Explore History, Politics & Economics
Fascinated by the past? Wishing to keep up to date with current affairs? Itching to develop a deeper understanding of democracy and capitalism? There's a course for you at City Lit.
We offers a wide range of history, politics and economics courses on weekdays, evenings and weekends. Our courses vary from skills-based courses on oral and family history projects, to the history of empire, the history of London and the study of global powers and international politics.
Gain critical thinking and analytical skills
Courses in the Humanities help you understand our world today, and the history that has informed the political, social and economic dynamics of modern times. Our courses, including short day courses, lectures and longer-term study over several weeks or whole terms, aim to inform you of the issues that interest and matter to you. Our courses also encourage the development of wider skills such as critical thinking and analysis, listening and discussion skills, and evidence-based interpretation.
Learn from expert tutors
Our tutors are experts in their fields and come from a range of backgrounds, and include academics, experienced educators, serving politicians, acclaimed authors and renowned guides.
Browse our range of courses below to choose your perfect option: both complete beginners and returning students are equally welcome.
360 courses available
1960s LondonExplore the dynamic history of London in the 1960s. From pop culture to politics, immigration to education we will look at the changing face of the capital through a decade of transformation. Tutor: professional guide Dr. Geoffrey Levett.
Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Thu 1 Oct 2026Geoffrey LevettFull fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00- Chinese History Friday Lates: The Opium Wars
What is the significance of opium in Chinese History why were wars fought over it in the 1800's? Join Dr Chen to discover the history of opium in China in this Friday Late session.
Online
Fri 2 Oct 2026Qiuyang ChenFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Nazi Germany: politics, society, war and genocide
This course offers a broad survey of Nazi Germany, its leaders and its population, its racial ideology, political ambitions and structures of rule, its opponents and its victims, and its ultimate descent into world war and genocide.
Keeley Street
Fri 2 Oct 2026Rudolf MuhsFull fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - African History: The Rise and Fall of Empires, c.700 to c.1700
Explore 1000 years of African history, from the rise of powerful empires to the spread of new religions and Africa’s pivotal place in the global economy.
Keeley Street
Fri 2 Oct 2026Apeike UmoluFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £123.00 - The Yoruba Civilisation at the British Museum
Explore the history of Yoruba civilisation, including the rise and fall of the Oyo Empire, using Yoruba material culture to understand evolutions in Yoruba life and customs. NB this is an immersive course using artefacts at the British Museum. Tutor: Apeike Umolu.
Off Site
Sat 3 Oct 2026Apeike UmoluFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - History and memory in the United States of AmericaLearn how history is remembered and contested in the United States of America. This study day examines key historical narratives, monuments, and the role of public memory in nation-building, highlighting debates over race and ethnicity, identity, and representation.
Keeley Street
Sat 3 Oct 2026Olivia DurandFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - The Byzantine Empire
Explore the dramatic history of the Byzantine Empire from its Roman roots to its fall in 1453. This course offers a concise yet penetrating look at an empire that shaped both Europe and the Islamic world.
Online
Mon 5 Oct 2026Sean GabbFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - History taster: Puerto Rico
A concise exploration of Puerto Rico’s unique journey from empire to US territory and the identity questions that remain.
Online
Tue 6 Oct 2026Anna GrimaldiFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - From the Restoration Era to the Glorious Revolution, 1660-1688: court, society and culture during the reigns of Charles II and James II.
Brothers in arms...? Join us to explore the restoration of the Stuart monarchy under King Charles II, the turbulent succession of his brother James II, and the resulting Glorious Revolution, tracing the political, religious and social events that reshaped England in the late 1600s.
Keeley Street
Tue 6 Oct 2026Ellen CarpenterFull fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - London Calling: popular music, society and culture 1955–2025
The sites, sounds and hidden stories of London’s music scenes from the dawn of the rock’n’roll era through the punk explosion to today, explored via walking tours of four musically rich neighbourhoods. Tutor: professional guide and music enthusiast Aiden Mcmanus.
Off Site
Wed 7 Oct 2026Aidan McManusFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - London History Lectures: The World of the London Bodysnatchers, 1800-1832
In this illustrated talk, Sarah Wise - author of The Italian Boy: Murder and Grave Robbery in 1830s London - takes us on a tour of some of London’s lesser-known graveyards, and surveys some of the highly unsentimental folk who profited from other people’s deaths and family bereavements. Some of them even turned to murder.
Online
Wed 7 Oct 2026Sarah WiseFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Contested histories: monuments, memory and power
Why do we build monuments? What do they commemorate and what do they leave out? This course explores how memorials shape and are shaped by politics, memory, and power.
Keeley Street
Thu 8 Oct 2026Vincent MarquisFull fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - The History of History
What are the tools and techniques used by historians and what influences the practice of writing history and how it is presented from era to era? Join Professor Pamela Pilbeam to learn more.
Keeley Street
Fri 9 Oct 2026Pamela PilbeamFull fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - History, memory and mental wealth: why we need to talk about empireFormally, European imperialism ended decades ago. Yet, the different legacies still affect the world and many societies today. Join us for a discussion on why we need to talk about empire and mental wealth.
Keeley Street
Fri 9 Oct 2026Martin JorgensenFull fee £10.00 Senior fee £10.00 Concession £5.00 - The City of London: the Square Mile
Explore the City’s development from Roman and medieval times through to the Tudors and Stuarts. This course will consist of 8 walks starting with Roman London.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00
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