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 >
- Ways into poetry: intensiveCourse start date: Tue 20 May 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alice FrecknallAre you just starting to write poetry? This shorter version of our introductory Ways into poetry course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Ways into creative writing: intensiveCourse start date: Wed 28 May 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Lucy PopescuNot sure whether creative writing is for you? Give it a try on one of these fun and supportive short courses covering the basics of fiction and poetry. Increase your confidence and produce work through guided exercises and discussion.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Chinese beginners: short introductionCourse start date: Sat 31 May 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Xiaolan BiGet a short introduction to the Chinese language and discover aspects of Chinese language culture in these lively online communicative classes. Suitable for complete beginners.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £71.00 - Writing creative non-fiction: intensiveCourse start date: Wed 11 Jun 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Erica BuistThis shorter version of our introductory creative non-writing course explores the core elements of creative non-fiction across genres such as travel writing, the personal essay and life writing.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - French 2 upper: focus on listeningCourse start date: Tue 2 Dec 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Valerie JézéquelThis skills-based course is for lower intermediate learners of French and aims to train you on strategies you can apply to listen more effectively to spoken French in a variety of different contexts. You will also look at elements of French pronunciation to give you a better idea of how French is spoken.Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £49.00 Concession £49.00 - Arabic 2 revisionCourse start date: Tue 15 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nora Allali-CarlingConsolidate your elementary knowledge of Arabic in this online lively course. Suitable if you have studied Arabic for two years or have an equivalent level.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Full fee £89.00 Senior fee £89.00 Concession £89.00
- Piano/keyboards: revision for levels 1 and 2Course start date: Tue 22 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesStudy pieces from the current Grade 2 piano syllabus. Learn the required scales and try some aural tests. An ideal way to boost your learning over the summer.
Tutor: Ana Claudia Magalhaes.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £76.00 - Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £109.00 Concession £76.00
- English communication skills for life and work (ESOL entry 2)Course start date: Tue 15 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Can you have short conversations in English, and read and write simple emails, but want to do more? This course will help you talk, read and write about more interesting subjects and make fewer mistakes so people can understand you, you can understand them and you can read and write important messages, emails, forms and news stories. You will improve your vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation. By the end of this three-term programme you will able to interact confidently with English speakers in your daily life. You can join the course at any time.
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 - Access to HE diploma: humanities and social science (evenings)Course start date: Tue 17 Sep 2024 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Applications for the September 2025 start are now open.
This course has 4 free spaces for learners aged 19-23, who meet the residency criteria and who have not previously achieved a full level 3 qualification. We can also offer 3 free spaces for over people over 24 on the Free Courses for Jobs scheme if you meet the criteria. These places are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis to applicants who fully meet the course entry requirements.
If you are not eligible for a free place you can apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from Student Finance England (SFE).
Please click Start Assessment on the course page.
The Access to Higher Education Diploma (Humanities and Social Science) is a qualification designed for anyone who has left school without the usual qualifications (GCSEs or A-levels) and wishes to study at university.
It is a highly intensive, fast-track route to higher education, where you will complete the equivalent of 3 A-Levels in one year, and requires attendance ONLINE via ZOOM two nights per week (on Tuesdays and Thursdays) from 6-9.15pm, as well as online tutorials every two to three weeks (from 5pm) and substantial private study. These dates and times are non-negotiable and you are required to attend every session. There may also be optional study sessions at our Central London Campus on one Saturday each term.
Due to the course's intensity, priority will be given to applications from those who are serious and sure about progressing to degree level study and are ready to take on the intense challenge that the year will bring.
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 £3022.00 payable at the time of your enrolment. If you are unable to pay the course fees, you can choose to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan from Student Finance England (SFE) to help cover the course fee. The Advanced Learning Loan is written off on completion of a Higher Education degree course. You can find more information about the Advanced Learner Loan www.citylit.ac.uk/advanced-learner-loans
For more information, please call Access to HE Diploma (Humanities) on 020 8078 0486.Full fee £3,022.00 Senior fee £3,022.00 Concession £3,022.00 - Acting: Foundation (Certificate Level 2)Course start date: Thu 16 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Cara Jennings, Vernon Thompson, Martin WimpressDo you want to be an actor but find it hard to fit the training around your other commitments? This intensive and practical accredited course, running two weekday evenings each week, provides classes in the core disciplines of acting, voice and movement, and culminates in a showing of contemporary scenework to an invited audience. Successful candidates achieve the Level 2 Certificate in Performing Arts awarded by OCN London.Full fee £1,499.00 Senior fee £1,499.00 Concession £1,499.00
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