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: Amazons through 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. 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.
Dates:
Tue 06/05/2025 -
Tue 15/07/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jane Williams
Course code:
Q00021753
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Care 2: Health Wellbeing and the Environment

This course if for carers, those who have cared, and the card for. We will be looking at the connections between personal health, lifestyle, and the environment.
Dates:
Tue 06/05/2025 -
Tue 06/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021814
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Literature: The story of the detective story

The detective story is one of the most popular literary genres, as well as one that has produced some classic novels. Each week we focus on a short detective story or novel, reading and discussing key passages. The selected novels are in chronological order, from the 19th century to modern times. We begin with Edgar Allen Poe and Conan Doyle, and end with Sophie Hannah. We’ll be able to share and debate interpretations, sharpen our critical and appreciative faculties, understand what detective fiction can tell us about the society and culture that produced it, and, hopefully, be inspired to read other works by the writers featured on the course. The course is funded by the Greater London Combined Authority.
Dates:
Mon 12/05/2025 -
Mon 16/06/2025
Times:
10:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Brandon Robshaw
Course code:
Q00020027
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £47.00

Care 2: Simple Remedies to combat Stress and Anxiety

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. These courses will enhance well being with a variety of techniques and easy tips to help the body cope with stress and anxiety.
Dates:
Mon 12/05/2025 -
Mon 12/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lisa Richards
Course code:
Q00021674
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Care 2: Greener Practices in the Garden

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. Whatever the size of your garden is, it is your own bit of the planet and how you treat it should reflect your care for the environment and be able to meet the environmental changes from climate change. This lesson looks at how you can make your garden, your own patch of earth a refuge for yourself and nature, thereby making the world a greener place and not another artificial environment.
Dates:
Tue 13/05/2025 -
Tue 13/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021812
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: Crime and Punishment in Early Modern London

Crime and punishment in London have a long history. This course focuses on the period between the Tudors and the Georgians to explore the impact of dealing with criminal behaviour and how it left its mark on the history of the city and our legal system today.
Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Tue 10/06/2025
Times:
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Peter House Community Centre (London)
122 Forest Rise
Walthamstow
London
E17 3PW
Tutor:
Anna Cusack
Course code:
Q00021262
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £33.60

Care 2: Greener Practices in the House

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. When the front door is closed, we all think we are safe from the problems of pollution and climate change outside. However, some of the individual choices we make in our home can affect us and wider global environmental problems. This course looks at how we can make better choices and reduce the impact on our health and the environment
Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Tue 20/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021811
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Care 2 (Health and Social Care): Simple Remedies to Combat Stress and Anxiety

This course will enhance well being with a variety of techniques and easy tips to help the body cope with stress and anxiety.
Dates:
Wed 21/05/2025 -
Wed 25/06/2025
Location:
Online
Course code:
Q00021825
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Care 2: Greener Practices - Lets Avoid Waste in the House

This course is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. With the emphasis on recycling, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that the best way of dealing with waste is not to produce it in the first place. This lesson suggests ways to avoid waste in the home and improve your environmental footprint.
Dates:
Tue 27/05/2025 -
Tue 27/05/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Lee Armon
Course code:
Q00021813
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

History: When Peace Broke Out. The Austerity Years 1945 -1951

This is a repeat of the same popular course in Summer 2024: From the viewpoint of 80 years after the end of the second world war this six -week course will allow learners to revisit the immediate post war world. We will examine the transformation of Britain from May 1945 through to 1951. The course will cover the pivotal 1945 general election, the extensive social changes, (including the establishment of the NHS and the welfare state) and the economic challenges faced by the country during the austerity years. Through a combination of secondary and primary source analysis, and discussions, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how the immediate post-war period shaped modern Britain.
Dates:
Wed 04/06/2025 -
Wed 09/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kate Antoniou
Course code:
Q00021471
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40