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.
- Lipreading and managing hearing loss: improvers module 3Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 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 and 2.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £110.00 Concession £85.00 - Music theory: grade 4
Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayStudy more complex musical language including duplets, double-dotted rhythms, alto clef, double sharps/flats, the concept of enharmonic equivalence, and recognising and writing common triads. Learn the technical names for scale degrees, and standard ornaments and instruments. NB: scheduled break week: 4th & 25th May 2026.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Japanese 4: module 3Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Hisaka BuntingImprove your level of upper intermediate Japanese. You will be able to understand, speak and listen to more complex expressions in Japanese in various everyday situations.
Suitable if you have studied Japanese for about 6 years or have an equivalent level. Consolidate your knowledge and understanding of the structures of the Japanese language and work on more
complex grammatical structures and functions. Suitable if you have studied Japanese for about 5 years or have an equivalent level.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £239.00 Concession £155.00 - Music theory: counterpoint 3Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Selena KayExplore the art of counterpoint, a musical technique in which two or more melodies are combined to create a highly engaging musical texture. This term will focus on imitative forms including invention, canon and fugue, as well as analysing examples of counterpoint in repertoire from the Baroque period to Twentieth Century. Break weeks 26th May 2026. - Journal inspiration: creative approaches to writing about your life Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Julie GartonThis inspiring, six-week workshop, led by an experienced journaler, encourages students to explore a range of techniques and prompts in order to find an approach to life writing that suits them. - Music history bookclub: Viva Violetta and VerdiCourse start date: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Edward BreenThe music history book club meets towards the end of each term to discuss novels and biographies with musical themes and references relevant to the music history programme.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - How to plot your children’s novel Course start date: Mon 12 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sophie McKenzieYou’re a writer with some experience and a great idea for a children’s novel, but plotting is the thing that lets you down. Over six weeks on this fun and interactive course you’ll learn how to structure your book, finding fresh ways to develop your idea into a compelling plot.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - ACT for people who stammer Course start date: Thu 30 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Carolyn Cheasman, Rachel EverardThis is a powerful approach to therapy. You'll learn to work more effectively with negative thoughts and feelings through acceptance and mindfulness work. You'll also learn how to identify, and move towards, valued goals and directions in your life.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £90.00 Concession £26.00 - London photography: bridges in the city Course start date: Thu 30 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Michael HardingExplore london and capture the beauty of the capitals bridges that span the Thames. This off-site photographic course will have you down to the river with your camera, exploring the diverse architectural designs and structures of bridges on the Thames that connect London. Learn about their history whilst learning the secrets to successful architectural and location photography.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £129.00 - Nutrition, supplements and exercise to lose weight and stay lighter - permanently Course start date: Sat 16 May 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ellie HollyStruggling to find the right diet? Want to lose weight and not be hungry? Wondering about supplements? Learn how to devise a healthy diet and routine which promotes weight loss and fits in with your lifestyle.Full fee £59.00 Senior fee £59.00 Concession £59.00 - Drawing and mindfulness: into abstractionCourse start date: Thu 4 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clare Barton-HarveyExplore how mindfulness can enrich the process of drawing, as we encounter a range of approaches to making abstract drawings, with reference to artist’s work. This course offers a great introduction to mindful drawing or ways to explore it more deeply. A practical drawing course exploring the visual language of abstraction, with reference to colour, composition, tone and layering.
Full fee £209.00 Senior fee £167.00 Concession £136.00 - Artists sketchbook walk Course start date: Sat 5 Jul 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Heidi WigmoreTake a sketchbook walk in Central London to observe, record and engage with the urban environment, both historic architecture, modern skylines, the river and parks. Quick sketching, supported by discussion and reflection along the way, will open up new ways of seeing and responding to your surroundings. Meet at City Lit main entrance.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £79.00 - Letizia Battaglia: Life, love and deathCourse start date: Sat 11 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ottavia CastellinaTo coincide with the Lucrezia Battaglia exhibition currently running at the Photographers' Gallery in London, this seminar will introduce you to the life and work of the noted Italian photographer Lucrezia Battaglia.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Music history bookclub: Charles Jessold, Considered as a MurdererCourse start date: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Edward BreenThe music history book club meets towards the end of each term to discuss novels and biographies with musical themes and references relevant to the music history programme.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Sketching at the National GalleryCourse start date: Thu 23 Jul 2026
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 £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
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