Skip to main content
Short Courses

Reading Round

Course summary

Start date

20/10/2025

Cost

£100.00

Delivery mode

In person (On Campus)

Course image

About the course

This course is designed for those who love literature but have little time for homework.

Run over five weeks, each class will focus on a piece of short fiction, non-fiction or poetry (story, essay or poem). Each week, the class teacher will read the text out loud. Following the reading there will be time for group discussion where you will consider characterisation, tone, mood, form and imagery.

You will be provided with the text at the start of each class and no preparation is required, making it ideal for those looking to engage with literature without the commitment of extra tasks.

You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection. 

What you'll learn

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

  • Recognise and articulate the use of literary techniques and terminology in short, self-contained texts
  • Apply active listening skills, focusing on understanding and interpreting spoken literary texts during live readings
  • Discuss literary themes, techniques, and personal interpretations in a group setting 

Who the course is for

No prior knowledge is required.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy. Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services.  

Entry criteria

The course is suitable for those with no prior experience of university study.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented orally and in writing. You must be comfortable studying in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the study materials.   

Additional Information

Course options

If the course has more than one start date, time, delivery mode or location, then these options will all be shown in the table below.

All times are local to Edinburgh.

Start dateDelivery modeCampusClass timeCostBook now
20/10/2025In person (On Campus)Holyrood (Moray House) (opens in a new window)11:10-13:00£100.00Book now

View all short courses