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.
- 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 £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £88.00 - Biography writing: an introduction
Course start date: Wed 27 Oct 2021Location on this date: Online
What makes a great biography? This introductory course, led by a professional biographer, covers the key techniques used in this exciting genre.
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 - Creative non-fiction: an introductionCourse start date: Wed 27 Oct 2021 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
This short introductory course explore the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing. On this course you will start to produce your own works of creative non-fiction.
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 - Introduction to journalismCourse start date: Wed 16 Feb 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Discover the basic skills needed to become a freelance journalist. Learn how to write and sell news and features to newspapers, magazines, blogs and other online publications.
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 - Writing for magazinesCourse start date: Wed 22 Sep 2021 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (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 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: Wed 12 Jan 2022 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: KS - Keeley Street (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 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 £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £36.00 - Ways into creative writing: an introductionCourse start date: Wed 22 Sep 2021 (and 6 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 - Shakespeare's ghosts: Hamlet, Macbeth and Julius CaesarCourse start date: Wed 3 Nov 2021
Location on this date: Online
This online Literature course explores Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Macbeth and Julius Caesar, taking a close look at the ghosts that feature in these plays – Old Hamlet, Banquo and Julius Caesar - as a way of investigating some of their wider themes and concerns, including memory, grief, revenge, agency, power, ambition, guilt and the psyche.
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 £103.00 Concession £79.00 - Travel writingCourse start date: Wed 3 Nov 2021
Location on this date: Online
Make travelling pay. Learn how to get a commission, finance a trip and put your adventures into words, led by practical exercises and expert industry guidance.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £44.00 - Writing romanceCourse start date: Wed 3 Nov 2021
Location on this date: Online
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a writer in possession of a single pen can compose an unforgettable romance novel. This interactive course will chaperone students through the plotting of modern romance stories.
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 - Mystery religionsCourse start date: Wed 3 Nov 2021
Location on this date: Online
Mystery religions were very popular in the ancient world and were organised as voluntary associations. Their popularity is attested in writings and in material culture of the Greco-Roman world. They offered intense religious experiences outside the official, civic religions. The participants were initiated into the mysteries: whilst there is considerable variety in form and content, a belief in a form of salvation was a common denominator of many of these mystery religions. The question of the relationship between the mystery cults and Christianity will also be broached.
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £36.00 - Micropoetry: small poems, big ideasCourse start date: Wed 10 Nov 2021
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 - 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 - Picture book writing: a tasterCourse start date: Wed 8 Dec 2021 (and 1 other date)
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 - Writing fictionCourse start date: Mon 20 Sep 2021 (and 7 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
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