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.
- The great (European) powers and the creation of the Middle East, 1914-1948
Course start date: Tue 13 Jan 2026Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinHow and why did the countries of the Middle East emerge, and what were the consequences of that process? What was the role of Britain and France? What impact did the US and the USSR have on the region?
Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £181.00 - The French colonial Empire and its demise Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sebastien ArdouinWhy did France acquire a vast colonial empire and how was it run? Why was decolonisation peaceful in some parts while in Indochina and Algeria, independence was only gained after violent wars? What were the consequences of decolonisation?Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Arabic beginners: module 2 Course start date: Sat 17 Jan 2026 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Taïssir K MahmoudLearn 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 1 or equivalent.
Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00 - Arabic reading group Course start date: Tue 20 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alaa SonjoqDo you enjoy reading Arabic? Do you want to start reading in Arabic and deepen your knowledge of Arab culture? Come and join us to discuss a range of Arabic short stories. You will need to be able to read the alphabet, words and phrases to be able to join this course. Suitable if you have completed at least 1.5 years of Arabic.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Introduction to Islam: historical emergence, current issuesCourse start date: Sat 31 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Farid PanjwaniThe course is about exploring Muslim history: What is Islam? Who is a Muslim? This course explores these questions through a study of the Quran, the Prophet and the socio-political and religious developments in the early history of Muslims. You may discover that there is more than meets the eye.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Arabic verbs made easyCourse start date: Fri 20 Feb 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alaa SonjoqDo you find it hard to understand and conjugate Arabic verbs? Do you feel confused about which tense of the verb to use in your speaking and writing ? Join this course to help you understand how verbs work in Arabic.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Global encounters: Gold, the Enslaved and Exotic Animals: Europe and Africa before 1700 Course start date: Sat 7 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vanessa KingExplore European perceptions of Africa and its inhabitants: from misconstrued tales of monstrous races and the legendary Prester John, to the charting of the west coast and rise of the slave trade.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - Global encounters: Europe and the Ottoman Empire, 1100-1700Course start date: Tue 14 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingThe Turks entered European consciousness in 1071 when they captured the Byzantine emperor at the Battle of Manzikert. So began centuries of uneasy co-existence between Christians and Muslims on the fringes of Europe.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00 - Understanding the Israel-Palestine conflict Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nomaan HanifThis course will enable you to better understand the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Arabic beginners: module 3Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
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 £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00 - Heaven and hell in world religionsCourse start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Vanessa KingCompare and contrast the afterlife beliefs of the five major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Explore how these ideas developed and influenced each other.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00 - Arabic 2 lower: module 3Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 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 elementary students, taught in Arabic with the emphasis on developing your speaking and listening skills. You should have completed Arabic 2 lower: module 2 or equivalent.
Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Arabic 2 upper: module 3Course start date: Wed 22 Apr 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 lower intermediate students, taught in Arabic with the emphasis on developing your speaking and listening skills. You should have completed Arabic 2 upper: module 2 or equivalent.
Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00 - Arabic 3 lower: module 3Course start date: Wed 22 Apr 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 - Islamic art in 25 objects Course start date: Wed 22 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Anita ChowdryDiscover important objects of Islamic Art dating across a more than a millennium in London galleries. We will study world-famous objects, discover lesser known gems, study their context and understand how they relate to one another and the wider world.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £116.00
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