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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History: Wish You Were Here- A History of Holidays Through The Ages.

What did it feel like to be a holiday maker in the past? Originally holidays are just Holy Days and a chance to make merry but they didn’t involve you leaving home. Travel for leisure really does not start until the 17th century with trips to a spa or seaside town for health reasons and to enjoy the social life. Later the Grand Tour is available for the wealthy. Change comes with the railways and cheap day trips, and in the 20th century paid holidays, seaside towns and holiday camps. Over the last 50 years overseas holidays, have been within the reach of many but what do current environmental and social concerns mean for the future? Join the class to find out more.
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Dates:
Wed 04/06/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00021497
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

History: What do you know about Spain; its history and what lies away from the tourist beaches?

Spain away from the Costas. A brief history of Spain from prehistoric times to the present day and a look at the various regions that make up Spain Be able to describe an outline of Spain's history Be able to state some of the influences of the New World on Spain Be able to describe some aspects of the geographic and other differences of the Spanish regions Outline some of the food and culture of the regions Describe some aspects of modern-day Spain
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Dates:
Wed 04/06/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Billericay Reading Rooms (Billericay)
73 High Street
Billericay
CM12 9AS
Tutor:
Derek Robinson
Course code:
Q00021276
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £50.40

History: Architectural Pomp, Trauma & Resurgence, Berlin, 1800 to 2000

This course studies how the architecture of the dynamic Berlin that we see today has been shaped by the events of its troubled history and by the ambitions and styles of its leaders. From 1740 to 1945, Berlin saw a series of aggressive war leaders who sought to make Prussia and then Germany the dominant force in the world, eventually styling Berlin as the capital of the world. Utterly destroyed by 1945, Berlin was reborn as two distinct cities, one rebuilt in Western and the other in Communist styling. Since the Wall fell in 1989, the united city has flourished, embracing grand city plans and modern, hi-tech architecture.
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Dates:
Sat 07/06/2025 -
Sat 07/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Reading International Solidarity Centre
35-39 London Street
Reading
RG1 4PS
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00018042
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20

Permaculture Design Certificate

Join us at Community Roots in Porthtowan, Cornwall for this accredited course in Permaculture Design. Delivered by our experienced Permaculture tutor this course will introduce to the key concepts of Permaculture design whilst undertaking practical design tasks with our partner Community Roots who run a community supported agriculture project on the scenic North cliffs in Cornwall. This bespoke course has been created with Community Roots to meet the needs of people who are wanting to introduce permaculture principles either at home , community or commercial setting.
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Dates:
Mon 09/06/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 4:00pm
Duration:
15 sessions
Location:
Community Roots (Porthtowan)
Mount Pleasant Eco Park
Chapel Hill
Porthtowan
TR4 8HL
Tutor:
Jodie Tellam
Course code:
Q00020568
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £300.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

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Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

History: Anglo-Saxon & Norman England 1066-1100

This short course tells the epic story of the Norman Conquest and the end of Anglo-Saxon England in the 11th Century. We will consider the reasons for the Norman invasion and its impact on landscape, government, language and culture amongst other things. We will discuss its lasting legacy and the ways in which it continues to affect our own times. The course will draw on current academic writing as well as contemporary source material including the Bayeux Tapestry, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and Domesday Book among many others. Throughout we will use study of sources and discussion to draw conclusions and ask further questions.
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Dates:
Tue 10/06/2025 -
Tue 08/07/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Enfield Baptist Church (Enfield) (Enfiel
Cecil Road
Enfield
EN2 6TG
Tutor:
Laurie Johnston
Course code:
Q00021550
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

History: Early C20 Literature and War

The First World War, the rise of fascism and the Second World War between them reshaped global history in the early C20. Dr Simon Gregor, as a historian, has spent years studying these dark years of European (and indeed global) history. At the same time, Simon's first degree was in literature, and in this course he will examine how this period of history also reshaped the way in which people thought about, and wrote about, the world.
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Dates:
Tue 10/06/2025 -
Tue 01/07/2025
Times:
3:00pm - 4:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00021667
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £30.00

Nature, Ecology & Permaculture: An introduction to Water and Plastic Pollution in the Environment

We will discuss the main sources of water pollution and the types of water pollution. We will list the major sources of water pollutants; describe the effects on water due to organic materials, plant nutrients and toxic, physical, and biological pollutants; list the main diseases caused by microorganisms that can be carried by water.
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Dates:
Thu 10/07/2025 -
Thu 17/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Neetside Community Centre (Bude)
The Crescent
Bude
EX23 8LB
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00017798
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20


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

History: Spreading like wild fire: news, rumours and conspiracy theories: The Great Fire of London

Join guest speaker Nicola Clarke in an exploration of news and information dissemination in the 17th Century! This short course will examine on how news of the Great Fire of 1666 was transmitted across London, the rest of the country and Europe. There will be a particular focus on the role that different media played during the crisis and how Londoners were able to assess the reliability of the information they were receiving and conduct their own personal newsgathering. It will introduce students to original print and manuscript sources for the events and it will also explore how to assess oral news transmission during the crisis.
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Dates:
Tue 11/03/2025 -
Tue 25/03/2025
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
3 sessions
Location:
Peter House Community Centre (London)
122 Forest Rise
Walthamstow
London
E17 3PW
Tutor:
Guest Speaker
Course code:
Q00021190
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £25.20