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.  

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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. 

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History: China 1912 to 1992 – Empire to Republic

This second of two courses on modern Chinese history concentrates on the history of China from 1912 to 1992 a time marked by profound transformations, including the fall of the imperial system, the rise of the First Republic, the Warlord Era, the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, and major upheavals of war, rebellion, revolution and geopolitical alignment. We trace the political social, cultural and economic development of China in the 20th Century. We consider the events, ideas and personalities that shaped this extraordinary national story. Throughout, we draw parallels with our own time and how we got here.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 24/03/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Petts Wood Memorial Hall (Petts Wood)
200 Petts Wood Road
Petts Wood
BR5 1LA
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00017563
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

History: The reigns of King Richard & King John.

Richard the Lionheart and John. Two brothers, the sons of a powerful King. Siblings, rivals, enemies. The course focuses on two contrasting Kings of England. One is considered the greatest of all monarchs, and the other the worst King ever to sit on the throne.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 13/01/2025 -
Mon 17/02/2025
Times:
9:30am - 11:30am
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Michael Long
Course code:
Q00020102
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

History: What really led to The Second World War?

Churchill said: ‘It could have been prevented without a single shot being fired, but no one would listen.’ His counterpart, Neville Chamberlain, wrote: I know I can save the country and I do not believe anyone else can.’  Some in France, meanwhile, initially failed to take Hitler seriously. Unlike Poland, both France and Chamberlain have been blamed for failing to stand up to Hitler. But is this fair, given the memories of the First Word War? Beginning with the Polish port of Gdańsk (Danzig) and the ‘Polish Corridor,’ this course explores how Britain, France, Germany and Italy became involved in one of the world’s most formative events whose legacy continues to be felt today.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 04/03/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Nottingham Mechanics (Nottingham)
3 North Sherwood Street
Nottingham
NG1 4EZ
Tutor:
Mark Barnard
Course code:
Q00020098
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £67.20

History: Anglo-Saxon Culture 500-1100CE

A short (5 sessions) introduction to the range and complexity of Anglo-Saxon culture based upon selected survivals in the archaeological record ranging from exquisite, illuminated manuscripts to stunning portable timepieces. Each week we will concentrate on one theme/aspect of the Anglo-Saxon world and consider up to 5 objects from the time and use them to consider the Anglo-Saxons, their society and their legacy to us. There will also be extensive discussion of how difficult questions persist about the interpretation of the period and its survival in the archaeological record. There will be plenty of opportunity for discussion and questions throughout.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/02/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00020130
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £60.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Literature: Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing

Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing Do you love the enchanted world of stories? Remember how hearing stories read aloud made you warm and happy? Yes? Then this is the course for you. A friendly, gentle reading and self-discovery circle. The power of shared reading is good for the soul. Come discover modern fiction and true stories on heart-warming themes like friendship, community, hope, love and food. Each week we’ll read and reflect on the story, on our own lives. We’ll share and tell our own tales, from books we read as children, from stories of our own lives.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 18/02/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
The Good Story
45 St Leonards Road
Bexhill
TN40 1JA
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00020132
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.80

History: Silence in Court - Famous trials from British History

Every famous trial is a snapshot of history in the making. We see the cast of characters strutting on the stage that is the court room, acting out their roles against the backdrop of forces that are often beyond their control - the letter of the law, the power of the state, the force of prejudice, the facts of the case. Their focus is the outcome of 'their' trial, but ours is more than that; why is this trial famous, how did it change things, what lessons does it teach us? Join Peter Blood to study the people, issues and outcomes in five famous trials from British history, with a view to understanding their political, social and legal significance.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 12/02/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Billingshurst Community and Conference C
Roman Way
Billingshurst
RH14 9QW
Tutor:
Peter Blood
Course code:
Q00017736
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.00

History: The Ottoman Empire - Fall 1876-1922

The last 50 years of the Ottoman Empire continues to drive current events and politics in Europe and the Middle East. In this course we consider the events, characters and forces that lead to its breakup including the modernisation attempts of the ‘Young Turk’ movement, the Balkan Wars of 1912-13, The Great War (including the Arab Revolt, the Armenian Genocide and the Turkish War of Independence. We finish by considering the rise of the new secular state of Turkey and the legacy of the Ottomans and why a century after its end the Ottoman Empire is still relevant throughout southeastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 26/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00017956
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
5 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

History: How we used to Live (3) – Urban Housing

This course will give you an outline of the history of urban and suburban housing in Britain over the last 200 years. As Britain’s industrial cities expanded, thousands of people wanted somewhere suitable to live. For the expanding middle classes of clerks, bankers and other professionals, this meant a respectable home to buy or rent. We will explore how how the expansion of the railways led to the development of suburbs as workers could travel further to their workplace. We will see how the aspiration of owning one’s own home became achievable with the development of building societies and how Britain became a home-owning society.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 15/01/2025 -
Wed 05/02/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
St Olave's Church Hall (York)
Marygate Lane
York
YO30 7BJ
Tutor:
Katherine Croft
Course code:
Q00018369
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

History: The East India Company in 10 Objects

Dubbed the ‘Corporation that Changed the World’ East India Company (1600-1874) transformed what the British consumed, both at home and in their colonies. At its height the Company held sway over large swathes of Southeast Asia. In this course, we will explore the history of the East India Company with specific focus on India and China. Using the lens of material culture, we will consider the East India Company through a series of objects that highlight politics, trade and cultural consumption.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
11:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Old Town Hall
Whittaker Avenue
Richmond
South West
TW9 1TP
Tutor:
Amy Miller
Course code:
Q00019984
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

History: The Origins of the Second World War

The second world war shaped the world for years to come and still resonates today. How did it come to take place so soon after "the war to end all wars" (the Great War 1914-18) , with a world wide agency (the League of Nations ) commissioned to keep the peace. This course attempts to explain this and more

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 16/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
12:00pm - 2:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
British Legion Hall (Felsted)
Bury Chase
Felsted
CM6 3HA
Tutor:
Roger Cooke
Course code:
Q00020842
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00