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 >
- English communication skills - for life and work (entry)Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you want to improve your reading and writing of English and your spoken communication skills? Would you like to practise your computer and digital skills at the same time? Do you need to work on your maths? You can do all of this in this class. On this course you will improve your writing, reading, speaking, listening, your maths and digital skill by discussing important topics,completing creative tasks and visiting places such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Transport Museum, cafes, libraries, and markets. You will learn how to express yourself confidently when talking, writing and using the computer, read and write full sentences in English, fill in forms on paper and on the computer, understand and write important letters and emails land make appointments. You will become confident in your spelling, vocabulary, using capital letters, full stops and expressing your thoughts and feelings. You will practise searching for information on the Internet. And you will learn the maths you need for everyday life such as adding up your shopping costs and calculating your weekly budget. This course will help you learn all the most important skills you need in life.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
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 £219.00 Concession £110.00 - BSL level 1Course start date: Thu 8 Jan 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 £779.00 Senior fee £779.00 Concession £584.00 - English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 1)Course start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
For students who can speak or write only a few words in English or maybe none at all. On this beginners' course, you will learn new words and grammar, how to ask and answer questions, how to read and write about yourself, your family, and friends, and how to complete forms and short emails.
You need to do a pre-course assessment. Contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 8078 0489 for a face-to-face assessment or click the Start Assessment button on this page. Log on with your email address (not name).
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 £289.00 Senior fee £231.00 Concession £145.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: beginners module 2Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This class is suitable for if you have completed module 1 or have completed the one term introduction to lipreading class or have attended a lipreading class at any level in the past, but want to go back to basics. 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 - Debating: beginnersCourse start date: Wed 14 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Gavin IllsleyDebating requires the ability to speak English persuasively in public and, crucially, to respond rapidly to other people’s objections to what you say. We will cover the theory and practice of debating, and you will progress quickly in areas of content, strategy and style. A great mental workout. This course will be taught in the college.
Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £139.00 Concession £97.00 - Contemporary printmaking studio: focus on creative layeringCourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Anne-Marie FosterThis course is a chance to develop personal artwork, using traditional printmaking methods with a contemporary approach. Experiment and embrace the possibilities within combined layers and surface textures. Processes covered include monotype, screen-printing and etching/intaglio. All levels of experience welcome.Full fee £689.00 Senior fee £551.00 Concession £448.00 - Voice technique: beginnersCourse start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate MontagueImprove the quality and clarity of your voice through posture, breath capacity and control, articulation, forward placement and pitch. For anyone who wants to make the most of their voice. This course will be taught in the college
Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - Illustrating animalsCourse start date: Thu 18 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ciara FloodOn this course you will explore illustrating animals and their gestural qualities using a variety of different mediums.
Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - First Steps in Reading and WritingCourse start date: Thu 15 Jan 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
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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 £179.00 - Ways into abstract paintingCourse start date: Fri 16 Jan 2026 (and 7 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Mario Lautier VellaEncounter different approaches to making abstract paintings while developing your skills in using a range of painting materials. With reference to the work of a variety of abstract artists explore the visual language common to both representation and abstraction, eg. colour, composition, tone and paint application.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00 - Fine art photography: focus on black and whiteCourse start date: Fri 19 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sara Leigh LewisShape, form, pattern and texture take on added significance in black-and-white photography. Without colour to guide the eye, contrast, lighting, and composition take on even more importance. Discover these elements and the basic rules of black and white photography.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Jewellery making: all levelsCourse start date: Sat 20 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kevin StevensonEver wanted to make your own jewellery? Try out jewellery-making, getting to grips with the basic processes and techniques for using metal to create simple yet beautiful earrings, rings, pendants and bracelets to your own
designs.Full fee £419.00 Senior fee £335.00 Concession £272.00 - Modern copperplate calligraphy for improversCourse start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veiko KespersaksLearn how to write elegant letterforms using a pointed pen with ink. Once you have learnt how to write a basic copperplate alphabet, we will begin breaking the rules of traditional calligraphy to find a style that is all your own. The course is suitable for beginners as well as improvers, and both left-handers and right-handers.Full fee £449.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £292.00 - Writing for businessCourse start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Deborah MartinMasterclass sessions packed with ways to develop an advanced skillset, to write persuasive and informative emails, reports and proposals. Learn about the elements of language, style and structure that you need to write to a sophisticated level in the workplace.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Writing for childrenCourse start date: Tue 23 Sep 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Neil ArkseyAlways wanted to write a children's book? This practical course will develop your ability to write for different age groups and genres of contemporary children's fiction.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00
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