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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Creative Writing: Writing for Blogs, Magazines and Publications

A friendly and accessible guide to feature writing, both in print and/or for digital media – blogs, online reviews etc. How to write, research, style and structure an article, either/or factual and creative. Taking time to identify a suitable publication for a proposed article and making first contact. This course also explores the online possibilities of reviews and blogging – how to blog consistently and maintain a readership. This course will make use of a mix of informal feedback, lecture using PowerPoint slides, some focused group discussion/creative tasks in breakout rooms and feedback. Suitable for beginners or improvers and those with a passing curiosity!
Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Westborough
Scarborough
YO11 1JW
Tutor:
George Cromack
Course code:
Q00020293
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £42.00

Art Appreciation: Art in Australia: Past and Present

This 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:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 22/05/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
5 sessions
Location:
Ripley Arts Centre (Bromley)
24 Sundridge Avenue
Bromley
BR1 2PX
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021428
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
6 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £47.00

Art Appreciation: Modern British Art: From the Newlyn School to World War Two.

In this online course, we will focus on a century of artistic creation in Britain. From the artists in Cornwall to the war artists during the Second World War, we will study a varied mix of artists and art movements. We will proceed chronologically, but will keep in mind several transversal themes, especially that of the dialogue with artistic centres abroad. In doing so, we will wonder whether modern British art followed a similar path as elsewhere or if some singular traits can be identified. Come and join us online to extend your knowledge of art with the guidance of tutor Caroline Levisse.
Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 10/07/2025
Times:
1:15pm - 3:15pm
Duration:
11 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021439
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £81.40

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 24/04/2025 -
Thu 29/05/2025
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

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
£15

Art Appreciation: The Art of Pompeii

In this course, we will explore the art that has been uncovered and continues to be uncovered in Pompeii. We will explore both the variety of frescoes and mosaics that may be seen there. Not only will we analyse and discover individual frescoes and mosaics, we will also discuss the lives of Pompeii’s inhabitants and the beliefs and culture which gave rise to them, exploring who art and culture defined these people and their being. There will be scope for lively discussions of the images, and advice given on further reading to enrich your understanding of this fascinating historical moment, arrested by Vesuvio’s eruption.
Dates:
Thu 24/04/2025 -
Thu 15/05/2025
Times:
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Stephen Smith
Course code:
Q00021473
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £29.60

The Emergence of Modern Art in Europe (1850 -1885): From Millet and Courbet to the Impressionists.

This 10-week course traces the radical changes in European art from 1850 to the mid-1880s. Beginning with Millet and Courbet’s realist challenge to academic traditions, we’ll explore how artists like Manet, Monet, and Degas revolutionised painting through new techniques, subjects, and compositions. As they did so, they often shocked the audience. Examining the social, political, and technological changes that fuelled these movements, we’ll uncover how modern art emerged in response to things such as modern urbanism, the development of the press, fashion and shopping, but also the invention of photography and commercialisation of the paint tube.
Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 04/07/2025
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00021311
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £74.00

Art Practical: Find Your Own Painting Style - Intermediate

This course gives students - form improvers to intermediate - the opportunity to explore different painting approaches, techniques and subjects and find their own style. Our highly experienced tutor, who is a practicing artist, provides practical and supportive advice on colour mixing, composition and tonal variation, encouraging students to explore their own personal enthusiasms to make individual and highly original paintings. Photographs and other sources will be provided but students may use their own photos and objects. Step-by-step demonstrations help students learn the skills and techniques necessary to be able to paint more confidently.
Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 04/07/2025
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
10 sessions
Location:
St Michaels Hall (Chichester)
Summersdale Road
Chichester
PO19 6PN
Tutor:
Frank Ferrie
Course code:
Q00017763
How you'll learn:
In venue
Availability:
1 place remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £84.00

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 25/04/2025 -
Fri 23/05/2025
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

Literature / Mythology: Solar Power

This ten-week course will present and explore a range of classical mythology and other traditions of myth by traveling through its different traditions paying particular attention to solar deities. Over the course of these sessions we will consider how the subject matter, style and context of texts and writers from a range of diverse mythologies contain and harness the sun in their ideas in ways that continue to powerfully impact on us in the modern world. We will examine the historical and literary specifics of each text and writer individually and as part of a collective tradition, along with reference to quality critical resources on the role, meaning and purpose of myth more widely. The sessions will combine close reading and audio-visual materials with lively, inclusive and hopefully invigorating discussion. Whether you are just coming into the world of classical and other mythologies or have been interested in these worlds for some time you will be welcome along to these sessions.
Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Times:
12:30pm - 2:30pm
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00021583
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60

Music Appreciation: Music of the Seasons

This ten-week course will present and explore classical music from across the breadth of its development, from early music through to classical music being written right now. Over the course of these sessions we will consider how the subject matter, style and context of composers from a range of diverse backgrounds has contributed to a tradition of music based on the seasons (particularly summer), the evolution of music, as well as considering other genres for reference. We will examine the background of each composer and the individual pieces that we listen to along with reference to quality critical appraisals and notes on each one. The sessions will combine active listening and audio-visual materials with lively, inclusive and hopefully invigorating discussion. Whether you are just coming into the world of classical music (and other genres) or have been listening to it for some time you will be welcome along to these sessions.
Dates:
Fri 25/04/2025 -
Fri 27/06/2025
Times:
9:45am - 11:45am
Duration:
9 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Simon Haworth
Course code:
Q00021582
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to £66.60