Short courses

Our courses aim to support, inspire and create new opportunities.

These adult part-time learning courses are open to the public. No qualifications required for most of these courses. Please check individual course listings for entry requirements.

Bookings are made using the University secure online shop. Places are given on a first come basis.

Click here to read our booking information and refund policy.

Summer 2024 Courses

Courses starting May 2024. Currently 'Writing Your World' is the only course running in the summer term. Autumn term courses will be updated soon

Writing Your World
This course enables students to use life writing techniques to write their own short story over eight weeks.

Pathway programmes

Reading English Literature
This course aims to be enjoyable introduction to the study of classic and modern literature. Share your ideas, explore poetry and gain a greater understanding of Shakespeare.
Mastering English Literature
This course is for graduates in any discipline from any university who want to return to study and sharpen their study skills or prepare for the MA in English Literature at Bristol.

Literature and Fiction

Interpreting Shakespeare
Deepen your understanding of a selected Shakespeare play with a leading Shakespeare director using theatrical and academic techniques of interpretation.
Detective and Crime Fiction
This course aims to be an enjoyable exploration of detective and crime fiction. Each year, we pick a different theme and gather together experts from across the University to explore a range of novels and short stories with you.
Literature and Environmental Challenge
This new short course will trace a history of Environmental writing through exploring a range of international fiction, poetry and literary non-fiction.

Creative Writing

Memoir & Life Writing
How can we write about our lived experience? This course aims to encourage, support, and excite participants in engaging with creative writing in a safe and informal space.
Travel and Nature Writing
This exciting new 8-week short course will introduce you to the genre of travel and nature writing.
Introduction to freelance journalism
This course will introduce you to the nuts and bolts of journalistic writing.
Poetry Now
Poetry Now uses excerpts from recent poetry collections as a springboard for discussions about the current craft and context of contemporary poetry, as well as for prompts for your own work.
Nature Writing
This short course provides a rich and supportive forum for students to develop their nature/environmental writing (non-fiction).
Writing your World
This course enables students to use life writing techniques to write their own short story over eight weeks.
Creative Writing Mentoring Scheme for intermediate writers
Our mentoring programme is designed to provide intermediate writers with focussed support to help address specific issues they are facing in their writing. You will be matched with a mentor who has expertise in a genre/genres of your choice.

History

Black History: Revisited
Black History Revisited is a short course designed primarily to help mature students progress to a degree in the History Department. This course will provide you with historical knowledge and critical skills to understand contemporary debates around black history.

Taster Courses

Community courses

We also run part-time taster courses for adults in collaboration with community groups. If you run a community group and would like to find out more, please get in touch.

Are these courses for me?

Our short courses provide a variety of avenues for adult learners. Some simply aim to reconnect people with the pleasures of reading and discussing literature in a group. Some offer a bridge into Higher Education, a degree or a post graduate qualification.

Our students often start their journey back into education after a break from study. They range in age from 19 to 80 and our student community crosses all barriers of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, social class and educational achievement. These courses offer a bridge into higher education.

Perhaps you have been busy raising a family or holding down a career and would like to do something new in your extra time. Did you leave education before you achieved the qualifications you would now like to gain?

We have workshops in 'Creative Writing' and a specialist workshop in 'Interpreting Shakespeare'. These workshops can help you progress creative projects you may already be engaged in. They can help you get started with projects you dream of creating!

If you would like course information, please email: english-lifelong@bristol.ac.uk

Contacts

Please address any enquiries about the courses to:

Department of English Part-time Courses
School of Humanities
3-5 Woodland Road
Bristol BS8 1TB

Email: english-lifelong@bristol.ac.uk

Department of English