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: a taster
Course start date: Wed 8 Dec 2021 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Online
Find out more about writing a picture book text in this practical and interactive, short taster session.
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 - Creative writing: a tasterCourse start date: Wed 30 Mar 2022 (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 - Writing fictionCourse start date: Wed 22 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 - Writing for magazinesCourse start date: Wed 12 Jan 2022 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Get inspired to write on this practical course for freelance journalists and bloggers. Learn to carry out research, interview people, pitch and publish stories, and build your presence on social media.
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 £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Developing your screenwritingCourse start date: Wed 27 Apr 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Continue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate 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 - Creative writing for learners with dyslexia (SpLD)Course start date: Wed 12 Jan 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Want to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? This course is designed to help you tap into your creativity and find your unique writing voice. Suitable for beginners and those with some experience of creative writing who identify as having dyslexia.
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 £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £52.00 - Creative non-fictionCourse start date: Wed 13 Oct 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: Wed 12 Jan 2022 (and 15 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - 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.
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 £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £84.00 - Advanced fiction writing workshopCourse start date: Wed 12 Jan 2022 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (other locations are available)
For experienced writers, this supportive but rigorous workshop offers the perfect opportunity to develop your novel or short story. Receive in-depth feedback and benefit from detailed group discussions on the art of fiction.
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 £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £88.00 - Short story writingCourse start date: Wed 22 Sep 2021 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
A hands-on introduction to the art of writing short stories. You will receive technical advice, creative exercises to generate ideas, and feedback to develop your writing skills.
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 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 - Writing for childrenCourse start date: Wed 22 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 - Developing your playwritingCourse start date: Wed 22 Sep 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Continue to explore the key elements of dramatic writing, and benefit from supportive and detailed feedback on your own work. New students with prior playwriting experience are welcome to join.
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: an introductionCourse start date: Wed 3 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 - Transports of delight: London's railway stationsCourse start date: Wed 12 Jan 2022 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
London's stations see over 1 billion journeys annually, but the buildings themselves are often ignored. Explore a different station and environs each week, discovering the architecture, history, stories and future of these lifelines of London.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £74.00
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