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 >
- Private portraits: European miniatures at the V&ACourse start date: Wed 21 May 2025
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresPortrait miniatures are some of the most exquisite likenesses ever produced, initially gaining favour in the court of Henry VIII as love tokens and tiny pieces of propaganda. This session in the V&A’s collection of portrait miniatures can be taken as a single stand-alone visit (no previous knowledge required, all welcome) or as a final lesson for the three-week online VB776 Private Portraits course.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - The global economy unpacked: the forming of the economies of the Global SouthCourse start date: Wed 21 May 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Ingrid Aguiar SchlindweinExplore how historical, political, and economic factors have shaped Global South economies. Analyze trade, governance, urbanization, poverty, sustainability, and challenges, fostering a holistic understanding of their development within the global landscape.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £69.00 Concession £45.00 - Drawing 1Course start date: Wed 5 Nov 2025 (and 10 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Andrea VoiseyAn introduction to drawing from observation through a carefully structured approach in a studio environment. Suitable for beginners.Full fee £449.00 Senior fee £359.00 Concession £292.00 - Manage your files on Apple MacCourse start date: Wed 24 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael HardingThis course will equip you with the skills to become fully confident on how to save, manage, organize and search for files on your Apple Mac. This course is intended for beginners to experienced users who need to set up and tidy their Apple Mac folders and files.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Understanding Ethics in AICourse start date: Wed 17 Sep 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Hybrid (choose either online or in-person)
Tutors: Vina TheodorakopoulouThis is a short introduction to Ethics in AI for non-technical beginners who aspire to drive responsible AI design and use. This course will enable you to strike a balance between the potential benefits and risks of AI technology.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Introduction to PythonCourse start date: Wed 25 Jun 2025 (and 9 other dates)
Location on this date: Hybrid (choose either online or in-person)
Tutors: Muhammad KhanWant to learn more about how computers work and what computer programmers do? Get started using Python, the most popular and easy-to-use programming language in the world.Full fee £249.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £162.00 - Build a website with WordPressCourse start date: Wed 25 Jun 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
WordPress is the world's most popular content management system, and it's free! On this intensive, one-day course you'll learn how to use it to build your own website.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - Photography for beginnersCourse start date: Wed 8 Oct 2025 (and 17 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Sara Leigh LewisAlways wondered what half the buttons on your camera actually do? Discover how to use them properly and produce impressive photographs, even as a complete beginner. Gain useful technical knowledge and get expert creative guidance in easy-to-understand language. An ideal first step before enrolling on our intermediate courses.Full fee £389.00 Senior fee £311.00 Concession £253.00 - Essential digital skills for work (Level 1)Course start date: Wed 8 Oct 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you have some digital skills but lack confidence to use them? Would you like to gain the most essential digital skills needed for today's workplace? If so, and you need to develop the foundational digital skills for today's job market, this is the course for you. The course will give you the confidence to use different digital devices and tools to collaborate and communicate efficiently with work colleagues, to create and edit documents and presentations, and make simple spreadsheets. You will learn about different types of digital communication as well as how to use online resources for finding and using information and completing transactions. You will learn the transferable digital skills you need to progress, participate and express yourself in the workplace and gain a qualification. 53% of UK employees do not have the digital skills needed for work. You don't need to be one of them.
Please note: you MUST pass the first part of the course, attend every class and do the necessary homework. If you do not, you will not be able to continue the course.
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 for learners who have digital skills assessed as below level 1. For more information Click here
Full fee £309.00 - Gateway to maths GCSECourse start date: Wed 27 May 2026 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you want to gain a Maths GCSE but are not ready yet to achieve this in a single year? Do you need to test your abilities before attempting the qualification course? Then this Preparing for Maths GCSE is the course for you. It will prepare you for the accreditation and familiarise you with its content, level and expectation. You will need to complete and pass an initial assessment before starting this course to demonstrate at least a Level 1 Functional Skills level of Maths.
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 £209.00 - Using Apple Mac OS: a detailed introductionCourse start date: Wed 28 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Michael HardingDiscover how an Apple Mac computer works, the common functions and their applications. For Apple Mac users with little or no previous experience.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00 - Silver Swans ballet class improversCourse start date: Wed 28 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate ScottThis improvers course will focus on expanding existing knowledge of ballet technique and vocabulary and is designed to enable you to learn and execute more varied and complex movement sequences. There is an emphasis on delivering ballet technique to facilitate healthy joints, flexibility, movement quality and core strength.
Silver Swans® classes have been specifically designed for the over-55s and the improvers course is suitable for older leaners with at least 1 year of foundation ballet or Silver Swans experience.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £76.00 - Rush basketryCourse start date: Wed 28 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: John PageUsing traditional techniques you will make a variety of baskets with this native plant. There will be the opportunity to try experimental work with rush and other materials. All levels are welcome.Full fee £379.00 Senior fee £303.00 Concession £246.00 - Silver Swans ballet classCourse start date: Wed 28 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Kate ScottOur Silver Swans® classes have been specifically designed for the over-55s. If you are looking for a new way to keep fit and active, Swans ballet classes will put a spring in your step, whether you’ve never danced before or want to reboot your ballet skills. Classes focus on building the core technical principles and learning specially adapted repertoire from the popular ballets.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £76.00 - 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
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