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 >
- Using Apple Mac OS: short introductionCourse start date: Fri 1 Aug 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael HardingLearn about Apple Mac computers: the desktop, layout and environment, how to open, save and close files, and navigate the operating system.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £47.00 Concession £38.00 - Podcasting: introductionCourse start date: Fri 13 Jun 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Vina TheodorakopoulouDo you want to create your own podcast? This is your chance to develop your ideas into a podcast which you will produce in this course.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Drawing 1Course start date: Fri 26 Sep 2025 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian SayersAn introduction to drawing from observation through a carefully structured approach in a studio environment. Suitable for beginners.Full fee £449.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £292.00 - Painting for beginnersCourse start date: Fri 13 Mar 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Amanda BrackenExperience the enjoyment of painting in a studio environment. Through simple exercises you will explore colour mixing and methods of applying paint using a variety of brushes and tools. Start to paint a basic composition from still-life, mixing and matching the colours and textures observed.
Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - 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: Fri 1 May 2026 (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 - 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 - Botanical illustrationCourse 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 - Ways into creative writingCourse start date: Fri 26 Sep 2025 (and 20 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Claire CollisonWant to have a go at creative writing in a supportive environment? Join one of these introductory courses. Guided exercises will give you the tools to explore language creatively and find your own writing voice.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Writing creative non-fictionCourse start date: Mon 28 Apr 2025 (and 12 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Paul LaffanExplore practical and imaginative approaches to creative non fiction, including travel writing, life writing and the essay. Analyse published work, produce your own pieces, and benefit from detailed feedback.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Sing with confidenceCourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katherine StrohmaierIf you are nervous of singing in public, scared to open your mouth or just want to know how your voice works, this course is for you. Classes are fun and cover a wide range of musical styles, so there is something for everyone. Break week 31st Oct 2025.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £223.00 Concession £195.00 - Dance 60+Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolJoin our weekly dance and movement classes to improve mobility, posture, balance and coordination. Our aim is to inspire older men and women to get creative with dance and movement.Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £139.00 - Voiceovers: beginnersCourse start date: Fri 3 Oct 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John EastmanExplore ‘on mic’ the skills and techniques required across a range of audio/voiceover situations, from radio commercials to talking books and beyond. This course will be in the media studio.Full fee £319.00 Senior fee £319.00 Concession £223.00 - BSL level 1Course start date: Fri 8 May 2026 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Antony RabinHave you always wanted to learn British Sign Language and communicate with Deaf people? Develop the skills you need to gain the level 1 BSL qualification, accredited by Signature. The fees for BSL level 1 courses include a year's subscription to Signworld.
You may wish to study BSL without the pressure of an exam, or just for fun. We can arrange for you to be taught without a formal final assessment and you will receive a certificate of attendance.Full fee £679.00 Senior fee £569.00 Concession £514.00
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