The Mary Ward Centre is a specialist adult education college offering part time courses of study in the daytime, evenings and at weekends in subjects that have relevance for work, personal growth or just for fun.

The Centre was named after Mary Ward, a dynamic late Victorian who acquired fame and riches through her bestselling novels. She founded the Mary Ward Settlement with the aim of providing cultural and educational opportunities to those denied them through circumstances of birth. She was instrumental in setting up Somerville College, the first women’s college at Oxford and also introduced the first school for disabled children and the play centre movement to England.

Every year 7,000 Londoners choose to study at the Mary Ward Centre. The courses available are at all levels from introductory to challenging and are taught by experienced tutors. Day, evening and weekend options of varying length help ensure a time convenient for any schedule.

What's on offer Courses encompass subjects ranging from art to anatomy, computer applications to confidence building, and painting to public speaking. Many courses have certificates at the end yet there are also opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge and personal insight purely for fun.

Our courses are the best option to fit your lifestyle. You can choose from a course lasting for two days to one lasting much longer, to develop your skills and knowledge. You can gain professional qualifications in alternative therapies, counselling, childcare and crèchework, community interpreting and translation.

The Centre also offers Access to HE courses in art and philosophy.

We also have a programme of courses aimed at older learners which exercise the mind and creativity as well as the body.