Architecture, Design & Material Culture
Art History Courses Online & In London
Delve into the history of architecture and design with City Lit. From fashion to Medieval churches, from ceramics to jewellery, we explore the social and cultural lives of objects designed and dwelled in. Join us online, in the classroom, in galleries or in actual architecture out and about in London.
Online, classroom-based and gallery-based art history courses
Many of our courses are also offered online, giving you the freedom to study from anywhere you need to be. We also offer our classes in-person at our Central London location and at many galleries and museums in and around London. Use the Location filters on this page to choose your preferred delivery method. See our guide to online learning for more information about our live online courses.
Learn from expert tutors
At City Lit we are proud of the expertise of our tutors who are all professional art historians working actively in museums, galleries, research and writing, universities and auction houses. As experts in the field, they are able to provide you with the support and guidance you need to develop your art historical knowledge. As teachers they provide student-focused education, helping students achieve their art historical goals, both the personal and the professional.
8 courses available
A condensed history of architecture – essential buildings from the ancient to the post-modernStudy significant examples of Western architecture from the ancient to post-modern era, including works by contributors such as Wren, and Le Corbusier, exploring style, materials and techniques, function, as well as social, political and cultural contexts that shaped the buildings.
Keeley Street
Sat 23 Jan 2027Rachel SandersFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00- Ways into art history: historiography
Explore a variety of art movements, from Neo-Classicism to Abstract Expressionism through an introductory study of the writing of art theorists and commentators who have made a significant contribution the Art History discipline.
Keeley Street
Sat 20 Feb 2027Rachel SandersFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Ceramics in early Islam: 9th – 16th centuries
An overview of the ceramics industry in the Islamic world, with classroom and gallery sessions, looking at the development of technology and design from the 9th - 16th centuries under the patronage of key Islamic dynasties. Includes visits to British Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum.
Keeley Street
Fri 26 Feb 2027Anita ChowdryFull fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - London's hidden art and architecture: part IIUncover a whole new side of London, from Roman times to the present day through a series of walks and visits to art galleries and historic sites.
Off Site
Tue 20 Apr 2027Julie BarlowFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Costume and fashion in artCostume from the past rarely survives, except in the depiction of it in paintings. Explore 500 years of costume in European art across a range of subject matter and decode the socio-political contexts and cultural identities contained within the choice of dress. This course takes place in London-area museums.
Off Site
Tue 20 Apr 2027Julie BarlowFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - A condensed history of fashion from ancient Egypt to 1800
Study Western fashion from the ancient world, through the Renaissance courts to the outbreak of the French Revolution. This course will look at key clothing trends for men and women within the context of changing cultures, social roles and significant historic events.
Keeley Street
Sat 5 Jun 2027Rachel SandersFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Textiles: an international historyAs well as expressing power, prestige and fulfilling symbolic functions, textiles have been intimately linked to the everyday lives of members all societies for millennia. On this course you will study the development of woven, printed and embroidered textiles of many kinds from around the globe and explore the significant roles they have played in the world’s material culture.
Keeley Street
Tue 29 Sep 2026Elizabeth EyresFull fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Study day: The Bauhaus - design, architecture and painting
Get to know the key artists, art and design of the Bauhaus. After providing a historical context, the course gives an introduction to the movement and its impact on 20th century art and design.
Keeley Street
Sat 21 Nov 2026Rachel SandersFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00
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