Learning about the world around us

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

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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. 

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Art and About: Walking Radical London – The Strand & Fleet Street

This gentle walk down the Strand to Fleet Street from Charing Cross Station will concentrate on the sites the area’s radical past. From the meeting places of the London Corresponding Society, to the Chartists & their Six Point Charter, Sylvia Pankhurst’s Communist Party of Great Britain’s headquarters, radical booksellers and publishers – all will be pointed out. We will take regular pauses to look at some of the evidence for what was once a hotbed of radical and revolutionary politicking. We will discuss the contribution and achievement of these movements and individuals and ask what their legacy is. Meet at the Eleanor Cross, Charing Cross Station, London.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 20/06/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Place:Charing Cross Railway Stat
Charing Cross Station
Strand
London
WC2N 5HS
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00019142
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Textiles and Fashion: Upcycling Fabric, Learn how to make fabric twine and shabby chic tassels

Would you like to learn quick and easy projects that are great for upcycling scraps of fabric and old clothing? This single session course is for you. Aimed at any learners no matter what your level of experience you will be able to take part in the session and learn how to make fabric twine and a shabby chic fabric tassel, you will also learn about the importance of upcycling and why keeping fabric out of landfill is important to the environment and saves money!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 02/07/2025 -
Wed 02/07/2025
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Trudi Price
Course code:
Q00021879
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

History: 3 Remarkable Norfolk Women

This day school offers a unique exploration of local history by examining the lives and contributions of 3 remarkable women who left indelible marks on society, culture, and politics. From ancient warriors to a mystic and an influential writer, each woman represents a distinct era in British history, shedding light on the struggles, achievements, and societal changes of their times. Throughout the day, we will delve into the lives of these extraordinary women, analysing their impact on local and British society and their enduring legacies. By studying their stories, learners will gain a deeper understanding of key historical events, social movements, and cultural shifts that have shaped the fabric of Britain.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 05/07/2025 -
Sat 05/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 4:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Friends Meeting House (King's Lynn)
38 Bridge Street
King's Lynn
PE30 5AB
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00021985
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

History: 'You've Never Had It So Good'- Britain in the 1950's

Harold Macmillan famously claimed in 1957 that the majority of British people had ‘never had it so good’ What did he mean by this and was this true? This thought provoking course will examine through contemporary evidence, films and through discussion the evidence for this. We will focus on the social, political and economic factors which applied in the lead up to the period and also the challenges which Macmillan himself identified. Lastly we will transition to the present day, and consider whether we are better off today, and if not why not?

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 16/07/2025 -
Wed 16/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00022517
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: Introduction to Permaculture Design

In this hands on practical course , learners will be introduced to the key themes of permaculture design ; develop an understanding of ethics and principles of permaculture design ; observe natural systems and take action to enhance them and understand the importance of ecological systems in food production, including soil and plant life.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 26/07/2025 -
Sun 27/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Community Roots (Porthtowan)
Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Chapel Hill
Porthtowan
TR4 8HL
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00022118
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

History: Post War Britain: The Thatcher Years

This course continues our look at post war Britain. It also stands alone as a separate offer and new students are most welcome. As before we will take a thematic rather than strictly narrative approach to the period. We will examine four key areas: politics during these years; Britain’s place in the world; the economy; and social change. Students will be encouraged to share their own memories of the period through discussions and questions. Margaret Thatcher was a conviction politician and accepted that many of her policies were divisive. As we look at her time as Prime Minister, we will adopt a non-partisan approach. As with any long serving Premier she had both successes and failures. We will approach both with an open mind.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 09/01/2026 -
Fri 13/02/2026
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Bourne Hall (Epsom)
Spring Street
Ewell
Epsom
KT17 1UF
Tutor:
Julian Roberts
Course code:
Q00022873
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

History: Empire of Many Nations: The Habsburg Monarchy from 1848 to 1919

This ten-week course explores the final decades of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, from the revolutions of 1848 to its dissolution at the end of World War I. It examines how the Habsburg monarchy navigated nationalism, liberalism, industrialization, and imperial reform in a multi-ethnic empire under constant pressure. Key topics include the 1867 Ausgleich, the empire’s complex governance, cultural life in Vienna, rising nationalist movements, and the road to Sarajevo and war. Through political analysis, primary sources, and cultural history, students will gain a deeper understanding of how this vast and diverse empire both shaped and was undone by the forces of modernity.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 12/01/2026 -
Mon 23/03/2026
Times:
10:15am - 12:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Christ Church United Reformed Church (Or
Willett Way
Petts Wood
Orpington
BR5 1LH
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00022396
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: The Wars of the Roses: The Fall of the House of York, 1460–1485

This ten-week course delves into the final phase of the Wars of the Roses, charting the turbulent decline of the House of York from its height under Edward IV to its destruction at Bosworth in 1485. Through detailed case studies of battles, political intrigues, and key personalities—including Warwick the Kingmaker, Richard III, and Henry Tudor—we examine how factionalism, betrayal, and ambition shaped England’s destiny. Each session explores a pivotal moment, revealing the fragility of monarchy and the emergence of Tudor power. Primary sources, historiography, and modern interpretations illuminate this dramatic period of dynastic conflict and national transformation

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/01/2026 -
Tue 24/03/2026
Times:
2:15pm - 4:15pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
The Drive Methodist Church (Redbridge)
Eastern Avenue
Redbridge
IG4 5AB
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00022300
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

Art Appreciation: The Ottoman Empire in Crisis: Reform, Resistance, and Transformation (1846-1896)

This five-week course examines the period of intense transformation within the Ottoman Empire from 1846 to 1896, a time marked by reform efforts, external challenges, and internal dissent. Focused on the era of Sultan Abdulmecid I and Sultan Abdulhamid II, the course covers key events like the Tanzimat reforms' continuation, the rise of constitutionalism, and the tensions leading to the Empire’s gradual decline. We will also explore the impact of nationalism, imperialism, and the Empire’s shifting relationship with European powers. Through these lenses, the course provides insights into the complex forces that shaped the late Ottoman state.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 13/01/2026 -
Tue 10/02/2026
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00022408
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

History: Empire Incorporated: The Rise and Rule of the East India Company 1600-1874

This course explores how a private trading corporation became one of the most powerful imperial forces in history. Over ten lectures, students will trace the Company’s evolution from a 17th-century merchant venture to the de facto ruler of India, examining its economic strategies, military conquests, political scandals, and cultural impact. The course also considers resistance within India, reform efforts in Britain, and the Company’s enduring legacy. Combining global history, political economy, and postcolonial analysis, this course offers a critical understanding of corporate empire-building and its lasting consequences.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 14/01/2026 -
Wed 25/03/2026
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00022496
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00