Introduction to the V&A
Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 20 Jan 2026End Date: 31 Mar 2026Tue (Daytime): 15:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £299.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £194.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This is a gallery-based course which aims to introduce you to nearly all the galleries in the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum. Sessions include looking at paintings, fashion, sculpture, photography, ceramics, tapestry and glass.
A meeting point will be emailed to you within a week before the course start date.
What will we cover?
-The historical context in which works were produced
-The transfer of design ideas across continents and centuries
-Visit different galleries each week looking at different aspects of the decorative arts.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Demonstrate an understanding of key works in the V&A collection
- Identify the processes/techniques used by a range of artists
- Participate in discussions on works in the V & A with greater confidence.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, handouts and health and safety information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course will be taught with a mixture of guided gallery visits, group discussion and short group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.
Museum/gallery-based courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to any gallery stools.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in the museum space.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may wish to bring a notebook for taking notes. You may also wish to purchased books recommended by your tutor.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Introduction to Tate Modern
Looking at sculpture: from Donatello to Rodin
20th century design: modern and post-modern.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Italian Renaissance drawing: design, form and functionFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
- Iconography and iconology: secrets of the old masters revealedFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £168.00
