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.
- Ways into screenwriting: getting started
Course start date: Sun 12 Jul 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 online taster course that will help you shape your ideas and get your story going.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting started Course start date: Sat 18 Jul 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Dawn KingExplore the fundamental techniques of writing for the stage in this introductory short 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 - Writing for podcasts Course start date: Sat 1 Aug 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Eleanor PennyPodcasts are growing rapidly in popularity, and more and more people are making their own. Find out about the different kinds of writing involved in producing a podcast, hone your skills and, with support from your tutor, develop your own ideas for audio.
Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Jump start your play Course start date: Sat 8 Aug 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Brian MullinHave you got a script idea but not yet put pen to paper, or a script you started but never finished? This intensive short course will help you inject new energy into your idea – and get started writing. Only suitable for those with playwriting experience.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Writing comedy for TV in the online age Course start date: Sat 8 Aug 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonDo you want to find out more about writing comedy? Explore some fundamental aspects of humorous scriptwriting for television, beginning with sketches, and looking at sitcoms from initial idea through to finished script.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £40.00 - Playwriting: a taster Course start date: Tue 8 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nicole AcquahGive playwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Screenwriting: a taster Course start date: Sat 12 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Alan NixonGive screenwriting a try in this fun and supportive one-off taster session. Ideal if you want to unlock your imagination and express yourself, but need a bit of encouragement to get started.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Ways into screenwriting Course start date: Mon 14 Sep 2026 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Nico MensingaLearn 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 £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £175.00 - Ways into playwriting Course start date: Mon 14 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Explore 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 £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £175.00 - Advanced playwriting Course start date: Tue 15 Sep 2026 (and 3 other dates)
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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Developing your screenwriting Course start date: Thu 17 Sep 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Billy CookContinue 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Advanced playwriting workshop Course start date: Fri 18 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
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 £389.00 Senior fee £389.00 Concession £253.00 - Developing your playwriting Course start date: Mon 21 Sep 2026 (and 1 other date)
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 prior playwriting experience are welcome to join.Full fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Writing for television Course start date: Tue 12 Jan 2027
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Clive FordDo 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draft Course start date: Sat 20 Mar 2027
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 £51.00
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