Poetry - Short Online Course - 25 March to 15 April 2026

A fun introductory course to inspire new writing from you; there will be no house style, but you will be encouraged to be open-minded and try out the many new ways of writing poetry, from traditional page poetry to performance poetry to social media texts. The course will be taught by internally acclaimed poet, professor and broadcaster (of the weekly Poetry Extra on Radio 4 Extra), Professor Daljit Nagra MBE. Daljit was the only writer in the UK commissioned to write a poem for the King’s Coronation, for the Lighting Up the Nation ceremony in 2023. A session will also be run by the Booker Prize winner, poet and novelist, Professor Bernardine Evaristo.

The aim of this eight-week course is to build confidence and a range of skills for writing cutting edge poetry. In addition, you will learn ways to unlock some of the trickier aspects of the contemporary poem. You will be invited to write poetry in a range of styles, from the traditional to the experimental because the best learning happens through practise. Participants will be encouraged to chat in groups, to write in the sessions and share their new work with each other.