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.
Courses available both in-person and online
We offer a range of courses allowing you to choose between online and in-person learning. All our courses are live, interactive, and taught by expert tutors. No matter how you prefer to learn, you’ll receive the same great City Lit experience. See our guide to online learning for more information about accessing our live online 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.
- Art history taster
Course start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 15 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayCurious about art history? Join us for this taster session where we explore different ways into visual art and its histories from the ancient to the contemporary.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Rising powers: ChinaCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinThe spectacular rise of China is one of the most significant developments of the last decades. What explains it and what does it mean for China itself and the world?
This course will be delivered online. See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £130.00 - Literature tasterCourse start date: Sat 7 Jan 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Patricia SweeneyDo you want to find out how to go about understanding a poem or how to do a close reading of a work of fiction? Come and find out what makes a literature class at City Lit so special. The course also presents an overview of our literature offering for term two (January - April 2023).
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 - A taste of creative writingCourse start date: Sun 22 Jan 2023 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGive 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 - Ways into screenwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Sun 8 Jan 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short online course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going. (Course has a 2-hr break from 12:30-14:30.).
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 - A taste of philosophyCourse start date: Sat 7 Jan 2023 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: John GoffHave you ever wondered what philosophy is? What do philosophers talk about? Can they tell you the meaning of life or is it just jargon and navel gazing? Come along and find out.
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 9 Jan 2023 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Jonathan BarnesDevelop your 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 £105.00 - Autobiographical writingCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nick BarlayWhether writing for self-discovery, testimony or to tell your story, this term-long course explores how to ensure your autobiographical work is both evocative and powerful.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Writing for magazinesCourse start date: Mon 16 Jan 2023 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: 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.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Developing your poetryCourse start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Eleanor PennyFor those familiar with the basics of poetic form, this intermediate course explores craft and content through reading exercises, writing exercises and constructive feedback. Ideal if you have already attended 'Ways into poetry'.
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 - Advanced fiction writing workshopCourse start date: Tue 10 Jan 2023 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Thomas McMullanFor 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.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £110.00 - Ways into poetryCourse start date: Thu 12 Jan 2023 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Lawrence BradbyRelatively 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 - Developing your novelCourse start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sarah LeipcigerHave you started work on your novel? This course is suitable for experienced creative writers who want to make progress with a novel draft. Learn more about the art of novel writing and move your project forward in a supportive workshop environment.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into screenwritingCourse start date: Wed 11 Jan 2023 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Clive FordLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory 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.Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £209.00 Concession £105.00 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Mon 9 Jan 2023 (and 15 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Claire CollisonWant 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
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