Delve into history

Explore the events of the past, and how they’ve shaped the world we live in today. Immerse yourself in different eras, marvel at historic achievements, and examine how different things could have been.  

Skip to courses

All of our courses are designed to help develop your skills in historical research and analysis, encouraging you to look beyond the surface of key historical moments. From the history of King Arthur to World War I and II, you’ll develop a better understanding of key historic customs, beliefs, and ways of life.   

Whether you consider yourself a history buff with decades of experience, or someone just starting out that wants to learn more, you can choose from a wide selection of topics.   

Attend a WEA history course near you  

A variety of our history courses are taught in-person or are delivered online - it all depends on what suits your needs best. From the comfort of your own home to a space in your local community. Whichever option you choose, you’ll be taught by a talented tutor who is vastly experienced.   

The support you’ll receive on our history courses  

They'll help you develop an understanding that goes beyond just what's on the surface, all within a friendly and encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

It’s our learning experience that sets us apart too, with many of those attending our courses going on to achieve incredible things. You’ll learn at a pace that’s comfortable for you too, with a friendly supportive tutor on hand to answer any questions you might have. 

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

History: The Cold War

How did the world emerge from the second world war and within two years find itself in a ‘Cold War’ a new kind of conflict fought mostly through politics and propaganda rather than through military combat? The Soviet Union, the UK and the USA were allies during the second world war, and its leaders met at several summit meetings to discuss the arrangements for the post war world. How did this relationship break down in the years that followed? What were the major events which precipitate this change, and how were they viewed by politicians and the public? Join the class to find out how it started, investigate some of the major flashpoints and events and how it ended.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/01/2024 -
Thu 21/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00012105
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Archaeology: Highlights of Pre-History

This course is an introduction to British prehistory and, in particular will discuss the advances in knowledge of British prehistory across the last fifty years. An important case study will be the excavation of the late Bronze Age crannog at Must Farm, Cambridgeshire. Other topics will include the cultural evidence from Northern Europe, Neolithic houses in Britain, the Emergence of the Elites, the origins of Bronze Age field systems in Eastern fenland, and the importance of the Scilly Isles. Do join this fascinating course to make new discoveries about this little know period of British history.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/01/2024 -
Thu 21/03/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Simon Tomson
Course code:
Q00012282
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

History: Intermediate- The Later Plantagenet Dynasty

This online course is a progression from the autumn course "Edward III and The Plantagenet Dynasty". However, new learners are warmly welcomed. The emergence of the House of Lancaster could have led to a major decline of the English realm, yet it achieved its greatest success against the old enemy of France. This fascinating course will visit and analyse the course of those events. We will explore how the succession after Edward III struggled to maintain its legitimacy and how it affected English society at large, as well as the wider, longer term consequences for the ongoing struggle against France.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/01/2024 -
Thu 28/03/2024
Times:
7:15pm - 9:15pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00012849
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

History: From Kings to Citizens - The History and Culture of the French Revolution 1789-1799

Explore one of the most tumultuous political decades in French history through the radical changes to society and culture. As the political changes swept away the ancient regime we will look at those who stepped in to that vacuum, such as Robespierre and Barras. We will look at the attempts to create a new world that drew thinkers from outside of France, like Mary Wollstonecraft. We will see how the Revolution was visualised and exported, adopted and adapted abroad.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/01/2024 -
Thu 21/03/2024
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Richmond Reference Library (Richmond)
The Old Town Hall - Richmond
Whittaker Avenue
Richmond
TW9 1TP
Tutor:
Amy Miller
Course code:
Q00012242
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

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: Italian Trecento Painting (Giotto and Duccio)

Join us for a close look at the work of Giotto, Duccio and other painters, who worked at the vanguard of developments in Italian painting over the course of the fourteenth century, helping make possible the emergence of the 'Renaissance' style that followed later. The course will focus on the cultural centres of Florence and Siena in particular, to explore some of the ways in which the painted image was put to new uses, and found itself in new and complex dialogue with the early modern culture in which it was made and viewed. This course is for all learners: no prior knowledge or experience assumed.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 11/01/2024 -
Thu 21/03/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Guppy's Enterprise Club (York)
17 Nunnery Lane
York
YO23 1AB
Tutor:
Peter Finch-Sieg
Course code:
Q00012893
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £94.50

History: Classical Mythology and its Symbolism

Are you fascinated by myths and mythology? Then this is the course for you! On this 10-week, online course you will read from, explore and enjoy selections from an array of the great texts that belong to the body of work and traditions of the Classical world. You will discuss the fascination that mythology continues to have over the modern mind, thinking about how and why these works and stories still resonate and have related to us for so long, as well as setting them against their own time and seeking to understand their original purpose. In doing so we will evaluate genre, style and form, as well as considering authorship and the culture through appraising the backgrounds and situations of each text and particular writers whilst also looking into modern art and culture that draws on these myths for influence; all texts will be read in English translation and it is hoped that you will take the analytic skills you gain on this course back into your community or your workplace. No experience is necessary, just bring your enthusiasm!

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 12/01/2024 -
Fri 22/03/2024
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00012608
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

History: Hever Castle - An English Home 1270-1903

Hever Castle - an English Home

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 13/01/2024 -
Sat 13/01/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
St John's United Reform Church Orpington
Lynwood Grove
Orpington
BR6 0BG
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00009366
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £10.00

History: Grimsby - Before the Bulldozer

Our interest in the past probably escalates the older we get. For many Grimbarians the day the Bull Ring and the Market Place were demolished, was for them, a criminal act in the town’s history. Many look back on the time before the destruction with fond memories. In this Saturday course we will explore the town before and after demolition with a look at some of the buildings and businesses lost, why it happened and the effect it had on the town landscape.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 13/01/2024 -
Sat 13/01/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Minster (Grimsby)
St James Square
Grimsby
DN31 1EP
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00009389
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.00

Care 2 Visit Paycocke House, Coggeshall

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for, please join us to take a virtual visit to Paycocke House and find out about the people who have made it what we see today.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/01/2024 -
Mon 15/01/2024
Times:
1:30pm - 3:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Book Nook
19 West Street
Tollesbury
CM9 8RJ
Tutor:
Claire Parker
Course code:
Q00012735
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

History: Understanding The Holocaust

The Holocaust is one of the defining events of the twentieth century. So why did it happen? Was the Holocaust something which Hitler had planned or was it an improvised phenomenon made possible by a ferocious, conventional armed conflict? Join the class as we discuss in great detail the reasons as to why this harrowing event ever took place. How much did the Germans really know or understand about the fate of the Jews? Come along and join the class to find out more.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 15/01/2024 -
Tue 16/01/2024
Times:
5:30pm - 7:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Tutor:
Julian Roberts
Course code:
Q00010580
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £14.80