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 >
- Composition techniquesCourse start date: Tue 29 Apr 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonDevelop your skills in composing. Analyse selected techniques and apply them to your own composition project. Good music theory knowledge needed (grade 7 or equivalent).
*break week: 27 May 2025.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - Piano: workshop 4Course start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Ana Claudia MagalhaesIf you play piano at around grade 4 standard, join our Piano workshop 4 to develop your playing by studying a wide range of piano repertoire, with a focus on technique, practice and performance skills. - Portraits and people photographyCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lorenzo BerniDiscover the secrets of successful portraiture, from the studio-lit portrait to street and documentary photography, or those special moments for the family album. Gain confidence in photographing people through practical work indoors and out, teaching you invaluable skills in lighting, composition and poses, to produce a beautiful portrait portfolio.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Piano/keyboards 4ACourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Edward HendersonFor pianists with around three years' experience. Improve your finger technique, coordination, phrasing, music
reading, and your confidence.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £153.00 - Exploring the music of Richard StraussCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Katy HamiltonFrom the heady waltzes of Der Rosenkavalier to the awe-inspiring opening of Also sprach Zarathrustra, come and delve into the life and works of the brilliant – and controversial – composer and conductor, Richard Strauss.
Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £188.00 - Lipreading and managing hearing loss: advancedCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Adam GurneyDevelop 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 a lipreading class at improvers' level.
This course will be taught in spoken English and not in sign language.Full fee £399.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £200.00 - City Lit textiles: mixed mediaCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Renata MinoldoInvestigate mixed-media textiles through this project-based course which introduces a variety of materials, techniques and design processes. You will develop a creative portfolio of textile samples using sketchbook research and finally work towards a finished piece.Full fee £499.00 Senior fee £399.00 Concession £324.00 - Piano/keyboards 1CCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Lucia Sanchez de HaroThis is the third term in our beginners piano programme. If you have completed ‘Piano/keyboards 1B’ or have existing keyboard and music reading skills, this course will further develop your technique and musicianship. This is an online course, please see below for details. Break weeks: 3rd May and 31st May 2021.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £174.00 - City Lit wind ensemble: intermediateCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Pamela Pecko SmithExplore the wonderful repertoire for mixed wind ensemble, developing your technical, musical and ensemble skills. You need to play an orchestral wind instrument (including saxophone) at grade 3 standard or higher. Break week 28th October 2025. - Writing fictionCourse start date: Mon 22 Sep 2025 (and 8 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Develop your creative writing skills on this practical intermediate course. You'll explore the fundamentals of fiction-writing craft, such as character and structure, and unlock your imagination to produce compelling prose. Suitable for those with some creative writing experience.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Writing creative non-fictionCourse start date: Thu 8 May 2025 (and 11 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 - 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 - Dance 60+ performanceCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Francis AngolOur aim is to inspire older men and women within the community to get creative through dance and movement, and to inspire others through performance. An ideal opportunity to flex both mind and body in this uplifting creative experience where you will get the chance to explore and discover your creative potential through dance and performance. - Foundation diploma in art and designCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: MultipleThe UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at City Lit is an exciting and challenging multi-disciplinary art, design, craft and media programme. It is designed to give you the best possible introduction to a wide range of materials, techniques and processes, and to support you in identifying and developing your creative interests and thinking. Validated by the University of the Arts London Awarding Body, it is an internationally recognised qualification with a UCAS tariff that enables you to apply directly to University.
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
- Sing with confidenceCourse start date: Tue 16 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
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.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £195.00
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