Through a mixture of short tutor presentations and immersive research exercises using dozens of original sources from our special collections, we’ll explore such themes as immigration and protest. Along the way we’ll get to know a range of East End characters, including community workers, gangsters, politicians, anarchists, housing campaigners, and pacifists.

Who is this course for?

• People new to the East End and keen to discover the area’s rich history
• Family historians with links to the area, wishing to learn more about their East End heritage
• Informal learners with a general interest in London history
• Research geeks, keen to get their hands on dozens of original historical materials
• Creatives and writers seeking fresh or unusual stories about the past.

What can I expect?

• The subject is examined through original sources from Bishopsgate Institute’s special collections, many of them rare and some unique (e.g. unpublished autobiographies, police arrest notebooks, guidebooks, scrapbooks, campaigning ephemera)
• Each week the tutor provides an overview of the historical materials
• Questions and activity ideas provide focus for practical research exercises
• Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the sources, which have been arranged in curated sets to represent themes relevant to the East End
• Students spend time with each set of materials, with the tutor on hand to give guidance and answer questions
• A timeline handout provides historical background and context
• Facilitated, informal group discussions offer a chance to share findings and reflect on ‘then’ and ‘now’ contrasts at the close of each session
• Suggested short homework activities and reading lists allow students to extend their learning between sessions, should they wish to do so.

How we’re keeping you safe

April 2022 update: Keeping you safe and healthy is our number one priority.

If you test positive for Covid-19 or are asked to isolate and are not able to attend your class or pre-booked event, please contact the Bishopsgate Box Office for further information (enquiries@bishopsgate.org.uk). Please do not come to the Institute in person if you have symptoms or have tested positive.

Wearing a face mask is no longer compulsory but we ask you to consider others when in our building and especially when spending time in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you don’t normally meet. You will see many of our staff and volunteers continuing to wear face masks and we are keeping the perspex screens at our reception desks.

Bishopsgate Institute has strict cleaning protocols in place and ventilation throughout the building. There are hand-sanitising stations available throughout the building and touch-free drinking fountains. Find out more about how we’re keeping you safe.

Bursary places

We provide a number of funded bursaries to people who find it hard to pay the full or concessionary rates. Find out more information on how to apply.