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.

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: America in the 20th Century

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the major political, social, and military developments that shaped the United States throughout the 20th century. Students will examine key events, movements, and figures that influenced the nation's trajectory, including the impact of the two World Wars, the Civil Rights Movement, the Cold War, and the rise of the USA as a global superpower. Additionally, the course will consider the evolution of domestic policies, cultural shifts, and economic changes during this period. Through critical analysis, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how these developments have shaped modern America.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 07/01/2025 -
Fri 04/04/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
12 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Paul Levy
Course code:
Q00020030
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £88.80

History: Role of political cartoons in the 20th century

Join us for this course which will review historical events, from long ago up until recent years and link them with how newspaper and magazine cartoons reflected attitudes and controversies of that time. This beginner course will primarily focus on the historical context and political impacts of their cartoons rather than the artistic techniques but through that analysis students will gain a deeper understanding of the role of political cartoons in the 20th century.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 22/01/2025
Times:
11:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
St Lukes Church Hall (Tiptree)
66 Church Road
Tiptree
CO5 0SU
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018064
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

History, Napoleon: Citizen to Emperor

Explore the life and legacy of Napoleon Bonaparte with our History: Napoleon: Citizen to Emperor course. Learn about his rise to power, military campaigns, and impact on European history. Ideal for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning about one of history's most influential figures.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 08/01/2025 -
Wed 19/03/2025
Times:
11:30am - 1:30pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Barking Enterprise Centre CIC (Barking)
50 Cambridge Road
Barking
IG11 8FG
Tutor:
Amy Miller
Course code:
Q00017375
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

Journey along the Silk Road

Embark on a fascinating journey through time and space as we unravel the mysteries and marvels of the Silk Road. This 10-week course offers a comprehensive exploration of one of the most significant trade routes in history, tracing its origins, evolution, and enduring legacy. From the bustling marketplaces of ancient cities to the cross-cultural exchanges that shaped empires, we will delve into the rich tapestry of cultures, economies, and ideas that flourished along this ancient network of trade routes. · This course will offer a rich interdisciplinary exploration of the Silk Road, drawing on historical texts, archaeological evidence, visual media, and discussion to deepen understanding of its pivotal influence in world history.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 20/03/2025
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:
Q00017571
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £100.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

History: The Empire and it's Legacy, both home and abroad

The British Empire played a major role in shaping the modern world and the lives of millions of people both at home and overseas. How did it come about?

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 27/03/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Emsworth Community Centre (Emsworth)
Church Path
Emsworth
PO10 7DP
Tutor:
Jennifer Goldsmith
Course code:
Q00016941
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

History: Fascism and the Troubled 1930s

This online course will examine the origins of Fascism and National Socialism against the backdrop of post war turmoil in Italy and Germany. We will see how the emergence of Stalin as supreme leader in the USSR led to a radicalisation of the economy and political terror. We will consider the effects of the economic crisis in the democratic countries, USA, Britain and France. Finally, we will consider how the radicalisation of economies and politics impacted on international relations culminating in the outbreak of a second European war in 1939. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Thu 09/01/2025 -
Thu 13/02/2025
Times:
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Julian Roberts
Course code:
Q00019800
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £22.20

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
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to £100.00

History: Essex in 10 Objects

Essex museums are full of wonderful and sometimes surprising objects. This course takes a selection of objects looked after in museums all over the county and uses them as sources for learning about everyday life in Essex in the past. Covering a range of themes and times the course will also give you some ideas for places to visit in your own time.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 14/01/2025 -
Tue 11/03/2025
Times:
2:15pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Maldon Friends' Meeting House (Maldon)
Butt Lane
Maldon
CM9 5HD
Tutor:
Claire Parker
Course code:
Q00019281
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £58.80

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