Courses in London & Online

New courses added for 2025/26

The biggest choice of adult education short courses in London and online.

Looking for a course? City Lit has you covered. We have lots of courses, guided walks, expert talks, and events — more than any other college in London.

Whether you’re interested in a one-off talk or taster class, a short course over a few weeks, or a year-long programme. You'll find a course to suit your schedule and goals.

We offer online courses as well as hybrid and blended learning, and in-person courses in London.

 

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Use our subject categories to find the right course for you. Narrow down your selection using the filters to find your course by level, location, start date, duration, and price.

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With our daytime, evening, and weekend courses, there's course that is convenient for you.

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City Lit is a leading provider of adult education in London and all over the UK. It's the perfect place to learn something new, gain new skills, and build your confidence. From mastering new languages and honing creative skills to advancing your career with professional development courses. Whatever your passion or goal, our diverse curriculum has the perfect course to inspire your next step.

Taught by experts and practising professionals

All our courses are led by expert tutors including published authors, academics, practising artists, and experienced professionals; and they look forward to sharing their valuable knowledge and experience with you.


City Lit is a leading provider of adult education in London and all over the UK. It's the perfect place to learn something new, gain new skills, and build your confidence. From mastering new languages and honing creative skills to advancing your career with professional development courses. Whatever your passion or goal, our diverse curriculum has the perfect course to inspire your next step.

 

 

 

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  1. Piano: return to playing
    Course start date:  Fri 17 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Gary Preston
    Did you once play the piano? Are you thinking of returning to playing? This short course, taught in a friendly and supportive environment, will help you refresh your dormant skills and re-kindle your passion for playing.
    Full fee £179.00 Senior fee £143.00 Concession £125.00
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  2. Ruling Russia: Tsars, Revolutions, Civil War , and the Triumph of Lenin (1860-1924)
    Course start date:  Wed 8 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Zoe Quinn
    This course explores the transformative period of Russian history from 1860 to 1924, encompassing the autocratic rule of the Tsars, the revolutionary upheavals of 1905 and 1917, the chaos of the civil war, and the consolidation of the Bolshevik regime. Students will examine key events, figures, and ideologies that shaped modern Russia, delving into the complexities of political, social, and economic changes during this era.



    Please note: this course includes much of the material covered in previous Russian Revolution courses at the City Lit. Moreover this course is taught at an introductory level. Tutor: Zoe Quinn.
    Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £169.00 Concession £110.00
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  3. Afrocentric drumming
    Evening
    Course start date:  Fri 10 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Paul Chivers
    Explore and indulge your enthusiasm for drumming with African rhythms and their variations. Enjoy improving your individual and group playing skills and learn how to apply a variety of percussive instruments to any musical style or setting.
    Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £149.00
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  4. Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £199.00
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  5. Nazi Germany: politics, society, war and genocide
    Evening
    Course start date:  Wed 1 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  Rudolf Muhs
    This course offers a broad survey of Nazi Germany, its leaders and its population, its racial ideology, political ambitions and structures of rule, its opponents and its victims, and its ultimate descent into world war and genocide.
    Full fee £199.00 Senior fee £199.00 Concession £129.00
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  6. The Global Cold War
    Course start date:  Wed 1 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Alexandre Dab
    This 10 week course focuses on the conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union from a global perspective. Going beyond the traditional focus on the superpowers and Europe, we will explore how the Cold War affected every part of the world and created the current international system.
    Full fee £219.00 Senior fee £175.00 Concession £142.00
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  7. German History from Charlemagne to Napoleon (c.800 to 1815)
    Course start date:  Fri 3 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Rudolf Muhs
    The course offers a broad survey of the history of the German lands under the Holy Roman Empire



    (800 to c. 1800).
    Full fee £259.00 Senior fee £207.00 Concession £168.00
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  8. World music: rhythm driven tunes from Brazil, Cuba, Ghana and Senegal
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sun 5 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Sarha Moore
    Come to play tunes from several traditions and two continents, working with complex rhythms in related and contrasting ways. There is a musical narrative that begins in Africa, travels to the Caribbean and South America, then back to Africa, carrying musical styles and rhythmic patterns. We will explore samples of this rhythmic timeline.







    Piano places are limited to two so please check with the department prior to enrolling if you want to play piano on this course.
    Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £104.00
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  9. The City of London: the Square Mile
    Course start date:  Wed 8 Oct 2025 (and 1 other date)

    Location on this date:  Off Site

    Tutors:  Hazel Baker
    Explore the City’s development from Roman and medieval times through to the Tudors and Stuarts. This course will consist of 8 guided walks starting with Roman London.
    Full fee £229.00 Senior fee £183.00 Concession £149.00
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  10. The life and times of King James I
    Course start date:  Fri 10 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Online

    Tutors:  William Sterling
    James had been a king of Scotland for nearly his entire life before he made history in 1603, inheriting the throne of England and the possibility of a united Britain. However, he now faced the challenge of bringing two distinct kingdoms together under one crown. How did he navigate the rivalries, ambitions, and expectations of his new realm? Join us as we explore the life and reign of James VI & I, first monarch of both the kingdoms of Scotland and England.
    Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00
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  11. Musicianship for singers 1
    Course start date:  Fri 10 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Ruth Beckmann
    Improve your understanding of theory and musicianship in relation to the singing. This course is for any singer who would like more understanding of the music they sing. Break week 31st October 2025.
    Full fee £159.00 Senior fee £127.00 Concession £111.00
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  12. Fatimid Egypt, 909-1171 with BM visit
    Course start date:  Fri 10 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Roberta Marin

    Join us for this introductory course to discover the history of the Fatimids, from the establishment of the empire in Tunisia to the foundation of Cairo, their new capital. Includes an afternoon visit to the British Museum. 

    Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00
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  13. King John: the worst king in English history?
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sat 11 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Vanessa King
    King John is remembered as a murderer, treacherous, and a loser; ‘a bad king’. On the plus side, he was probably the cleanest medieval king around, carrying a tin bath wherever he went travelling!
    Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00
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  14. Transcribe jazz solos
    Weekend
    Course start date:  Sun 12 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Tim Richards
    A study and sharing group for experienced jazz players with a good working knowledge of harmony and experience of improvising. We will focus on in-depth listening and transcription of recorded examples by jazz musicians. Sessions will include demonstration and performance opportunities. The class meets at college once a month. Course dates: 12 October, 9 November, 7 December, 18 January, 15 February, 15 March.
    Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £269.00 Concession £188.00
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  15. History, memory and mental wealth: why we need to talk about empire
    Course start date:  Fri 17 Oct 2025

    Location on this date:  Keeley Street

    Tutors:  Martin Jorgensen
    Formally, European imperialism ended decades ago. Yet, the different legacies still affect the world and many societies today. Join us for a discussion on why we need to talk about empire and mental wealth.
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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