History, culture & writing

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 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, we've got the class for you. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online courses.

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  1. Art history taster
    Last Few Places, Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 27 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Curious 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
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  2. Writing fiction
    Course start date:  Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 5 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Jonathan Barnes
    Develop 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
    Rating:
    87% of 100
  3. Ways into poetry
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 18 Jan 2023 (and 4 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Megan Beech
    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.



    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
    Rating:
    94% of 100
  4. Ways into playwriting
    Evening
    Course start date:  Thu 19 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Dawn King
    Explore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00
    Rating:
    85% of 100
  5. Creative non-fiction
    Course start date:  Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 7 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Paul Laffan
    Explore 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.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00
  6. Ways into screenwriting
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Alan Nixon
    Learn 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.



    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
    Rating:
    94% of 100
  7. Starting your novel
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Sophie McKenzie
    Got a great idea for a novel? Jump start your project in this supportive course that covers craft basics such as character and plot. Ideal for writers of fiction with some experience who have an idea for a novel.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00
    Rating:
    94% of 100
  8. Ways into creative writing
    Course start date:  Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 9 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Sarah Leipciger
    Want 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.
    Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00
    Rating:
    97% of 100
  9. Archaeology of London
    Course start date:  Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Jill Hummerstone
    Explore the archaeology and history of London through its cultural monuments, topography and material remains to more fully appreciate the rich archaeological evidence of the capital.



    Tutor: Jill Hummerstone. Tutor :Jill Hummerstone.
    Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £130.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  10. How to Read a Film: A Beginners' Guide to Cinema
    Evening
    Course start date:  Tue 21 Feb 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online (other locations are available)

    Tutors:  Paul Sutton
    This course will develop your critical appreciation of the cinema by teaching you how to read and understand film texts. We will look at the elements that underpin film form – narrative, mise en scène, cinematography, editing and sound – alongside its historical development. We will consider film style by exploring classical, post-classical and art cinema and we will examine influential critical modes of analysis, such as genre, authorship and spectatorship.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00
    Rating:
    87% of 100
  11. Ways into creative writing: a gentle pace
    Evening, ONLINE
    Course start date:  Mon 6 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Online

    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.
    Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £45.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  12. Memoir writing: a taster
    ONLINE
    Course start date:  Mon 27 Mar 2023

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Julie Garton
    Do you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.



    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
    Rating:
    100% of 100

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