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.
Study in-person at City Lit or offsite, or online from the comfort of home, with interactive classes that allow you to participate in discussions with fellow adult students. We offer daytime, evening and weekend courses, both short and long. For more information on our online courses, please see our guide to online learning.
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 writing: a tasterCourse start date: Mon 6 Dec 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Give creative writing a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.
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 - Literature taster
Course start date: Sun 12 Dec 2021 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Come and join this taster session to find out what makes a literature class at City Lit so special. The course includes an overview of our literature courses for next term (January-March 2022).
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £0.00 Senior fee £0.00 Concession £0.00 - Playwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Mon 6 Dec 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Give playwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.
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 £28.00 - Writing fictionCourse start date: Mon 20 Sep 2021 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Lovers of fiction can develop their 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 £84.00 - Creative non-fictionCourse start date: Tue 21 Sep 2021 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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.
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 £84.00 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Mon 20 Sep 2021 (and 15 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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.
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 £84.00 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Mon 25 Oct 2021 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Would you like to write a picture book text for young children? This course is designed for children's writers and for illustrators wishing to write their own stories, develop their ideas and technique.
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 £52.00 - Television screenwritingCourse start date: Tue 21 Sep 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Do you want to write a drama 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 £84.00 - The 60 minute writerCourse start date: Wed 22 Sep 2021 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (other locations are available)
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.
This course takes place in the classroom, please follow this link to find out what we are doing to keep you safe: Staying COVID-19 secure at City LitFull fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing for childrenCourse start date: Tue 21 Sep 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Always 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.).
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 £84.00 - Ways into creative writing: a gentle paceCourse start date: Tue 2 Nov 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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 £36.00 - The City of London: the Square MileCourse start date: Wed 6 Oct 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: OS - Off Site
Explore the City’s development from Roman and medieval times through to the Tudors and Stuarts.
This course will comprise of 10 walks starting with Roman London.
First meeting place at Monument station on the Monument side. First meeting place at Monument station on the Monument side.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £70.00 - Ways into screenwritingCourse start date: Mon 20 Sep 2021 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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 £84.00 - Starting your novelCourse start date: Tue 21 Sep 2021 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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.
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 £84.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Mon 20 Sep 2021 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
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 £84.00
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