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 >
See what it's like be part a City Lit online creative writing course.
- Italian beginners: module 1
Course start date: Mon 27 Oct 2025 (and 15 other dates)Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Veronica De FeliceWith its rich culture and history and its incredible landscapes and architecture, there are countless reasons to learn Italian. Whether you wish to learn Italian in order to make your visits to Italy more enjoyable, or because you'd like to speak with family and friends in their native language, this course will provide the groundwork for you to begin your journey towards fluency. Our emphasis is on speaking and listening skills so that you can start communicating quickly in Italian. Once you've completed this course you can continue with 'Italian beginners: module 2.'.
With its rich culture and history and its incredible landscapes and architecture, there are countless reasons to learn Italian. Whether you wish to learn Italian in order to make your visits to Italy more enjoyable, or because you'd like to speak with family and friends in their native language, this course will provide the groundwork for you to begin your journey towards fluency. Our emphasis is on speaking and listening skills so that you can begin communicating quickly in Italian. Once you've completed this course you can continue with 'Italian beginners: module 2.'.Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £229.00 Concession £149.00 - Spanish beginners: module 1 Course start date: Mon 19 May 2025 (and 19 other dates)
Location on this date: Blended (learn both online and in-person)
Tutors: Keylor Murillo MoyaLearn to speak Spanish on this lively, communicative course for complete beginners. Taught in Spanish with the emphasis on developing your listening and speaking skills.
Based on Units 1-3 of Nos Vemos Hoy 1 Compacto; publisher: Campus Difusión (please see the relevant section for the ISBN)
Please do not buy the book until after the first class as if you transfer to another level, you may use a different book.Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £219.00 - Spanish beginners intensive: module 1 Course start date: Mon 10 Nov 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Diego IudicissaLearn to speak Spanish on this lively, communicative course for complete beginners. Taught in Spanish with the emphasis on developing your listening and speaking skills.
Based on Units 1-3 of Nos Vemos Hoy 1; publisher: Campus Difusión (please see the relevant section for the ISBN).Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £219.00 Concession £142.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -Entry 3 (Writing) Course start date: Mon 19 May 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Writing unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in writing sentences for emails and letters clearly. You will learn how write formal or informal topics using the right grammar and vocabulary. You will focus on planning and organising writing into paragraphs and writing clear introductions and conclusion.
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 £129.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work -level 1 (Writing) Course start date: Mon 19 May 2025 (and 3 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Writing unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in writing a range of sentences for personal writing, and formal and informal texts. You will focus on using correct grammar (such as subject-verb agreement, correct use of tense) and become aware of the distinct differences between spoken and written English. You will focus on notetaking, planning and organising writing into paragraphs, developing a narrative and ending writing with a summary or conclusion.
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 £129.00 - Ways into poetry: intensive Course start date: Mon 14 Jul 2025 (and 5 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Alice FrecknallAre you just starting to write poetry? This shorter version of our introductory Ways into poetry course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £75.00 - Japanese beginners: short introductionCourse start date: Mon 21 Jul 2025 (and 4 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Hisaka BuntingLearn Japanese with an emphasis on practical use and the development of your listening and speaking skills. You can also learn to read and write Japanese characters. Based on the tutor's own materials.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £79.00 Concession £64.00 - Modern Greek beginners: short introduction Course start date: Mon 14 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Maria ContosGet a short introduction to the Modern Greek language and discover aspects of Greek language culture in these lively online communicative classes. Suitable for complete beginners.
.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - Learn English - discover London, its history, culture and people (level 1-level 2) Course start date: Mon 7 Jul 2025 (and 2 other dates)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you want to improve your English and learn about London, its history, culture and people at the same time? On this course, you will visit places of interest and learn about the history of these places especially about the different people and cultures who have lived there, and about important events which have shaped the city. You will do your own research and so improve your reading and writing skills as well as your speaking and listening. In addition, you will feel more at home in London and able to participate in its rich and diverse life.
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 £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £35.00 - Return to French (elementary) Course start date: Mon 11 Aug 2025 (and 6 other dates)
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Valerie JézéquelCome and join this lively interactive course to refresh your elementary French. After attending this course you will be able join a level 2 course in September.Full fee £99.00 Senior fee £99.00 Concession £64.00 - Japanese beginners: intensiveCourse start date: Mon 14 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Kiyomi UntenLearn Japanese with an emphasis on practical use and the development of your listening and speaking skills on this intensive course. You can also learn to read and write Japanese characters.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Arabic beginners: revision courseCourse start date: Mon 14 Jul 2025
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Nora Allali-CarlingConsolidate your elementary knowledge of Arabic in this online lively course.. Suitable if you have studied Arabic for a year or have an equivalent level. Based on the tutor’s own materials.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - English for deaf people: English for work - reading and writing skills (entry 3) - part 1Course start date: Mon 8 Sep 2025
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This course is suitable if you are looking for or already are in employment. The aim of the course is to help you to acquire English skills necessary for communication at work via e-mails, memos, reports etc. This course has no exams.
This course is free for learners who have not achieved a GCSE grade C (4) and higher in English. For more information Click here
Full fee £0.00 - Becoming confident in digital skills: Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook (beginner)Course start date: Mon 12 Jan 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Do you know the basics of emailing and internet use? Are you ready to work with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook? Then this course is for you. You will start learning how to word process, use spreadsheets and create presentations, vital skills in today’s world inside and outside the workplace. You will also learn the most essential aspects of Outlook so you can send and receive emails and organise them. You will develop these skills by working on key tasks such as letter-writing, budgeting, presenting and contacting work colleagues. By the end of the course you will be able to create well-presented short texts such as letters, design simple budgets and tables, produce effective and attractive presentations and email them to friends and work colleagues. Start your journey today!
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 £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £85.00 - ESOL - communication skills for life and work - level 1 (Reading) Course start date: Mon 15 Sep 2025 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Keeley Street
This is the Reading unit of the ESOL course to give you confidence in reading straightforward and some complex texts. You will practice reading different types of text including emails, letters, adverts, posters, books, newspapers, and websites. You will read interesting everyday topics and practice finding information and understanding general meaning of stories, news, descriptions, messages, signs, and notices.
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 £479.00 Senior fee £383.00 Concession £240.00
Can't see a course you want?
Add this category to your waiting list to set up alerts and we will update you when new courses are released online.
Add me to waiting list