Writing Courses & Workshops Online & in London
Be inspired to write, and learn how to get published at the college where Andrea Levy, Malorie Blackman, Anna Burns, and other celebrated authors studied. Read our success stories to see what's possible for you as a writer.
Learn from published authors
Whether you're just starting out or ready to publish your first book, the benefits of our writing courses include expert tuition from a published author and feedback on your work as you develop your writing skills. There will also be opportunities to participate in group discussions and activities with fellow students.
Unheard Voices Scholarship
City Lit’s Malorie Blackman Scholarships for 'Unheard Voices' provide three annual awards to fund one year’s study within the Creative Writing department at City Lit. Learn more >
- Music theory: grade 7Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Simon RigbyLearn more complex elements of music: figured bass, melodic and harmonic decoration, writing for instrument or voice with given accompaniment, and score analysis of harmonic and phrase structure, style, performance and directions. Break week: 26 Oct, Dec 01 until return on Jan 12.Full fee £369.00 Senior fee £369.00 Concession £258.00 - Choir at lunchtimeCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonCome and spend your lunchtime singing a range of music, in interesting choral arrangements. It's good for the mind, body and spirit. Sing music from across all genres, have fun and leave with a spring in your step. There's no better pick-me-up at lunchtime! Break weeks 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £104.00 - Full fee £3,099.00 Senior fee £2,479.00 Concession £2,014.00
- Choral singing for pleasureCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Richard Hartley-WilsonWhether you’re a beginner or have some experience, this choral class will give you something to look forward to on a Monday. We sing many genres from musical theatre to pop plus more traditional pieces. This course is very popular, so booking early is essential. Break weeks 5th & 26th May 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Discover North London through walksCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane BursteinDiscover the history of North London via guided walks. Great views, green spaces , places of worship, almshouses, plaques to famous people ,some lesser known museums, lots of hidden history and a couple of famous football stadiums will all feature..
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00 - English communication skills - for life and work (level 1)Course start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you want to improve your communication skills and become more confident speaking, listening, reading and writing English? This course will help you develop all your English language skills so you can act confidently in the most important everyday situations inside and outside work. You will become a skilled communicator when writing, using digital resources and in face-to-face interactions. You will develop your active listening skills so you can understand and empathise better. You will work on how to express yourself when speaking in different situations. You will practise your reading so you can see the whole picture and find details, make effective decisions about what you read, and prioritise matters. By the end of this three-term programme, you will be a competent speaker, listener, reader and writer both at work and home and ready to do exams such as Functional Skills Level 2.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
- Piano/keyboards 4ACourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonFor pianists with around three years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Composition techniquesCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonDevelop your skills in composing. Analyse selected techniques and apply them to your own composition project. Good music theory knowledge needed (grade 7 or equivalent).
*break week: 27 May 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - City Lit textiles: mixed mediaCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Renata MinoldoInvestigate mixed-media textiles through this project-based course which introduces a variety of materials, techniques and design processes. You will develop a creative portfolio of textile samples using sketchbook research and finally work towards a finished piece.Full fee £499.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £324.00 - Exploring the music of Richard StraussCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the heady waltzes of Der Rosenkavalier to the awe-inspiring opening of Also sprach Zarathrustra, come and delve into the life and works of the brilliant – and controversial – composer and conductor, Richard Strauss.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: advancedCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Adam GurneyDevelop your lipreading skills and strategies for face-to-face communication and keep up-to-date with relevant equipment and services. This course is suitable if you have completed a lipreading class at improvers' level.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £200.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: long term learners advancedCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anita ThorntonAre you an experienced lipreader, confident in your theory, but wishing to keep up your skills with continued practice? Suitable if you have been coming to lipreading classes for a while and want to continue to be stretched.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language. - Foundation diploma in art and designCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: MultipleThe UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at City Lit is an exciting and challenging multi-disciplinary art, design, craft and media programme. It is designed to give you the best possible introduction to a wide range of materials, techniques and processes, and to support you in identifying and developing your creative interests and thinking. Validated by the University of the Arts London Awarding Body, it is an internationally recognised qualification with a UCAS tariff that enables you to apply directly to University.
The Free Courses for Jobs initiative is for Londoners aged 24 or over at the start of the course who are: on a low-income; or on certain benefits; or do not have a full level 3 qualification. For more information Click here
- Saxophone 5Course start date: Sat 3 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: David HarrisonMaintain and extend your playing skills and musicianship in our advanced course. Repertoire is pop, jazz, and world music, and you will rehearse sax ensemble arrangements.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Jazz harmony, ear training and ensembles: intermediateCourse start date: Tue 6 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cerys HoggPractise ear training, study jazz harmony, and learn to play challenging repertoire in term 3 of this substantial course. For able players with established jazz education at foundation level. New applicants may apply to be assessed for entry by contacting music@citylit.ac.uk.Full fee £429.00 Senior fee £429.00 Concession £300.00
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