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.
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- 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. - Tap dance: beginnersCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jacqueline PertIf you are new to tap then this is the place to start. Come and find your dancing feet. Suitable for students of all ages with good general fitness. Tap shoes are essential.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £139.00 - Singing 1Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Siobhan BlakeStart singing and explore your voice in this fun, confidence-building course. These classes will introduce you to healthy use of your singing voice and basic musicianship through a selection of songs from a variety of genres. Break week 27th October 2025.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £195.00 - Recorders: return to playingCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Layil BarrDiscover the joy of this delightful instrument. Learn the basics of fingering and articulation to play melodies both in unison and in ensemble. Please bring your own descant and/or treble. Break week: 26 May 2025.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00 - Botanical illustration
Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alison BarrattLearn how Botanical Illustrators accurately depict flowers, leaves, stems and seeds - for the purpose of genus and species identification by Botanists and Biologists.
Work from both primary and secondary source material to create an array of illustrative work, including anatomical and/or decorative.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - City Lit calligraphy Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Emiko Hashiguchi, Veiko Kespersaks, Sharon ShawStudy calligraphy with this in-depth, three term programme that will equip you with the essential techniques required for beautiful cursive handwriting. The course will cover specialist skills-based training in Calligraphy with Design, blending traditional skills with an introduction to the latest trends in the calligraphy and design world. An exciting, challenging, and thorough introduction to the art of calligraphy.
Please note this course runs on Monday evenings from 6 - 8.30pm for 32 weeks, plus one Saturday day from 10:30 - 16:30 per term.
Term 1 dates Mondays 15/09/2025 - 20/10/2025 (Half-term 27/10) 03/11/2025 - 08/12/2025
Saturday 06/12/2025
Term 2 dates Mondays 05/01/2026 - 09/02/2026 (Half-term 09/02) 23/02/2026 - 30/03/2026
Saturday 28/02/2026
Term 3 dates Mondays 20/04/2026 - 27/04/2026 (Bank Holiday 05/05) 11/05/2026 - 18/05/2026
(Bank Holiday 25/05) 01/06/2026- 20/07/2026
Saturday 23/05/2026.Full fee £1,399.00 Senior fee £1,119.00 Concession £909.00 - Music theory: grades 1 and 2Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayLearn the basic principles of musical language and notation: rhythmic values, time signatures, pitch on treble and bass clefs, simple major scales, intervals and key signatures, and the most common musical terms and signs. Break week 27th October 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Norwegian beginners tasterCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Finn BuggeCome and discover Norwegian on this lively online taster.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Exploring classical music 1Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward BreenDo you want to know more about Western classical music? Explore selected topics and key works in Medieval to (early) Baroque music on this informative 10-week course. Ideal for people with no specialist knowledge. NB: Break week: 27 Oct 2025.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Craft focus: grammar, syntax, and style for creative writers Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: William BradyGreat poetry and prose begin when the writer puts the right words in the right places. Learn how and why the rules and conventions of language matter in this new course, which combines creative writing with a review of essential points of grammar.Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £179.00 Concession £90.00 - A Taste of Film StudiesCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John WischmeyerWhat does film studies involve? Learn how to enjoy, discuss and criticise films while being part of a real-time working example of a City Lit film studies class. We will view clips from a wide variety of films, exploring themes and technique in current City Lit courses 25/26.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: beginners module 3Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Christine HathwayThis class is suitable for if you have completed beginners modules 1 and 2 or have completed a lipreading class in the past and already have a basic understanding of lipreading theory and fingerspelling. You will develop your lipreading and fingerspelling skills and build your confidence.
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 - Piano/keyboards 1B Course start date: Thu 8 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cheslav SinghA near-beginners’ course for pianists. If you have completed Piano/keyboards 1A or and have basic keyboard and music reading skills in C position, this course will introduce you to more notes.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £160.00 - Classical ballet: beginners Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Giovanna LambogliaDesigned for the complete beginner or for those wanting to go back to basics. Develop knowledge and skill in this enjoyable Ballet class which provides a fun and satisfying way to improve alignment, muscle tone, flexibility and coordination. The classes will also help to improve any other dance styles you might be practicing.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Piano/keyboards 1A Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Jonathan WilsonThis is the beginning of our piano programme, designed for absolute beginners to both piano and music-reading. This classic course is the perfect way to start your piano playing.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £174.00
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