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.
- Picture book writing
Course 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 - The 60 minute writerCourse start date: Wed 22 Sep 2021 (and 12 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 - Ways into creative writing: an introductionCourse start date: Tue 2 Nov 2021 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Not sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.
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 - 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 - Writing for blogs: a tasterCourse start date: Fri 19 Nov 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Got a passion, a journey or an obsession to share? Blogging is the perfect medium through which to share your interests with the world. This taster course teaches the essential skills required to write blogposts that will resonate.
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 £69.00 - Introduction to journalismCourse start date: Mon 15 Nov 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
On this course students will explore the basic skills a freelance journalist needs to write and sell news and features to newspapers and magazines. From developing ideas and identifying outlets to interview skills and approaching editors.
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 - Craft focus: voice in fictionCourse start date: Sat 20 Nov 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (other locations are available)
All fiction must have a 'voice,' a complex mix of elements that, together, give the piece its unique identity. Learn what 'voice' really means in fiction and how to develop a voice for your story that can capture the attention of readers.
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 £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £28.00 - Landscape in artCourse start date: Mon 15 Nov 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Can a depiction of a landscape ever simply be JUST a landscape? Or is it a view onto a wider world, is there a context or, in the words of David Hockney, a “bigger picture?”.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £60.00 - Journaling: a tasterCourse start date: Mon 22 Nov 2021 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
This inspiring taster course led by an experienced journaler, encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to find an approach to life writing that suits them.
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 - Introduction to the Wallace CollectionCourse start date: Fri 21 Jan 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: OS - Off Site
Each 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 £60.00 - American politics for beginnersCourse start date: Thu 4 Nov 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
In this introductory course, you will explore the historical roots and evolution of American democracy, as well as current trends in the country’s national politics.
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 £63.00 Concession £40.00 - Micropoetry: small poems, big ideasCourse start date: Wed 10 Nov 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Explore the emerging art form of micropoetry in this fun but informative short course. Compose your own poetry and learn how to make every word on the page count.
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
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