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.
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19 courses available
Playwriting: a tasterGive 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.Online
Mon 30 Nov 2026Brian MullinFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00- Screenwriting: a tasterGive 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.
Online
Thu 3 Dec 2026Alan NixonFull fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £19.00 - Advanced playwriting workshopDive 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
- Ways into screenwriting: getting startedWant 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 £51.00
- Advanced playwritingDive 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 screenwritingContinue 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
- Writing for televisionDo 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
- Ways into screenwritingLearn 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 playwritingExplore 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
- Developing your playwritingContinue 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 £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00
- Introduction to writing microdramas: scripting the two-minute show
Curious about the microdramas taking over your phone? Learn the basics of writing vertical drama, the fastest-growing scripted format in the world.
Online
Sun 21 Feb 2027Bob SchultzFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Joke writingUncover 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.
Online
Sat 13 Mar 2027Kate SmurthwaiteFull fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Write your screenplay: from idea to first draftA 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.
Online
Sat 20 Mar 2027Clive FordFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Writing for television: getting startedDo 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.
Keeley Street
Sat 27 Mar 2027Angela ClarkeFull fee £79.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £51.00 - Ways into playwriting: getting startedExplore 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 £51.00
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