Screenwriting & Playwriting Courses
Behind every masterpiece, lies a captivating script. Delve into the magical world of screenwriting and playwriting, and learn the vital elements required to create an effective screenplay and script. Develop your writing skills, analyse scripts, and discover what it takes to reach a professional level.
Plus, you’ll get to grips with the fundamental writing principles, and master the technique of bringing your idea and script to life. You’ll explore everything from developing onstage characters to constructing storylines, too.
Above all, screenwriting and playwriting is a creative process. At City Lit we help you through every step of the way, from dealing with writer’s block to pushing you to your creative limits. Not only that, but you’ll also be working and engaging with like-minded individuals, who are all in the process of honing their craft.
Our writing students frequently go on to further study or publication. Read their success stories.
You'll learn from experience tutors that are all published authors and experts in their field. Learn about their recent accomplishments.
For the latest news, courses, events and competitions, stay in touch with the Department on Facebook and X.
- Joke writing
Course start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kate SmurthwaiteUncover the workings of the classic one-liner, practise joke writing and find out what makes a good joke. Learn how to refine and develop your own writing skills for stand up, comedy writing and pleasure.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £65.00 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draftCourse start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clive FordA good screenplay starts with a good story but it also needs structure, good characters and interesting twists. This is a course for writers who have an idea they think is ready to go. We’ll look at the best ways to grab the viewers’ attention from the off, and at the end of the course you’ll get a chance to pitch your ideas.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into screenwriting: getting started Course start date: Sat 21 Mar 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonWant to write scripts but don't know how to start? Discover the basics of screenwriting - character, conflict and more - on this short online course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing for television: getting startedCourse start date: Sat 28 Mar 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Clive FordDo you want to write for an ongoing TV drama or pitch your own idea for a television series? Start your screenwriting journey on this practical short course. Examine the structure of an episodic TV drama, and explore approaches to the genre in a fun, supportive environment.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting started Course start date: Sun 29 Mar 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Henry MartinExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory online course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonLearn to write for the screen on this practical, introductory course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Mon 20 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dawn KingExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory course. Get to grips with dialogue, character, story and structure, and start work on your own play.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £249.00 Concession £125.00 - Writing for television Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bob SchultzDo you want to write a script for television? What do you write and where do you start? Through exercises and examples, this course will assist you in developing your own projects.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Advanced playwriting Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This course is designed for experienced playwrights who have work in-progress.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Developing your screenwriting Course start date: Tue 21 Apr 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Continue your screenwriting journey in this practical intermediate course. Writing exercises, presentations and screenings will teach you key skills, and you’ll begin to produce work and an outline for a full-length project.Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £130.00 - Developing your playwriting: intensive Course start date: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Dawn KingContinue to explore the key elements of dramatic writing, and benefit from supportive and detailed feedback on your own work. New students with some playwriting experience are welcome to join.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00 - Advanced playwriting workshopCourse start date: Fri 24 Apr 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian MullinDive deeper into the key elements of writing for the theatre, gain fresh critical insight into your own writing, and produce a new draft of your work. This workshop is for experienced playwrights with ongoing projects.Full fee £359.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £180.00 - Writing a short film Course start date: Sun 24 May 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanWould you like to write a script for a short film? This short course offers an insight into the fundamentals of screenwriting through tutor input, writing exercises, group work and discussion.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing the personal: autobiographical theatre Course start date: Thu 9 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian MullinLearn how to select and shape your own life experiences into a dynamic text for live performance on this supportive online course. Suitable for those with some experience of creative writing.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £50.00 - Screenwriting for feature film Course start date: Tue 14 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Sharmila ChauhanHave you ever wondered what goes into writing a screenplay? How is it different from theatre, radio or prose? Learn the basics of the craft and develop a script of your own in this creative and analytical workshop.Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £80.00
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