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 or town for your search in the boxes below.

We have defaulted the search to ten miles, but you can change this number in the box as you wish.

Got it!

Sort by start date

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

Got it!

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: Local History

This course will be delivered through a combination of lectures, discussions, field trips, research projects, and presentations. Participants will have access to historical sources, archives, and local heritage sites for research and exploration. Assignments will include research papers, oral history interviews, presentations, and reflective essays. Participants will explore key events, themes, and movements that have shaped the local community and gain insight into the cultural, social, and economic development of the local area over time.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/05/2024 -
Tue 16/07/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Donnison School (Sunderland)
The Donnison School Buildings
Church Walk
Sunderland
SR1 2BJ
Tutor:
Sharon Vincent
Course code:
Q00014650
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £92.40

History: Intermediate- The Viking Age

The Vikings were the terror of western Europe in the 9th Century and remain one of the most striking and enduring topics in history. We will examine how Anglo-Saxon England almost collapsed under the weight of the Viking threat; making a detailed exploration of the life and times of Anglo-Saxon England and the other realms of the British Isles as the former Mercian hegemony was lost and as they faced the onslaught of the Vikings. In particular, we will consider what may have motivated the Norsemen, how they achieved their success, and how the Saxon kingdoms responded to the crisis.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 10/05/2024 -
Fri 19/07/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Gary Slator
Course code:
Q00014240
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

Archaeology: Extraordinary Excavations

Find out about some of the most famous archaeological excavations from around the world in this day course, we will discuss what made these sites so important and consider some of the methods used by the archaeologists working on the site. We will also draw evidence from some excavations that may be not so famous for a variety of reasons but contribute a wealth of evidence to support our understanding of the past. In addition to that, this course will highlight some of the techniques used following the excavation, when examining the artefacts recovered. It will also ensure that you are aware of where it is possible to find further resources linked to what has been studied.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 11/05/2024 -
Sat 11/05/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jo Shoebridge
Course code:
Q00014732
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £18.50

Care 2: Visit Harewood House, Yorkshire

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Come along and find out about Harewood House all from the comfort of your own home! On this course, we will take a look at Harewood House and explore its rich history.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 13/05/2024
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Alison Warren
Course code:
Q00014604
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available

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!

Add to basket

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
WEA Membership

History: Berlin 1814-1914

An exploration of the history of Berlin in the 19th century from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the First World War. We will also look at how Berlin grew in importance over preceding centuries. The course will cover major changes in the layout of the city and the growth of the railways which allowed industrial expansion, and how the city was "modernised" in other ways, with many new building projects, leading it to be compared to an American city at the end of the century.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 03/06/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Price
Course code:
Q00012921
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

History: Vienna 1814-1914

The history of Vienna in the 19th century, from the time of the Congress of Vienna, which decided the layout of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars, through the revolutionary period of the late 1840s, when it seemed the old order would be swept away, and on to a period of retrenchment, when the monarchy re-established control, albeit increasingly out of step with modern developments, some of which were profound.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 03/06/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Kegworth Village Hall (Kegworth)
Nottingham Road
Kegworth
DE74 2FH
Tutor:
David Price
Course code:
Q00014426
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

History: Summer talk “On the Beat in Kings Cross “

Camden Tour Guide Chris Foster has a love of the Kings Cross area with its rich tapestry and memorable characters. He will present a unique virtual guided walk through the Dickensian back streets and alleyways south of Euston Road where he was a ‘Bobby on the Beat’ fifty years ago. This illustrated talk will entertain and inform you with a mix of fascinating historical facts and amusing personal stories and memories. He will celebrate life back in the day and compare then and now. All are welcome to join this fascinating course!
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/05/2024 -
Mon 13/05/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
URC Lounge, Brookmans Park
Oaklands Avenue
Brookmans Park
AL9 7UW
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00015166
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £6.00

History: Whatever did we used to do for fun? Popular entertainment in the 16th and 17th century

This short course will introduce students to past concepts and perceptions of fun. What did people eat and drink for pleasure, what sports and games were played when people had spare time, and how was both the playing and listening of music enjoyed in sixteenth and seventeen century England? Through examining some primary sources, such as recipe books, maybe even playing a game or two, and reading and listening to ballads, by the end of the two weeks, students will have gained insight into aspects of past concepts of fun and note both the similarities and differences to how ‘fun’ is thought of today.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/05/2024 -
Tue 21/05/2024
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Peterhouse Community Centre
122 Forest Rise
Walthamstow
London
E17 3PW
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00015365
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
9 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £20.00

History: Amazons across the ages

This course looks at women warriors and military commanders in history, from the original Amazons to the present day. It’s often been an emotive subject, one way or the other, with the facts obscured by the prejudices of the writers, and what they wanted to be true. We will try to find the facts behind all this, while also examining how the concept was used in propaganda and mythology. Specific periods to examine will include the original Amazons (Skythian horse nomads), the Vikings, the medieval period, the American Civil War, and WW2. Apart from serious literature and archaeology, we will also look at what can be learnt from historical re-enactment (and how it can be misleading!), and how the whole concept has been used in fantasy and historical fiction, and in gaming.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 15/05/2024
Times:
11:00am - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
The Forum (Norwich)
Millennium Plain
Norwich
NR2 1TF
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00015244
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £16.80

History: Britain In Ireland - From The Act Of Union To The Irish Free State

This six week online course will look at the history of the Ireland as it gradually established itself as an independent nation state. Beginning with the Act of Union, which brought the country into the United Kingdom for the first time, we’ll examine the history through the tragedy of the Famine and resultant growth in republicanism, the attempts to introduce Home Rule to give Ireland autonomy within the Union, and then outbreak of violence with the Easter Rising, the War of Independence and the Civil War, whose repercussions are still being felt today.
View details

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/05/2024 -
Wed 19/06/2024
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Price
Course code:
Q00014382
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40