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 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. Friday lates: contemporary art in China - over the Great Firewall
    Course start date:  Fri 19 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Meitao Qu
    From creation to distribution, the explosion of digital technologies has transformed artmaking in a myriad of ways. In this session, we will journey across the Great Firewall to explore contemporary, new media art China.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00
  2. London's smaller galleries: Apsley House
    Course start date:  Wed 12 Jun 2024 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Julie Barlow
    Explore the home and art collection of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
    Rating:
    90% of 100
  3. Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00
    Rating:
    98% of 100
  4. Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00
  5. Masterclass: fiction (a one-term intensive workshop)
    Evening
    Course start date:  Mon 15 Apr 2024 (and 2 other dates)

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Rowan Hisayo Buchanan
    This intensive fiction workshop is open by selective application to a maximum of ten fiction writers working at the advanced and professional levels. You will receive rigorous constructive feedback on your novel or short story as you develop it with a view to publication, and participate in detailed tutor-led discussions on advanced elements of fictional craft. Application deadline: Sunday 31 March, 2024.



    This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.
    Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £369.00 Concession £369.00
    Rating:
    96% of 100
  6. Full fee £879.00 Senior fee £879.00 Concession £879.00
    Rating:
    100% of 100
  7. Masterclass: poetry (a year-long workshop)
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 4 Oct 2023 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    This year-long poetry masterclass is open by selective application to a maximum of ten students. You will receive inspiring tutor instruction and rigorous constructive feedback on your poems as you prepare them for publication and performance.
    Full fee £879.00 Senior fee £879.00 Concession £879.00
  8. National Portrait Gallery
    Course start date:  Mon 15 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Leslie Primo
    Discover portraiture and the National Portrait Gallery’s collection. Different periods and styles are discussed each week in front of the portraits. Includes visits to the current temporary exhibitions.
    Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00
    Rating:
    93% of 100
  9. Lunchtime lecture: John Singer Sargent - beautiful subversion
    Last Few Places
    Course start date:  Wed 17 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Explore the historical context of John Singer Sargent’s fashionable portraits to better understand their depth and importance in modern art.



    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 £7.00
  10. The Courtauld: an introduction
    Course start date:  Mon 22 Apr 2024

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Julie Barlow
    The Courtauld collection includes paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture and decorative arts, ranging from the medieval period to the present day. This two-part course is an opportunity to explore an outstanding collection which includes one of the richest holdings of early Italian art in Britain alongside Impressionist and Post-Impressionist gems such as Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear.
    Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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