a woman means to you.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  8. The ghost story on the television and the big screen
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 23 Nov 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Jon Wisbey
    Explore and enjoy the ghost story through big screen classics such as The Uninvited (1944), The Innocents (1961) and The Haunting (1963), and small screen dramas such as The Stone Tape (1972) and the BBC's Ghost Story for Christmas tradition - for example, The Signalman (1976). We will also consider the genre's key themes and storytelling styles along with its relationship with horror generally.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
  9. Craft focus: mastering descriptive language
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 25 Jan 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sophie McKenzie
    Descriptive language can provide texture and clarity to a story, promoting reader engagement and a sensory experience. In this short course, learn how to create vivid descriptions that will elevate your prose. This course will support writers of fiction and non-fiction.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
    Rating:
    89% of 100
  10. Writing autofiction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 15 Mar 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Natasha Bell
    Blurring lines between fact and fiction, blending the 'real' and 'imaginary', autofiction is a rich playground for writers. In this short advanced taster course, learn what 'autofiction' is, how it differs from other forms of life writing, and explore how to write it.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
  11. Craft focus: narrative time in fiction
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 22 Mar 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Vicky Grut
    All fiction is bound by time: a story must begin and end. In this practical short course learn how time functions in fiction and, through practical writing exercises, how you can manipulate it to great effect. 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 £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
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