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.
- Creative non-fiction: a taster
Course start date: Tue 28 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Julie GartonHave you had experiences that will move, delight or entertain readers? This taster session in creative-non fiction explores approaches to capturing your most poignant moments and crafting them into inspiring pieces of literature.Full fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £10.00 - Art history tasterCourse start date: Mon 27 Mar 2023 (and 15 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (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.
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 - Film Studies TasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Mar 2023 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: John WischmeyerThis taster of forthcoming film courses at City Lit in 2023 offers you the chance to think about which ones to take while also providing an opportunity to explore some of the key areas in film studies more generally.
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 - Literature tasterCourse start date: Sat 25 Mar 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Patricia SweeneyExploring poetry and fiction, come and join this online taster session to find out what makes a literature class at City Lit so special.
The course includes an overview of our literature courses for next term (April-July 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 12 Mar 2023 (and 11 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieGive creative writing a try on this fun and supportive 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 1-hr break.).Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - A taste of poetryCourse start date: Fri 17 Mar 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis short, fun taster course is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to the poetry path. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £35.00 - London churchesCourse start date: Tue 7 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Richard PlantLondon has many fascinating churches to explore. See them on a series of guided visits and discover beautiful stained glass, surprising interiors and architecturally important structures by notable architects.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - Writing and rewriting fairytalesCourse start date: Sat 4 Mar 2023 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Mary VictoriaOnce upon a time there was a City Lit workshop all about writing fairytales. The quest: to inspire writers to pen stories of love, fear, forests, revenge, dragons, witches, kings, queens, frogs and magic.
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 - Picture book writingCourse start date: Sat 4 Mar 2023 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street (other locations are available)
Tutors: Andrew WealeWould 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; a starter course to develop both your ideas and your technique.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Write a short story in a weekendCourse start date: Sat 25 Mar 2023 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online (other locations are available)
Tutors: Vicky GrutTurn your great idea into a short story on this fun practical course. You'll be introduced to some key fiction writing techniques and encouraged to draft a short story from beginning to end. Suitable for beginners who are comfortable learning at a fast pace. Includes a 2-hour break (12:30-14:30) each day.
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 £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Self-publishing: a tasterCourse start date: Sun 19 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Helen CoxWant to keep full creative control of your writing project? Learn more about self-publishing and how to give your book (poetry, fiction or non-fiction) the best chance of achieving high sales.
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 poetry: a gentle paceCourse start date: Thu 2 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor PennyAre you brand new to writing poetry? Do you want to build your confidence in a supportive environment alongside other beginners in the craft? This gentle short course guides students taking their first steps on the path to becoming a poet.
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 £45.00 - Micro-memoir: a tasterCourse start date: Fri 10 Mar 2023 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonA life is measured in moments as well as momentous occasions. This fun workshop coaches students in the art of micro-memoir. Can you write about an instant that changed you in 200 words or less?
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 £19.00 - Journaling: a tasterCourse start date: Sat 18 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonThis inspiring workshop, 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 £35.00 - Memoir writing: a tasterCourse start date: Mon 27 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonDo you have a personal story to tell that will move, delight, stir and inform readers? This short course guides students in planning and crafting a memoir.
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
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