Middle East and North Africa Season
Explore the rich and complex histories, cultures, languages and politics of the Middle East and Africa—regions that have shaped human civilisation and continue to influence our world today. From ancient empires and early innovations to contemporary conflicts and cultural expression, our courses offer a wide-ranging and inclusive look at the people, places and ideas that define these diverse regions. Whether you're interested in learning Arabic, decoding hieroglyphs, or understanding the impact of colonialism and modern geopolitics, there's something for every curious mind.
These regions are not only central to global history but are also vibrant and evolving spaces of creativity, resilience and change. Our courses are designed to help you engage thoughtfully with this richness—through language, literature, religion, politics and more—guided by expert tutors in an open and welcoming learning environment.
Browse our courses today and discover new perspectives on the Middle East and Africa.
- Ways into Islamic art
Course start date: Tue 2 Jun 2026Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Anita ChowdryAn introductory course providing an overview of the development of the visual language of Islamic cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Arabic beginners: module 3Course start date: Tue 23 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alaa SonjoqLearn Arabic either in an in-person course in Covent Garden or live online sessions.
This course is for near beginners, taught in Arabic with the emphasis on developing your speaking and listening skills. You should have completed Arabic beginners: module 2 or equivalent.
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £80.00 - Disease, death and mummies in Ancient Egypt Course start date: Sat 27 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rosalind JanssenLiving and dying with disease; being buried and mummified in Ancient Egypt. What are the latest discoveries and theories? Who is carrying out this work, and what are the ethical considerations? Human remains will be explored in a museum setting.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Arabic beginners: holiday kitCourse start date: Sat 18 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nora Allali-CarlingMake the most of your holidays in an Arabic-speaking country with this face to face short, intensive course in central London over one weekend. This Holiday Kit will provide you with all the language you need to communicate in the most common holiday situations & have a friendly chat with the locals!Full fee £119.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £77.00 - Arabic 2 revisionCourse start date: Tue 21 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nora Allali-CarlingConsolidate your elementary knowledge of Arabic in this online lively course. Suitable if you have studied Arabic for two years or have an equivalent level.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £103.00 - Biblical Hebrew 1: module 1 Course start date: Wed 30 Sep 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Rachel MontaguLearn the basic grammatical structures for reading and translating Biblical Hebrew. Also suitable for those who have a rusty knowledge of the language.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Arabic reading group Course start date: Tue 6 Oct 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alaa SonjoqDo you want to start reading more fluently in Arabic while improving your knowledge of vocabulary and pronunciation? Then, come and join this friendly online reading class which focuses on practical, everyday texts. You will need to be able to read the alphabet and individual words to join this course. Suitable if you are studying at 2 lower module 1 level or above (more than 1 year of Arabic).Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - Arabic 3 lower: module 3Course start date: Wed 20 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Taïssir K MahmoudLearn Arabic either in an in-person course in Covent Garden or live online sessions.
This course is for intermediate students of Arabic with the emphasis on developing your speaking and listening skills. You should have completed Arabic 3 lower: module 2 or equivalent.
Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00
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