Love to learn with the WEA

Our languages and culture courses span the length and breadth of England and Scotland, with the option to study online or in person at a time that suits you. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country, or you simply wish to indulge in your love and fascination of film, we have the course for you. 

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Our creative writing courses will nourish your inner writer, providing you with a platform to develop your love of poetry, non-fiction or script development. If literature courses are more your kind of thing, then you’re in luck too, as there are a wide range of topics to choose from.  

Literary greats and great periods in history

Our language courses offer you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, developing your skills so that you can speak confidently in countries right across the world. German, Italian and Greek are just a few examples of the language courses we have to offer, with many others taking place throughout the year.  

As you’d expect, literary greats such as Agatha Christie and Shakespeare feature regularly. There’s also the option to examine other time periods in English literature too, helping you develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the subject.  

If you prefer history then you’ve got a choice too, from courses on subjects you’d expect such as the first world war, or art history and studying the works of iconic painters such as Salvador Dali. 

Support and guidance

Whatever course you choose, you'll learn in a supportive environment where the class sizes are small, ensuring you get the attention you deserve, with an experienced and qualified tutor on-hand to guide you through your learning too.  

A lot of our cultural learning is delivered by our branch network: learn more here.

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Art Along the South Bank - Walking Tour

Art Along the South Bank Walking Tour stops at the public sculptures along the South Bank which arrived on the riverside since the Festival of Britain in 1951. As well as the sculptures mounted on plinths in alcoves commissioned to adorn the exterior of the London County Hall, now a major tourist attraction. Discover one of London’s hidden gems, a totally un-curated sculpture park stretching from Westminster Bridge to the Royal Festival Hall. The meeting point is The South Bank Lion on Westminster Bridge Rd, and the walking tour will end on the Riverside Terrace at the Royal Festival Hall.

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 20/07/2025 -
Sun 20/07/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Meeting Point: Copper Box Arena
Waterden Road
London
London
E20 3BS
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00019136
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £12.60

Summer Writers Online Retreat

Promised yourself writing time this summer? Get it in early with this stimulating writing retreat! Over 5 consecutive days, you’ll set an achievable goal, immerse yourself in 45 minutes of writing and get feedback from the tutor and peers when you share. Imagine the amount of work and momentum you’ll build over 5 days.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 28/07/2025 -
Fri 01/08/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00021165
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £46.25

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15



The courses below have already started, but are still available to book.

Literature: Five Korean Short Stories

This course will examine five Korean short stories and function as a taster-course to Korean literature in general, which has recently come to the fore with the award of the Nobel Prize to Han Kang. It will serve to broaden your appreciation of until recently a minority literature. We will analyse those elements which have contributed to Korea’s distinctive contribution to world literature in the last 100 years, and discuss the relationship between a politically troubled history and creativity, discovering as we do a range of male and female voices. There will be ample opportunities for discussion in what will be lively sessions.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 29/04/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021488
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

Creative Writing: Writing Your First Novel: Next Level

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘Everyone has a novel in them?’ This is your chance to get yours down on the page! Even if you don’t have an idea in mind at the moment, you can begin to develop your writing and experiment with different stories and genres until you find something you want to write.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 01/05/2025 -
Thu 03/07/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00009232
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Art Appreciation: The Invention of Photography and it's Impact on Early Modern Painting

In this thought-provoking session, we will look at the links that can be drawn between the invention of photography around 1839 and the emergence of modern painting that a decade later. We will consider how painters used photographs, and how they felt challenged by this new type of images. You will learn about the invention of photography, around the inventions of Niepce, Daguerre and Talbot. We will examine early photographs by Nadar, Le Gray and many unknown photographers. Many paintings will also be studied, by artists such as Delacroix, Degas, Monet, Renoir, and Caillebotte.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 09/05/2025 -
Fri 09/05/2025
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021436
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
3 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £11.10