Learning about the world around us

Here at the WEA we offer a huge range of humanities and science courses, with something for everyone.  

Skip to courses

If you’re interested in the natural world, our geography and environment courses are the perfect choice. Our packed curriculum explores some of the biggest issues facing society, such as climate change and the fight against the destruction of some of Earth’s most precious resources. The option to learn in person or online means that our geography courses can whisk you away to a far-flung corner of the globe, all without you ever having to leave your own home. 

Studying a science

If you choose to take one of our psychology courses you’ll be immersed in the study of the human mind. With options to learn about memory and identity, you’ll get the chance to explore and debate some of the most famous psychological experiments.  

There’s also Sociology too, a subject that focuses on human behaviour, interaction, and relationships. If you’d like to explore some of the biggest questions in life, then our philosophy courses are for you. Small class sizes mean that you’ll get to discuss and debate in a supportive environment, all with an experienced tutor on hand.  

Attend a Humanities and Science course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home or opted for face-to-face learning at a local community venue, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their subject. Our learning experience sets us apart from other providers, with learners regularly highlighting the difference that an encouraging environment makes. 

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please click on the Search options and enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Refine search

How you'll learn

Your location

Please enter your postcode

In order for us to give you accurate results for your courses, please enter your postcode and the mile radius for your search.

Sort by start date

Choose to sort the course start date in ascending order (furthest away dates first) or descending (most recent dates first)

Results per page

Days

Other Filters

Part of day
Level of study
Availability
Search for the branch name/location, without adding branch e.g. Barnet

Personal Development: Map Reading - Developing Further Skills

Want to take your walking and map reading skills to the next level? Feel more confident on longer walks or when relying on maps in more detail with this practical and fun course.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 21/11/2023 -
Tue 05/12/2023
Times:
2:15pm - 4:15pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Tutor:
Alastair Clark
Course code:
Q00010403
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £22.20

History: Why Do We Say That?

Join this engaging course that delves into the captivating history and evolution of idioms, expressions, and accents in (British) English. Explore both newer and older accents while uncovering the origins of everyday idioms and literary expressions. The course will also look at slang and secret languages that have evolved over time. This is course is open to beginners and those with prior knowledge of the subject. Taking place online, over the course of six weeks, with access to presentations and discussions even after each session.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 29/11/2023 -
Wed 17/01/2024
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Tutor:
Janet Wilson
Course code:
Q00009336
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
In progress
Fee range
Free to £40.80

Care 2 Make a Nice Cup of Tea – The History of Tea and Tea Drinking

A course for carers, former carers and the cared for. Join me to find out about history of tea and tea drinking, we'll find out where we got our love of tea and the traditions that surround it. Tea has helped to shape our social traditions , support the rise of the British Empire and contributed to the mighty momentum of the industrial revolution

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 04/12/2023 -
Mon 04/12/2023
Times:
2:00pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00012159
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Philosophy: Marx, Hayek and Polanyi... Or What's Right and Wrong About Capitalism?

This course introduces you to three seminal thinkers about Political Economic thought. It will take a general and easy-to-understand scientific approach across three sessions to help you gain a greater understanding of economics and philosophical thought. You will also be able to engage in discussion about how the works of Karl Marx, Friedrich Hayek and Karl Polanyi from the late 19th and mid-20th centuries deal with ideas tha are still relevant in today's world.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 05/12/2023 -
Tue 19/12/2023
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (Berkhamsted)
289 High Street
Berkhamsted
HP4 1AJ
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00011488
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
£28.50

WEA Membership

For just £15 a year, you can:

  • Join our popular, award-winning weekly lecture series,
  • Access an archive of over 100 past lectures,
  • Get priority online and phone booking for autumn courses (England only),
  • Receive our Highway magazine and access back issues,
  • Attend our members’ annual conference.

Just add us to your basket to sign up today!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: The Vikings in Britain

An illustrated day school covering the three centuries when the Vikings raided and subsequently settled in Anglo-Saxon Britain 

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 07/12/2023 -
Thu 07/12/2023
Times:
10:00am - 3:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
St Lawrence Parish Rooms (Winchester)
Colebrook Street
Winchester
SO23 9LH
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00009220
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £35.00

History: Masks, Mumming and Merriment: Medieval Christmas Plays and Theatre

The twelve days of Christmas was an important holiday for ordinary people in the middle ages, a time full of merriment, feasting and entertainment. Alongside eating, drinking, singing and dancing, watching a play was a popular Christmas pastime and this one-off session will explore what these plays were like. We will focus on three very different plays and will discuss what the plays were about, how and where they were staged, and who would have been watching them. Warning- you may encounter stage devils, references to bare bottoms, and maybe even a very rude song in Latin!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 13/12/2023 -
Wed 13/12/2023
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Kate Jewell
Course code:
Q00012476
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

History: Christmas Food Through the Ages

Have you ever wondered about the history behind the ‘traditional’ Christmas dinner? How did the Turkey get its name? Why does a “mincemeat” pie contain no minced meat? Why do we pull a cracker?  Join us on this interesting online taster, where we will look at Christmas food through the ages, the traditions that lie behind it, and how it has changed, along with a few recipes that you may (or may not) want to try. This short session is an extract from the 10-week "Cookery through the Ages" course which will run in 2024. 

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 19/12/2023 -
Tue 19/12/2023
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00011985
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
0 places remaining
Status:
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: A Natural History of Christmas

Have you ever wondered why we have such affiliations to some plants and animals at Christmas time? Why is the Robin on the Christmas cards we send? Why is the twelve days of Christmas song full of lots of birds? Join us on this charming one-off session with tutor Stephen Parker, who will guide you round some of the animals, plants, history and traditions still carried out today in the UK and over parts of the world. A lovely session to get you in the festive mood and give you something to talk about over Christmas dinner!

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 21/12/2023 -
Thu 21/12/2023
Times:
7:00pm - 8:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Stephen Parker
Course code:
Q00012264
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.55

History: Mythology of the Winter Sky

Do you find the Festive season challenging or lonely? Perhaps you need a break from all the noise and build up that surrounds Christmas and you just need to press pause, take a breath and relax. Give yourself some ‘me’ time, take a break for a little while and join WEA tutor Jane Williams, where she will explore the myths behind well-known constellations of the winter sky, such as Orion the Hunter, the Seven Sisters, and the Great Bear and much more.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 21/12/2023 -
Thu 21/12/2023
Times:
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00012522
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 place remaining
Status:
Waiting list (Join waiting list)
Fee:
Free

History: The 12 lunches of Christmas

If you find the Festive season challenging or lonely, or you just need to have a break from all the chaos and the bad TV, join tutor Jane Williams, who will break up Christmas Day with this fun and interesting look at the 12 days of Christmas Carol. She will go through each of the gifts given on each of the Twelve Days, according to the carol, and see how one might celebrate them in food. So join Jane on the 25th of December for this one off online session.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 25/12/2023 -
Mon 25/12/2023
Times:
5:00pm - 6:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00012529
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £5.55