Writing creative non-fiction: intensive
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: 11 Jun 2025End Date: 16 Jul 2025Wed (Evening): 18:00 - 20:00OnlineFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00
- Start Date: 15 Jul 2025End Date: 31 Jul 2025Tue+Thu (Daytime): 12:30 - 14:30In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 6 sessions (over -3 weeks)Course Code: HW327Tutors: Claire CollisonFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00
- Start Date: 22 Oct 2025End Date: 26 Nov 2025Wed (Daytime): 15:15 - 17:15In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 6 sessions (over -6 weeks)Course Code: HW198Tutors: Claire CollisonFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00
- Start Date: 18 Feb 2026End Date: 25 Mar 2026Wed (Evening): 18:00 - 20:00OnlineFull fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00
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 course covers core elements of the creative non-fiction genre. Students will be encouraged to think creatively and imaginatively about their approach to writing their own creative non-fiction.
What will we cover?
What is creative non-fiction?
How do we constructively analyse a creative non-fiction text?
Which core language and structural techniques are used for effect?
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Develop your understanding of the creative non-fiction genre.
- Constructively analyse creative non-fiction texts.
- Write your own creative non-fiction pieces.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No formal requirements except a good standard of literacy and a love of reading.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Analysis of short pieces in class through group discussion.
- Pair work and group work.
- Regular individual short writing exercises.
- Formal instruction from the teacher combined with group discussion.
All writing courses at City Lit will involve an element of workshop. This means that students will produce work which will be discussed in an open and constructive environment with the tutor and other students. The college operates a policy of constructive criticism, and all feedback on another student’s work by the tutor and other students should be delivered in that spirit.
City Lit Writing endeavours to create a safe and welcoming space for all and we strongly support the use of content notes in our classes. This means that learners are encouraged to make their tutor and classmates aware in advance if any writing they wish to share contains material that may be deemed sensitive. If you are unsure about what might constitute sensitive content, please ask your tutor for further clarification and read our expectations for participating in writing courses at City Lit.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Writing materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The Writing department offers a range of creative writing courses, including Autobiographical writing, Biography writing, Writing a memoir and The art of the personal essay.
All students are invited to join us at Late Lines, our regular performance night for City Lit writers. Students are also encouraged to submit their work to Between the Lines, our annual anthology of creative writing. For the latest news, courses and events, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and Twitter.
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.