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 >
- Hungarian beginners tasterCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eva PallaghyCome and discover Hungarian in this lively taster.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Chinese beginners tasterCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Xiaolan BiCome and discover Chinese Mandarin in this lively taster.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Reflexology: taster workshopCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Experience the relaxing benefits of hand and foot reflexology and learn how to relieve stress using basic reflexology techniques.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Creative writing: a tasterCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Give creative writing a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £10.00 - Playwriting: a tasterCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahGive playwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Walking Westminster's Political HistoryCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Richard WatkinsA course of walking tours in areas of Westminster to show aspects of the nation’s political development since the late 1600s Restoration era. Bringing out the drama of the epic events and charismatic characters which have influenced that development and how London has evolved in those areas we focus on.
First meeting place: Outside Westminster tube, Bridge Street.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: a tasterCourse start date: Wed 10 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Julie GartonHave you had experiences that will move, delight or entertain readers? This taster session in creative non-fiction explores approaches to capturing your most poignant moments and crafting them into inspiring pieces of literature.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - English for deaf people: Getting started with vocabulary - part 1 (pre-entry)Course start date: Wed 10 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is suitable if you have recently arrived in the UK from abroad and/or missed out on the education at school due to communication barriers. This course will help you to develop your basic communication skills in various social settings such as starting, maintaining and ending the conversations, confirming your understanding of the conversation flow and/or ask for clarification if/when necessary, asking and answering questions on various social topics etc. You will develop your basic vocabulary linked to everyday life, spelling and punctuation.You will also develop basic study skills to help you to complete simple tasks and do homework on your own. This course has no exam. To be able to participate in this course, you will need to have basic BSL skills.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Full fee £0.00 - City of words: London's literary landscapeCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon has been muse, magnet and mecca to writers for 400 years, home to Shakespeare's successes, Dickens' dramas and Wilde's witticisms. After an introductory lecture (via zoom) we walk a different London neighbourhood each week exploring its literary connections.Break week/No class: 09/10/25. Initial lecture is on zoom . This is followed by 7 guided walks.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Drawing into paintingCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Tony HullGain an understanding of the creative journey from a drawing to finished painting. Explore the creative potential when drawing and painting activities are combined.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00 - Becoming confident with digital skills and AI chat: on your computer and online (beginner)Course start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Are you new to computers and the Internet? Do you need to increase your confidence with digital skills? This course will ensure you have a solid foundation in using computers and being online. You will learn the essential features of creating, saving, storing different types of files and documents, including photos and letters in Word. You will develop your internet skills to find information quickly and efficiently, and learn how to transfer this information to different documents and people. You will also learn the basics of how of how to use Zoom to host meetings and communicate effectively online. Finally, you do all of this while learning how to remain safe online and to keep your files secure.
This course is FREE if you are employed and on a low wage or you are claiming benefits. For more information Click here
Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £85.00 - Anatomy and physiology: access to level 3Course start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Tutors: Janet WhiteheadDid you know that 80% of your brain is water or that your tongue is the strongest muscle in the body? Gain a basic understanding of the major systems of the body and how they interact with each other. Tutor: Alan Billington. - The men who built LondonCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon was shaped by its architects, engineers, bricklayers, navies etc. Our lecture and walks examine London’s buildings and the men (and women) who worked throughout history to create this eclectic and wonderful city.
First lecture will be delivered via zoom followed by 8 guided walks. Break week/no class 09/10/25.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - English for deaf people: Reading for pleasure (entry 1) - part 1Course start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
The aim of this course is to develop your reading skills in a friendly and supportive environment. During this course you will read various book stories chosen by the tutor. You will also be discussing your reading materials in BSL, learning new vocabulary and exploring the structure of English. This course has no exams.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Full fee £0.00 - ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Massage: fast-trackCourse start date: Fri 9 Jan 2026 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Tutors: Oge OkohConsidering massage therapy as a career? Learn the theory and practice of massage at a professional level. City Lit is a leading training provider in London for Massage and Complementary Therapies, providing outstanding achievement at high industry standards. Our courses are taught by experienced and practising industry professionals who have current knowledge of the massage sector. If you’ve applied for this course and not heard back from us, please email us on health@citylit.ac.uk, or call us (Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00) on 020 8142 4577.
We have a limited number of free places on this course under the government's Free Courses for Jobs initiative. This offer is for eligible applicants who are Londoners on a Low-Income or on Active-Benefits or Other-Benefits or if you do not already have a full level 3 qualification. For more information click here
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
The course fee is £1679.00. If you are unable to pay the course fee upfront, you can choose to apply for an Advanced Learning Loan from the Student Loans Company (SLC) to help cover the cost. The Advanced Learner loan available for this course is £1679.00. The Loan is repayable after the course ends. For more information, please call Health & Wellbeing on 020 8142 4577. You can find more information about the Advanced Learner Loan here www.citylit.ac.uk/advanced-learner-loansFull fee £1,679.00 Senior fee £1,679.00 Concession £1,679.00
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