Self defence and personal safety for women
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: 31 May 2025End Date: 31 May 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00
- Start Date: 01 Jul 2025End Date: 22 Jul 2025Tue (Evening): 18:00 - 20:30In PersonFull fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £118.00
- Start Date: 27 Sep 2025End Date: 27 Sep 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £139.00
- Start Date: 15 Nov 2025End Date: 15 Nov 2025Sat (Daytime): 10:00 - 17:00In PersonFull fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £139.00
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?
You'll explore physical and non-physical techniques for self-defence. The course aims to increase your self-confidence and you will learn a range of skills to defend yourself, taught with sensitivity to the specific needs of those participating.
What will we cover?
The course addresses how to feel and control the body, progressing on to maintaining this when threatened verbally or physically by an external force. Finally, it will address how to retaliate physically if necessary.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Demonstrate an awareness of your surroundings
- Perform a number of simple self-defence techniques based on good use of the body
- Demonstrate and explain effective wrist release practices
- Perform successful kicks and blows
- Use voice and breath to enhance your self-defence techniques
- Name the most effective areas of the body to use physically in self-defence
- Identify areas of weakness in the aggressor.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is for women only. No experience is necessary to join. Students of any fitness levels, including those with disabilities, are very welcome. You will need to be able to read and write short sentences, follow verbal instructions, observe and copy physical movements and use spatial awareness within a group.
Please contact your GP for advice if you have any health conditions which may impact on your participation in the course. In addition, please ensure that you tell the tutor about any conditions or concerns at the start of the course.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The class will be led by the tutor who demonstrates and participates in some of the practical work. The participants will be doing active work. Through talks, discussion and practise students will develop a comfortable and efficient use of the body. Practical information and discussions to demystify issues on self-defence will be held. The participants will be encouraged to share experiences if they wish to do so.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Students should wear comfortable clothing. Handouts will be provided during the course and the tutor will suggest further reading. The tutor will provide training supplements.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Students will be encouraged to incorporate what they learn on the course into their everyday lives. They are encouraged to further develop their physical skills in any activity that uses foot body co-ordination. Relaxation and assertiveness training is also recommended.
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.