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
The Soviet Union and the Second World WarThis course focuses on the Soviet experience of the Second World War, dating from the diplomacy of the late 1930s to the defeat of Germany and Japan in 1945.Keeley Street
Mon 26 Oct 2026Nick MorganFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00- From cradle to the grave: a history of the NHS 1948 to the present
The course examines the creation, consolidation, development and reorganizations of the NHS from 1948 to the present day.
Online
Tue 27 Oct 2026David IngledewFull fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £110.00 - The Spanish Empire: Power, Conquest, and Legacy
Join Dr. Maisa Edwards to explore the rise, global reach and fall of the Spanish Empire from the 1400s to the 1800s.
Online
Tue 27 Oct 2026Maisa EdwardsFull fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £84.00 - The London of Bram Stoker and DraculaAlthough born in Ireland, Bram Stoker came to London to work with the great Actor Manager Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre and spent the rest of his life here. While working at the Lyceum he published his most famous and enduring novel “Dracula” in 1897. This virtual tour takes us to the London locations of that novel so we cover a wide range of ground from Hendon to Hampstead and Piccadilly to Pimlico tracing the footsteps of the fictional vampire and his creator. Learn about the places Stoker visited, the people he knew, the library where he researched and the history of the book on stage and screen.
Online
Tue 27 Oct 2026Diane BursteinFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £29.00 Concession £19.00 - Medieval European Pilgrimage part 2: cities and sanctuaries
An illustrated exploration of major medieval pilgrimage cities and shrines, examining sacred spaces, saints’ cults and the experiences of pilgrims travelling to some of Europe’s most famous sanctuaries.
Keeley Street
Wed 28 Oct 2026Michael BloomfieldFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - Latin America: From the Cold War to the present(Re)discover the troubled but exciting political and socio-economic history of Latin America since the beginning of the Cold War, between dictatorship and democracy, boom and recession, and gain a deeper understanding of the current situation in the continent.
Keeley Street
Wed 28 Oct 2026Sebastien ArdouinFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - The Black Death and the Bodysnatchers: From St Paul's Cathedral to Charterhouse Priory
On this 2-hour walk, we will stop off at several historic locations to consider about two very dark periods of London’s medical history. Separated by hundreds of years, but occupying the same sites, the deadly ‘Black Death’ and the London bodysnatching gangs gave the city two legendary terrors with which to contend.
Off Site
Wed 28 Oct 2026Sarah WiseFull fee £39.00 Senior fee £31.00 Concession £25.00 - Irish history & identity 2: From the coming of the English invasion in 1169 to the Coronation of Henry VIII as King of Ireland in 1541Although inextricably linked to Britain, Ireland’s history, identity, and nationhood has equally been shaped by its relationship with Europe. This course traces Ireland’s development from the coming of the English invasion in 1169 to the Coronation of Henry V111 as King of Ireland in 1541.
Keeley Street
Thu 29 Oct 2026Colm HickeyFull fee £189.00 Senior fee £151.00 Concession £123.00 - British Heritage: Naseby & the Civil Wars, 1645
Join Captain Mark Linnell, chair of the Naseby Battlefield Trust, to learn more about the significance of the battle, early modern weaponry, the strategies used and the key figures involved in this tragic conflict.
Keeley Street
Thu 29 Oct 2026Ellen CarpenterFull fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Diaspora history: Chinese communities around the worldTrace the movements of the Chinese diaspora from the 10th century to the present day and dive into case studies highlighting the Chinese communities’ integration and influence in different regions of the world.
Keeley Street
Sat 31 Oct 2026Qiuyang ChenFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Bodysnatching & Anatomy in London, c.1780-c.1845Join Sarah Wise to explore the clandestine world of 'resurrection men,' the bodysnatchers who supplied human bodies to anatomy schools and the impact of the 1832 Anatomy Act on the trade.
Keeley Street
Sat 31 Oct 2026Sarah WiseFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Haunted London
From murder victims and a mediaeval plague burial ground; to phantom prisoners, demonic hounds and notorious frauds - discover the City’s dark history and meet some of the ghosts haunting London’s streets and alleyways.
Off Site
Sat 31 Oct 2026Stephen GossFull fee £39.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £25.00 - What the Islamic Golden Age did for Us
An introductory course on the achievements of the Islamic Golden Age, across all areas of civilisation, how these inspired Europe, and helped to bring about the modern world we live in.
Keeley Street
Sun 1 Nov 2026Tas RahmanFull fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £58.00 - Taster: Why are history and memory important?What is history? What does history mean to you? Is history important to society? Why or why not? Who gets to decide what and whose history is important? What are the implications of this? There are many reasons and ways to engage with history. With this course, we scratch the surface of the vast universe that is history to give you a taster.
Online
Mon 2 Nov 2026Olivia DurandFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - The History of the FBI 1908-1976The online course will assess the impact of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the leadership of its first Director, J. Edgar Hoover, on US politics, society and culture from its beginnings in 1908 until 1976.
Online
Mon 2 Nov 2026Dafydd TownleyFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £103.00
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