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.
- Christmas at the cinemaCourse start date: Sat 13 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John WischmeyerCarefully-curated Christmas cornucopia overflows with seasonal films, from new entry The Holdovers (2023 Alexander Payne) to Home Alone (1990 Chris Columbus/John Hughes). This is a celebration of the genre of the Christmas film packed with clips and hidden gems: Scrooge (1951 Brian Desmond Hurst) remixed as a film noir, Lindsay Anderson’s Every Day Except Christmas (1957), his film about the old Covent Garden market later seen in My Fair Lady (1964) or Hitchcock’s Frenzy (1972) just before it closed down. Full of delights, discussions and a grown man dressed as an Elf (2003).Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - History of ideas: the invention of ChristmasCourse start date: Sat 13 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Angela PlattBeginning around the middle of the 19th century, a ‘new Christmas’ came into the fore; a reinvented Christmas, if you will. Why did this Christmas shift as it did – to produce the modern celebration many people still enjoy today? In this course, the stories of those groups and individuals who impacted this ‘reinvention of Christmas’ will be shared.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Creative arts for bookbinding I: decorative paper techniques
Course start date: Sat 13 Dec 2025Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate RochesterTry out a range of decorative techniques for paper including paste papers, dip dyed papers, rubber stamps and Japanese marbling for bookbinding use or as individual pieces. Suitable for beginners. - Lamplit HampsteadCourse start date: Mon 15 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneDiscover the mysterious atmosphere to Hampstead on a tour after-dark where the streets are lit by old-fashioned lamps. We will wind through the narrow back streets and catch glimpses of its fascinating history from the glow of lamps and lit buildings. This tour is particularly stunning over the Festive season where subtle Christmas lights add to the effect. We will end at the historic Holly Bush Tavern where we can warm up with a drink!
Tour starts outside Wagamama 58-62 Heath Street, NW3 1EN Ends Hampstead Tube Station.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Hindi through Bollywood singingCourse start date: Tue 16 Dec 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Roopam AggarwalLearn to speak Hindi and develop your listening and speaking skills in this communicative class which emphasizes the practical use of the language via singing. Suitable for complete beginners.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - English grammar for deaf people (entry 1) - part 2Course start date: Mon 5 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is suitable if you have enough vocabulary to be able to read and write basic sentences. During this course, you will learn more vocabulary and grammar to help you talk, read and write about yourself, your family and friends and complete forms, short sms and e-mails. 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 - Ceramics: surface decoration on clayCourse start date: Mon 5 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Trish SpenceWorking with paper stencil, block printing on unfired clay, biscuit and glazed surfaces, you will create pattern and images with slips, oxides, glaze and on-glaze enamels on simple moulded forms and tiles.Full fee £339.00 Senior fee £271.00 Concession £220.00 - Carving in wood Course start date: Tue 13 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alexandra Harley.Full fee £529.00 Senior fee £423.00 Concession £344.00 - English for deaf people: Getting started with vocabulary - part 2 (pre-entry)Course start date: Wed 7 Jan 2026
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 - English for deaf people: Reading for pleasure (entry 1) - part 2Course start date: Thu 8 Jan 2026
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 - Beginners' bookbinding IICourse start date: Fri 9 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alessia TumbioloCome and immerse yourself in the art of bookbinding with this 6-week, accessible introduction. Whether you're taking your first steps or picking up the craft again, this course will equip you with essential techniques that will enable you to start creating your own handcrafted books and containers. Beginners will build strong foundational skills, while returners can refresh their skills and explore new creative possibilities.
Full fee £409.00 Senior fee £327.00 Concession £266.00 - Pottery: Saturday throwing courseCourse start date: Sat 10 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Carina CiscatoFor beginners or those with some experience of throwing, this is an ideal chance to experiment, refine and develop your skills at the wheel.Full fee £599.00 Senior fee £479.00 Concession £389.00 - Six day taster course in ceramicsCourse start date: Sun 11 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alex SimpsonIdeal if you are a beginner and would like to experience and explore the major ways of making pottery – throwing and hand building. Pots will be decorated, glazed and fired during the course.Full fee £599.00 Senior fee £479.00 Concession £389.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: improvers module 2Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026 (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 completed improvers module 1.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £110.00 Concession £85.00 - The essential history of jazz in 20 cutsCourse start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Albi GravenerThrough a selection of 20 iconic albums, we will study the key figures, the innovators and the star soloists of 20th century jazz, as well as some important artists you might be less familiar with. Break week: 16 Feb 2026.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list