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 >
See what it's like be part a City Lit online creative writing course.
- Pottery: beginners' throwing course
Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Carina CiscatoDiscover how to throw and produce interesting forms on the wheel. Learn the basic methods for making simple bowls and vases, ideal for beginners.Full fee £599.00 Senior fee £479.00 Concession £389.00 - Film studies taster Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paul SuttonLearn how to evaluate and discuss films while enjoying a working example of a City Lit Film Studies class. In this class we will view and explore clips from a number of films, including popular remakes, enabling us to consider and compare themes and techniques from differing filmmaking countries. There will be a chance to review – in brief – film courses at City Lit (September - December 2025).Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Literature taster Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Patricia SweeneyDo you want to explore how to go about understanding a poem? How to do a close reading of a work of fiction? Come and find out what makes a literature class at City Lit so special.
The course also presents an overview of our upcoming literature offering in fiction, poetry, drama and literary non-fiction.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - LinkedIn: a short introduction Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Amber Raney-KincadeGet started with LinkedIn with this short introductory course through learning the basics of this important business platform. - Weekend Study: A short History of Subcontinent (With British Museum Visit)Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ketan VariaThe India subcontinent is unique in its heritage and history. It has lasted through invasion, political change and assimilation. It is home to the one of the world’s oldest civilizations, the Indus Valley. Join us on this 2-day study weekend to learn more.
Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Poetry: a taster Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie IrigarayThis short, fun workshop is the perfect starting point for students who are writing for the first time or new to poetry. Join us for thought-provoking writing exercises and poetry theory for beginners.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - TSUBOKI Japanese face massage Course start date: Sat 13 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Kean Street Wellbeing Centre
Tutors: Janet WhiteheadTSUBOKI is Japanese Face Massage that is a wonderfully relaxing yet energising treatment suitable for men or women who want to feel good on the inside and look good on the outside. Rejuvenate your face and reduce wrinkles! Learn Tsuboki Japanese facial massage techniques to use on friends and family. - Introduction to using the sewing machine Course start date: Sun 14 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Renata MinoldoAn introduction to using the sewing machine. Learn how to use the sewing machine safely and competently. We also look at troubleshooting and different sewing techniques.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Becoming confident in digital skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (beginner)Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you know the basics of emailing and internet use? Are you ready to work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook? Then this course is for you. You will start learning how to word process, use spreadsheets and create presentations, vital skills in today’s world inside and outside the workplace. You will also learn the most essential aspects of Outlook so you can send and receive emails and organise them. You will develop these skills by working on key tasks such as letter-writing, budgeting, presenting and contacting work colleagues. By the end of the course you will be able to create well-presented short texts such as letters, design simple budgets and tables, produce effective and attractive presentations and email them to friends and work colleagues. Start your journey today!
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 £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £80.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Wed 7 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nico MensingaLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £120.00 - Comedy improvisationCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mark PhoenixHave fun acting, with theatre games and character exercises. Build your confidence, meet new people while you will learn and practice the key techniques needed for performing improvised comedy scenes. - City Lit ceramics Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alex SimpsonLearn a wide variety of techniques including throwing, handbuilding, decoration and glazing. Ideal for beginners to pottery or for those with some experience.
NOTE: Applications will be reviewed in May 2025. - City Lit basketry Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John PageLearn a wide variety of basketry techniques: stake and strand, plaiting, twining and coiling in materials such as willow, cane, rush, cords, string, paper and possibly other less traditional ones.
This course is suitable for beginners, though some craft experience is expected. Payment plans will be available.
This course will reopen for applications in February 2025. To register your interest for this course, please contact visualarts@citylit.ac.uk.Full fee £3,999.00 Senior fee £3,199.00 Concession £2,599.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: improvers module 1Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nicola HicksDevelop 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 a basic understanding of lipreading consonant and vowel theory, can finger spell and have also either completed beginners modules 1, 2 and 3 or have completed a year’s lipreading classes in the past and want to re-join a course.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £110.00 Concession £85.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: beginners module 1Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nicola HicksThis class is suitable for total beginners who have little or no experience of lipreading or who have completed a lipreading class at any level in the past, but want to go back to basics. You will learn how to recognise some sounds that are visible on the lips and how to use other tactics to support lipreading and how to manage hearing loss.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.
See the ‘What is the course about?’ section in course details for more information.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £110.00 Concession £85.00
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