15 Online Poetry Courses – Free and Paid

​Check out these 15 online poetry courses free and paid to learn how to write poetry online. If you want to find poetry classes for beginners, online poetry lessons or poetry school online courses, here are many courses and workshops to write poetry for all levels of writers.

​Enroll on to courses run by established and professional distance learning providers, workshops and published authors to start learning how to write poetry, from initial idea through to publication, with guidance from experienced tutors and interaction online with other students.
 
These 15 online poetry courses include a mix of self-paced, instant access, free poetry writing courses, certification upon completion, and a poetry writing diploma course.
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1. What is Poetry? FREE Course – Open University

If you have always wanted to write poems but you’re not sure where to start, this free online poetry course could be a great option for you.
 
Ideal for beginners wanting to learn poetry online, this poetry course is “designed to illustrate the techniques behind both the traditional forms of poetry and free verse. You will learn how you can use your own experiences to develop ideas and how to harness your imagination”.
 
In this poetry class for beginners, you will learn:

• The common techniques of writing traditional forms of poetry and free verse
• How to identify personal experiences to use when writing poetry
• Develop an understanding of the practical elements and basic terminology of poetry

View course: What is Poetry? – OpenLearn via The Open University

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Related reading:

• 20 Common Literary Terms with Examples

• Find Top Online Creative Writing Courses​
• Discover the Top Online Creative Writing Courses for Beginners
• Check Out the Best Free Creative Writing Courses

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​2. Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry – MasterClass

Why not learn poetry from an established and successful poet? Here is an online poetry writing course from Billy Collins, former US Poet Laureate, whose published works include Whale Day and Other Poems, Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems, The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems.

From one of America's most esteemed contemporary poets "learn his approach to exploring subjects, incorporating humor, and finding your voice".

​The 20 video lessons cover the pleasure poetry gives us, discovering the subject, writing the poem, the writing process, finding your voice, and much more.

For anyone interested in how to read and write poetry, this online poetry course enables you to find the meaningful in the ordinary and familiar, and how poetry can take you to extraordinary places.

View course: Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry – MasterClass

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3. Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop FREE Course – Coursera

If you would like to improve your poetry writing, learn key poetic terms and devices as well as understand how poetic composition tools can be used, this free online writing course from the California Institute of the Arts via Coursera may be the course for you.

This online poetry course is ideal for beginners, only takes about 8 hours of study time, and it is a self-paced course that can be accessed at any time. To access this course for free, click on the “Enroll for Free” box and select the “Full Course, No Certificate” option.

Learner Review: "This was a superb workshop. I enjoyed myself thoroughly and learned a lot that came in my way. Grasping poetry devices taught in such a fun way was really awesome. The mentors were very supportive."

In this poetry class for beginners, you will learn:

• Introduction and the poetic line
• Abstraction and image
• Metaphor and other formulas of difference
• Rhyme and rhythm
• Sharpened poetry: revision strategies

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View course: Sharpened Visions: A Poetry Workshop – Coursera

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4. Various Poetry Workshops – Poetry School

Why not try one of the Poetry School online courses which are available 3 terms a year? The expert tutors provide reading material, writing assignments, and personalized feedback on your poems.

For students anywhere in the world, the Poetry School offers one of the largest online poetry programs available from any e-learning provider, and their courses regularly sell out. See their current poetry workshops available for booking at the website link below.

These online poetry lessons are suitable for all levels of writers, they are structured to take place as regular fortnightly sessions (on average this amounts to 5 assignments over 10 weeks).

Some lessons also include live chats, and chatroom discussion between the tutor and students. And each term the Poetry School offers classes which are a combination of writing new poems, feedback sessions, and reading classes where students learn more about poetry.
 
View course: Poetry Workshops – Poetry School

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5. Writing Poetry (Online) – University of Oxford

An online poetry course which offers “directed readings and tutor-guided, text-based discussions and debate”. There are set start dates for this course, but no “live” sessions, so you can fit the study around your other commitments.
 
This is a great option to learn poetry online, and it is recommended for students to participate in the online forums, when it’s convenient, as they help to enrich the online learning experience.
 
Amongst many topics, students will learn rhyme, rhythm, and meter; figurative language; blank verse; syllabic verse and free verse; and lyric poetry.

View course: Writing Poetry (Online) – University of Oxford

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6. ​Online Poetry Course – Creative Writing Ink

This online poetry course “is an ideal way to explore the business of poetry under the guidance of a published poet”.
 
Whether you’re a beginner poet aspiring to master the craft of writing poems, you’d like help to write a collection of poetry or if you’re a published poet wanting to develop your writing style further, this poetry course could benefit you.
 
A 6-week course with set start dates, your tutor is published poet Eileen Casey, who is also a journalist and fiction writer, and holds an M.Phil in Creative Writing (Distinction) from The School of English, Trinity College, Dublin.
 
The online poetry lessons covered in this course include how "found" poetry is identified, understanding that "form choice" ensures the work has definition and structure, writing memoir poems, and examining the relationship between the written word and the world of music, photography, and painting.
 
View course: Online Poetry Course – Creative Writing Ink

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7. ​The Essentials of Poetry – Creative Writing Now

On this online poetry course you will learn the techniques to ensure your poems are powerful, that they work on more than one level at a time, and how to create intensity and atmosphere.

If you’re looking to write poems that show readers a new way to look at the world, this course may be the one for you.
 
This is an 8-week course where the content is provided by email, so students can study in their own time from anywhere.
 
In the online poetry lessons, you will learn:

• An introduction to poetry
• Subject matter
• Words and images
• Lines and stanzas
• Meter
• Rhythm
• Rhyme
• Patterns

 
View course: The Essentials of Poetry – Creative Writing Now

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8. Ways into Poetry: An Introduction – City Lit

If you’re new to poetry, this "inspiring course offers an opportunity to experiment with language and a variety of poetic devices alongside fellow emerging poets. Discover the key elements of a poem in a friendly and interactive class".

This is a supportive and engaging short course which enables students to "find your feet. Practical writing exercises will teach you to experiment with a variety of styles and techniques, form and content will be explored through group discussion, and you will learn from examination and analysis of the work of published poets. A range of different topics will be explored each term."

The course takes place online in the evening (UK time) with 11 sessions over 11 weeks. 
 
There are set start dates for this online poetry course, and by completion the aim is for students to respond to and assess pieces of writing with sensitivity, participate constructively in a workshop setting, and read and write with an increased understanding of the key elements of a poem.

View course: Ways into Poetry: An Introduction – City Lit

Click here for a full list of poetry courses offered by City Lit,

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9. An Introduction to Poetry Course – UK Writers College

This online poetry course is self-paced for up to 6 months, and comprises 15 assignments and 3 modules.

The “Introduction to Poetry Course will take you on a creative journey, from the very first step of putting your thoughts and feelings down on paper to penning a complete and polished poem. If you have already dabbled in poetry, we will help you take the next step: getting your work published”.
 
This course could be the ideal option if you need help to turn your ideas into finished poetry or if you would like to see your collection of poems published.
 
Course participants are assigned a tutor who is an established and successful poet, who guides students through the 3 modules, and by the end of the course you will gain writing confidence together with 5 completed poems.
 
View course: An Introduction to Poetry Course – UK Writers College

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10. Online Pause with Poetry – City Academy

This course from City Academy is a “calm, relaxing online course that encourages mindfulness with an actor’s approach to poetry”.

There are regular start dates and the course duration is 6 weeks on this interactive online poetry course.

If you’re interested in mindfulness and introspection while learning how to write poetry with regular prompts, this course could be for you.
 
View course: Online Pause with Poetry – City Academy

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11. Poetry Writing Diploma Course – Centre of Excellence

From the Centre of Excellence, this online poetry course is accredited, students have lifetime access, and comprises 11 modules on learning how to write poetry.

“The Poetry Writing Diploma Course walks you through the components that make stunning poetry and the techniques that you can put into practice, to begin or improve your own work”.

On this online poetry course, you will learn:

• About the history of poetry
• Understand key poetic terms and devices, and how to apply them
• Be competent in writing a wide range of poetic forms
• Have the ability to recognize and experiment with different poetic structures
• How to apply techniques such as meter, rhyme and figurative language in your own work
• Developing your own “poet’s voice”, and which forms and techniques to use
• Understand the publishing process when it comes to poetry and feel confident in submitting work to literary publications

 
To receive accreditation for your study while learning how to write poetry, check out more about this course at the link below.

View course: Poetry Writing Diploma Course – Centre of Excellence

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12. ​How to Be a Confident Poet – National Centre for Writing

This is a self-paced, access any time online writing poetry course from the National Centre for Writing. The tutor is Anna Cathenka, who is an experienced creative writing tutor with experience running workshops in poetry and experimental writing for both adults and children. 

On this online poetry course you will learn:

• How to connect with your ideas
• How to read poetry more deeply
• Finding truth in yourself
• Using vocal sounds and hearing poetry
• Understanding poetic artifice, and how to use it
• Using repetition
• Identifying and using forms
• How to edit your poetry

 
View course: How to Be a Confident Poet – National Centre for Writing

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13. Start to Write Poetry – Faber Academy

Undertake this one-day online writing course if you would like to receive instant feedback on your poems, discover how to find inspiration, and learn how to start reading and thinking like a poet. “Start to Write Poetry is the perfect introduction to writing poetry, and an excellent primer for our longer poetry courses, too. If you're thinking about poetry, start here".

Taught by award-winning poet Richard Scott, this introductory course aims to help start your poetry writing journey.

There are set dates for this poetry course and other more advanced courses as listed below:

• Faber Academy Poetry Writing Courses

View all Faber Acadmeny writing courses here

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14. ​Online Poetry Classes – Skillshare

Skillshare is a popular online learning platform with thousands of creative courses and classes taught by experts to help all levels of learners to acquire new skills.

If you are looking to start writing poetry, want to use poetry for self expression or you would like to learn how to write song lyrics, there is a course for you. Below listed are just a few of the courses available.

Click the link below to see the full list and view the courses in detail.

• Writing for Expression
• Introduction to Making Poems
• Instagram Poetry
• Poetry for Beginners
• How to Write a Song: Basics of Songwriting
• Poetry for Self Expression
• The Poet's Toolbox for Readers and Writers
• Poetry Basics: How to Write a Publishable Poem

 
View course: Online Poetry Classes - Skillshare

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15. Poetry Writing – Learndirect

Whether you’re a novice or more experienced writer, this online poetry course will help you from idea to final revision. The course states “wiith the help of your personal tutor you will develop and hone your skills, in addition to receiving advice on writing poems suitable for publication, broadcasting, and competition”.
 
There are 5 comprehensive units where you will learn all aspects of poetry writing, so this course will help you to progress and hone your writing skills. Students will also receive advice on writing poems to publish or enter into competitions.
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After each lesson, students are assessed so your tutor can monitor your progress and provide you with support and guidance throughout the duration of the course.
 
Upon completion of this poetry course, you will receive a Level 3 Poetry Writing Certificate of Achievement.

View course: Poetry Writing Course – Learndirect

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