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.
- Picture book writingCourse start date: Sun 22 Jan 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Lou KuenzlerWould 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; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your 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 £65.00 - A taste of creative writingCourse start date: Sun 22 Jan 2023 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Vicky GrutGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive online short course. Ideal if you want to express yourself but need help in getting started. Guided exercises will encourage you to experiment and unlock your imagination. (Course includes a 2-hr break: 12:30 to 14:30.).
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 - Write a short story in a weekendCourse start date: Sat 21 Jan 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Yvonne SinghTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. You'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace. Includes a 2-hour break (12:30-14:30) each day.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs: an introduction for beginners at the British MuseumCourse start date: Fri 13 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: The British Museum
Tutors: Hugo CookThis four-week course delves into the written words and thoughts of the ancient Egyptians. Students will gain a foundation in the iconic writing of hieroglyphs, putting their newfound skills into practice by reading original texts from British Museum artefacts. This is a truly fascinating and intricate language, and it offers its readers the ability to understand the lost voices of one of history’s most remarkable civilisations. The class will be held at the British Museum.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Thu 12 Jan 2023 (and 5 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 £105.00 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (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.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - The art of the dissertationCourse start date: Sat 28 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anne WilsonAre you approaching your dissertation year at undergraduate level? In this workshop, you will receive expert guidance on how to structure and write your dissertation project to a high academic standard.
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 - Getting away with murder: how to write crime fictionCourse start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieWant to write a murder mystery that will knock readers dead? On this course you'll learn how to plot a murder most horrid and develop your writing to create maximum suspense.
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 £65.00 - How to write a book about your expert knowledgeLearn to write about your specialist expertise in a way that will appeal to a wider reading audience.
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 - London's smaller art collectionsCourse start date: Fri 3 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowDiscover some of London’s fascinating smaller art collections and hidden art treasures on this gallery-based course.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - City Lit reading group 1Course start date: Fri 23 Sep 2022
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tabby ToussaintShare thoughts and ideas about what you are reading, with books chosen by the group. Please come to the first session on Friday 23 September with suggestions (English-language contemporary fiction in paperback) and having read Open Water (2021) by Caleb Azumah Nelson. Monthly meetings on 23 Sept; 28 Oct, 2 Dec; 20 Jan, 24 Feb, 24 March; 28 April; 26 May; 30 June.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - A history of London : 1846-1880Course start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mike BerlinYou will explore High Victorian London - its people, its outward growth and the growth of its economy. How did Londoners experience life in the centre and in the new suburbs?Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £110.00 - City of words: further adventuresCourse start date: Thu 12 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon luxuriates in literary references. We follow the footsteps of the authors, poets and playwrights, and some of their creations, as we walk a brand new neighbourhood each week, exploring the literary connections.
London guide: Eleanor Jackson. First meeting point at Green Park tube station, street level, Piccadilly South side.
London guide: Eleanor Jackson.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £75.00 - Discovering South London walksCourse start date: Sat 14 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane BursteinAn exploration of the history of South London via 10 walking tours in the areas of Brixton, Lambeth, Waterloo, Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, Dulwich, Peckham, Blackheath, Eltham and Woolwich.
First meeting place for this course will be Waterloo under the clock at Waterloo main line station. First meeting place for this course will be Waterloo under the clock at Waterloo main line station.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Introduction to the Wallace CollectionCourse start date: Fri 20 Jan 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowEach week, we'll explore a different aspect of the Wallace Collection looking at its fine and decorative art objects, including paintings, furniture, porcelain and even arms and armour. #wallacecollection #arthistory.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00
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