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.
- Streets of Horror, Streets of Hope: The East End, 1888Course start date: Tue 8 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah WiseBecause of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ killings, the late-Victorian East End can be read as a cityscape of poverty and fear. But there is another Whitechapel – a magnet for a variety of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who sought to grapple with the problems of the modern city and to create a better life.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Sketching at the museum: Tate Britain
Course start date: Thu 10 Jul 2025Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Mario Lautier VellaExplore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic artworks at Tate Britain. - Site specific sculpture: TateCourse start date: Sun 13 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Valerie MerloThis two-day course immerses you in modern and contemporary sculpture through a guided visit to Tate Modern and a practical session at City Lit’s sculpture studio. On the first day, explore key works, discuss techniques, and gather inspiration with an expert tutor. On the second day, develop an exhibition proposal or create a small 3D artwork using clay, plaster, latex, and wax, while exploring foundational sculptural concepts in a supportive, hands-on environment.
Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00 - Late Victorian Soho: From Sex and Shopping to Police & Radical PoliticsCourse start date: Tue 15 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah WiseThe West End was a heady mix of glamorous shopping emporia, political refugees from Europe, street-based and brothel-based prostitution, and the general public just enjoying a day or evening ‘Up West’. Join Dr. Sarah Wise to learn more on this 2 hour guided walk of Soho.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Spanish 3/4: revisit and consolidateCourse start date: Tue 15 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Óscar Salgado SuárezPractise your intermediate spoken Spanish and develop your language skills in these topical discussion classes. Suitable if you have recently studied Spanish for at least four years or equivalent.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Poetry masterclass at Keats House, Hampstead Course start date: Sun 20 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
This advanced day workshop explores approaches to poetry and workshopping techniques in the idyllic surroundings of Keats House, the former Hampstead residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats. - Spanish beginners: revisionCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Analía ToloneRevise and consolidate your speaking and listening skills, as well as your grammar. Suitable if you have completed 'Spanish 1: module 3' or have an equivalent knowledge of the language (one year's study).
Please see the How will I be taught? section below for details on your chosen course's format and mode of delivery.
Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Sketching at the museum: National Gallery Course start date: Thu 24 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane MartinExplore the pleasure and challenge of sketchbooks: learn and improve your drawing skills and ‘ways of seeing’ and understanding by working from some of the iconic paintings in the National Gallery.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Poetry and nature workshop at Keats House, Hampstead Course start date: Sat 2 Aug 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Eleanor PennyA two-day writing workshop on poetry and nature, set in the former residence of the Romantic poet, John Keats, as well as nearby Hampstead Heath. - Walking Westminster's Political HistoryCourse start date: Tue 9 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Richard WatkinsA course of walking tours in areas of Westminster to show aspects of the nation’s political development since the late 1600s Restoration era. Bringing out the drama of the epic events and charismatic characters which have influenced that development and how London has evolved in those areas we focus on.
First meeting place: Outside Westminster tube, Bridge Street.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £103.00 - City of words: London's literary landscapeCourse start date: Thu 11 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonLondon has been muse, magnet and mecca to writers for 400 years, home to Shakespeare's successes, Dickens' dramas and Wilde's witticisms. After an introductory lecture (via zoom) we walk a different London neighbourhood each week exploring its literary connections.Break week/No class: 09/10/25. Initial lecture is on zoom . This is followed by 7 guided walks.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Discover North London through walksCourse start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Diane BursteinDiscover the history of North London via guided walks. Great views, green spaces , places of worship, almshouses, plaques to famous people ,some lesser known museums, lots of hidden history and a couple of famous football stadiums will all feature..
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00 - London at Leisure: Three Great SquaresCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Eleanor JacksonToo often we rush around without looking, this course takes time to examine 3 of London’s most famous Squares in depth. A gentle walk allows us to explore these London landmarks at our leisure.Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £71.00 Concession £58.00 - City Lit a cappella Course start date: Wed 30 Apr 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Della RhodesThis small ensemble of experienced harmony singers learn, record and perform original arrangements of jazz and popular songs. Develop your listening, timing, intonation, musical memory, and team work. New members with good music reading and aural skills are welcome.Full fee £189.00 Senior fee £189.00 Concession £132.00 - First Steps in Reading and WritingCourse start date: Thu 8 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Do you need help with reading and writing English? Can you write the letters of the alphabet or do you need to practise? Do you need to improve your spelling? Can you use numbers and count up to 100 or do you need help? On this course you will learn how to write individual letters, spell whole words, write simple sentences, read whole words, read simple sentences and understand notices. You will become confident in your speaking. And you will also practise the maths you need for everyday life so you can shop, use money and measure things correctly.
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 £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £90.00
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