City Lit Reviews 

1,682
•
TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.4

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 66 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. People frequently praise the exceptional teaching staff across various subjects, noting that instructors are highly knowledgeable, endlessly supportive, and truly passionate about what they teach. Learners also highlight the wonderfully well-organized courses and the friendly, engaging environments that make studying both enjoyable and accessible for everyone involved. However, some reviewers were not happy with the online platforms and digital tools, mentioning that accessing course materials and navigating the technical systems can be quite frustrating. A few attendees also pointed out occasional issues regarding large group sizes, challenging communication, or specific instructor styles that did not meet their expectations.

What people talk about most

Staff

Reviewers mention positive feedback about staff, consistently describing tutors as knowledgeable, patient,... See more

User experience

Customers had positive experiences with user experience, frequently praising the clear, engaging lessons and... See more

Quality

People report positive experiences with quality, highlighting excellent lesson materials, first-class... See more

Location

Clients share satisfaction on location, describing it as a good, clean, and pleasant place situated in the... See more

Service

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with service, as people frequently praise great teaching,... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Over several years, I have attended French classes with superb teachers and course content. However, the IT system is not user friendly and I find it impossible to log into Classroom. Some class ro... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have been taking various courses at City Lit, in Covent Garden for some years; most recently and for the recent years, Pottery on a Tuesday. The tutors are absolutely first-rate, always on hand to... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed learning Spanish over the past three years. I do my classes online which is much more convenient than travelling into town at night. Analia Tolone is an exceptionally good teach... See more

Company replied

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

If City Lit did not exist, you would simply have to invent it. A wonderful, accessible place of learning where excellence comes in the teaching, in the enormous range of subjects on offer and in the w... See more

Company replied


Company details

  1. College

Written by the company

City Lit is the country's ultimate destination for evening, weekend and daytime courses, delivered both online and face-to-face. Book now by visiting www.citylit.ac.uk


Contact info

4.4

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

2K reviews

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No recent history of asking for reviews

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Replied to 90% of negative reviews

Typically replies within 2 weeks

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4.4

All reviews

(1,682)

66 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

City Lit is great

I’ve done several courses, mainly dance. All have been great. The teachers knowledge and support is terrific. Booking is simple and they are very helpful if you need to make any changes to your booking. The main building in Holborn is easy to get too and has good facilities.

25 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Lily,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying dance with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

If City Lit did not exist

If City Lit did not exist, you would simply have to invent it. A wonderful, accessible place of learning where excellence comes in the teaching, in the enormous range of subjects on offer and in the welcome all students are made to feel. It's a place to cherish, to learn, to make new friends, to feel at home. Once discovered, never let go.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Helen,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

City lit is wonderful

City lit is wonderful! After years of attending jewellery classes in other places I found City lit (stupid of me to have missed it), and it’s so much better than elsewhere:
- affordable classes
- great teachers (Rae Duncan is fantastic)
- well equipped classrooms with enough space to work in
- smooth efficient booking process
Compared to others (a jewellery class in Hatton Garden where the teacher was great but the workbenches were on castors and moved all the time, with hardly any space at all to work on apart from the benchpeg) City Lit is streets ahead. As long as it remains affordable it will be my choice for jewellery / silversmithing

21 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Caroline,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying jewellery making with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Loving the course

Loving the course, great atmosphere and interesting content.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Sally,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great experience with online language course

I've studied a range of language courses (modern a classical) with citylit online over the past few years and they have all been great, well organised and supportive. I've been able to progress in my learning and have fun all fitting around my busy work and family life.
I've registered for another course next term and have no plans to stop!

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Martin,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A first rate institute

A first rate institute. The teaching is the best, and the student comraderie just marvellous. Supportive.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Searle,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

City Lit offers an environment that inspires

City Lit offers an environment that inspires and fosters curiosity, supports learning, and provides a safe space to explore your interests. The staff are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and committed to ensuring the best possible experience.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Matthew,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

What's to like at City Lit

I've been studying at City Lit for the past 10 years and have taken an enormous range of courses including Spanish, History (UK and the Americas), Art History, Sewing, Jewellery, Magic Performance - there's not much you can't do at City Lit and courses range from short tasters to exam level classes. I particularly like that online classes are often available (subject dependent) for when you don't want to go out on a cold, dark night in winter. Tutors are invariably of a high standard, classmates are friendly and we all learn together.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Art History

It’s been many many many since I any formal study and I’ve always loved Art History. I did a taster session and what a taste I had for it. Enrolled i in an Art History Instruction , I think 10 sessions. Oh my word wow , it was amazing , the tutor was brilliant . Every single session and every single area was just magical….. I learnt so very much and had such a great time learning. I developed interests in areas of Art History that I never thought I would. Thank you City Lit and thank you to the tutor Thomas Balfe …a great experience

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Declan,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying art history with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Women: excellent course

Everything was efficiently organised especially the course itself.

23 February 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great class

Great class, good mix of people, fab teacher!

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Resham,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great cyanotype class with Adam would recomend

I did the cyanotype class with Adam. Thoroughly enjoyable day, great supportive atmosphere and lots of ideas to take home. This was my first class and workshop at Cit lit .I would come again and recommend it. Relaxed well planned and focused class that brought together lots of perspectives

22 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Liz,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying cyanotype with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Disappointed with the Crime Reading…

Disappointed with the Crime Reading course. It seemed more like a club. The books had already been selected by previous members before the course began. Most were books I didn't want to read.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Tim,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're disappointed to hear that you have not had an enjoyable experience with us. We always want to ensure a positive and memorable learning experience and we appreciate your feedback

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Excellent French teachers

Excellent French teachers, but rubbish swivel top chairs and tables with not enough room to spread out your papers. They should get proper tables and chairs. The cafe is mostly closed so take your own food and drink.

26 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Christine,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying French with us. Thank you for your feedback about the tables as well.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Drama improv with Sam Moody - great stuff!

I've recently completed the drama improv class with Sam Moody. It was five weeks for two hours a week on a Monday night. I didn't really know what to expect but I wanted to do something different, in the drama sphere (which is an old love of mine I've not had chance to do much of in the last few years) and without any pressure.
We had a lovely group of people, really mixed in terms of ages and background but everyone got along and had great fun. It was like going along to 'play' every week! Thoroughly enjoyed escaping into something new. And Sam, the tutor, was great. We learned a lot but he was incredibly encouraging and positive, I think we can all probably say that we could improvise with a lot more confidence at the end of five weeks than at the start! Thank you Sam.

23 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Alison,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great French Beginners' Class

doing the intensive 5 week course in French gave me a great insight into the basics of the language. I came away from it feeling excited about continuing the journey. Valérie, our teacher, was excellent and great fun.

25 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi Annie,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying French with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Introduction to journalism

Introduction to journalism - poorly organised, dates of classes weren't made clear. A lesson schedule isn't provided which makes it practically impossible for anybody working in full-time to fit into their schedule.

Lack of responsibility was shown when explained my reasoning of absence to all the classes; not knowing when they took place as a schedule was missing.

A waste of money which is a huge shame when you have purposefully enrolled on the course to invest in yourself.

25 March 2026
Unprompted review
City Lit logo

Reply from City Lit

Hi,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're disappointed to hear that you have not had a positive experience with us. If you would like to discuss further, please feel free to get in touch with the department. You can find contact details here: https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11260048344989-Contact-Us-Academic-Departments

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Focus on Giotto

initially I had problems sorting out complex IT. But the lecture ' Focus on Giotto' was really interesting and well led

23 March 2026
Unprompted review
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Reply from City Lit

Hi,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're delighted to hear that you have enjoyed studying with us. We hope to welcome you back soon!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

My course has been cancelled for the…

My course has been cancelled for the second time right at the last minute due to lack of interest. I paid for this beginning of December with the credit given to me for the previous cancellation! To date I have not received a new credit or refund or an acknowledgment of my emails on this subject. So what is my next step?

I still wish to book 2 modules for courses I am already studying and use the credit for that but the courses start April 23rd. Five months after I used the credit issued to me on a course that never happened. I also received a 15% discount on that course too so I’ve lost the benefit of that.

So that’s the chance people take. Everything is great IF your course runs. If not, then it becomes Their money and you wait and wait for a credit when they should have automatically refunded the bank card in the first place.

1 December 2025
Unprompted review
City Lit logo

Reply from City Lit

Hi,

Many thanks for taking the time to submit a review. We're very sorry to hear that your course got cancelled. Unfortunately this may happen in exceptional circumstances and we would only do this as a last resort.
If you would like to discuss further or if you are still waiting for a refund, please feel free to get in touch with the department. You can find contact details here: https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11260048344989-Contact-Us-Academic-Departments

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Good classes but IT for online classes sometimes problematic

The few classes I have taken have had good teachers and been well structured. However, City Lit's guidance on setting up and using student MS365 accounts and accessing materials through Classroom needs to be rewritten to make it simpler and clearer. Someone who is not an IT person should go through it step by step and test it thoroughly. City Lit also need to sort out problems with accessing materials on Classroom.

11 February 2026
Unprompted review

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