Love to learn with the WEA

Our languages and culture courses span the length and breadth of England and Scotland, with the option to study online or in person at a time that suits you. Whether you’re looking to learn a new language and immerse yourself in another country, or you simply wish to indulge in your love and fascination of film, we have the course for you. 

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Our creative writing courses will nourish your inner writer, providing you with a platform to develop your love of poetry, non-fiction or script development. If literature courses are more your kind of thing, then you’re in luck too, as there are a wide range of topics to choose from.  

Literary greats and great periods in history

Our language courses offer you the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in a completely new culture, developing your skills so that you can speak confidently in countries right across the world. German, Italian and Greek are just a few examples of the language courses we have to offer, with many others taking place throughout the year.  

As you’d expect, literary greats such as Agatha Christie and Shakespeare feature regularly. There’s also the option to examine other time periods in English literature too, helping you develop your critical reading and analysis skills - perfect whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the subject.  

If you prefer history then you’ve got a choice too, from courses on subjects you’d expect such as the first world war, or art history and studying the works of iconic painters such as Salvador Dali. 

Support and guidance

Whatever course you choose, you'll learn in a supportive environment where the class sizes are small, ensuring you get the attention you deserve, with an experienced and qualified tutor on-hand to guide you through your learning too.  

A lot of our cultural learning is delivered by our branch network: learn more here.

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Care 2: Books for the Soul: Reading for Wellbeing

This course is for carers, former carers and the cared for. 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.
Dates:
Tue 20/05/2025 -
Tue 17/06/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Nicola Torode
Course code:
Q00021449
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: L.S.Lowry

The renowned artist L. S Lowry was born in Manchester in a town called Stretford in the Victorian age of 1887. His work is very individual instantly and highly recognised as well as being celebrated throughout the United Kingdom and beyond. The course will be delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate. The session is tailored to allow learners the opportunity to consolidate their learning as the course is delivered by discussion of their learning outcomes and opinions in a friendly and engaging environment and there will be fun group activities during the course to check on understanding and learning.
Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022114
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Literature: Exploring Shakespeare’s Sonnets

In this course we will discuss and analyse Shakespeare’s Sonnet Sequence. We will discuss the evolution of the Sonnet, the Elizabethan sonnet boom, and Shakespeare’s sonnet sonnet, placing them in the context of the Elizabeth Age, its etiquette, manners, philosophy and attitudes to love. We will discover how important a knowledge of Shakespeare’s sexuality is, and how this impacts on the enduring mysteries relating to the addressee of the sonnets and the figures within the sonnets. Come along and engage in practical criticism of the works and exchange views in what will be a lively to and fro of ideas
Dates:
Thu 22/05/2025 -
Thu 26/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021481
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

A History of Gardens & Garden Literature from the Seventeenth to the Nineteenth Century

During this five week course you will discover the significant connections that exist between garden design and literature. Through an examination of gardens and literature, we will establish the history, philosophical, aesthetic and political ideas which underpin gardens and the literature generated by them. Gardens are as you will realise our dangerous and incendiary things. The course will be supported by images and extracts on Canvas, which aim to enrich your understanding of a fascinating period. Each week will focus on a number of gardens or design movements and literary extracts, which will be analysed and discussed. Come along and enjoy a lively and informative exchange of views.
Dates:
Fri 23/05/2025 -
Fri 20/06/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021479
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £37.00

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Care 2: Women Artists - The Impressionists

This course is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. Study the contribution of three women artists to the Impressionist movement in early 20th Century.
Dates:
Sat 24/05/2025 -
Sat 24/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00021821
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Literature: Beatrix Potter

Beatrix Potter was born in 1866 in London. She had a natural talent for art and a passion for animals and nature. We will look at how this woman made her way as an artist in what was considered to be a mans world at the time . The course will be delivered by power point presentation and lecture , handouts will be given where appropriate. The session is tailored to allow learners the opportunity to consolidate their learning as the course is delivered by discussion of their learning outcomes and opinions in a friendly and engaging environment and there will be fun group activities during the course to check on understanding and learning.
Dates:
Fri 30/05/2025 -
Fri 30/05/2025
Times:
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Kerry Van Der Schraft
Course code:
Q00022116
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £7.40

Care 2: Sensations - The Young British Artists (YBAs)

This course is for carers, those who have cared, and the cared for. Study the YBAs - Young British Artists of the 1990s who dominated the British Art scene with their 'shock tactics' which drew considerable media attention
Dates:
Sat 31/05/2025 -
Sat 31/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 11:30am
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00021792
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee:
Free

Art Appreciation: Modern Architecture

This 6-week course takes you on a journey through the evolution of modern architecture, starting with the Art Nouveau movement of the late 19th century and culminating in the bold works of Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid. We’ll explore key architectural movements, including Art Deco, Bauhaus, Modernism, and Brutalism, highlighting their cultural significance, design principles, and iconic buildings. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how architecture reflects social, political, and technological changes, and how architects challenge traditional forms to shape the skylines of today. Ideal for architecture enthusiasts and those curious about the evolution of built space.
Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021430
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
1 place remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40

Literature: The Golden Age of British Crime Fiction

This course will explore the period known as The Golden Age of British Crime Fiction. We will discuss the following four novels over an eight week period: A Murder is Announced - Agatha Christie. The Crime at Black Dudley - Margery Allingham. Whose Body - Dorothy L. Sayers. The Daughter of Time - Josephine Tey. Our discussions will focus on the relationships between the authors and their crime solvers, the presentation of class and manners and the British fascination with murder which effloresces during the first 50 years of the twentieth century. Come along and enjoy lively discussions of these sometimes familiar texts.
Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 21/07/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
8 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021478
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £59.20

Art Appreciation: Art in Australia: Past and Present

This online course offers an in-depth exploration of the rich and diverse artistic traditions of Australia, spanning thousands of years. You will discover the country’s fascinating artistic heritage, from ancient Aboriginal rock art—dating back over 28,000 years—to contemporary works that reflect the cultural evolution of the region. We will examine both Indigenous artistic traditions (such as bark painting) and the European influences that arrived with colonisation (such as Impressionist landscape painting), analysing how these styles interact and shape Australian art today. This course provides an engaging and thought-provoking introduction. Join us for a journey through Australia's unique artistic landscape! No previous knowledge required.
Dates:
Mon 02/06/2025 -
Mon 07/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021431
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £44.40