94 Courses in Cardiff delivered Live Online

Novel Writing: From Idea to Publishing Course Overview This course offers a comprehensive journey through the entire novel writing process, from the initial spark of an idea to the final step of publishing. Learners will explore essential elements such as idea generation, audience identification, genre selection, and the craft of creating compelling plots and memorable characters. The course emphasises effective drafting and editing techniques to enhance storytelling quality. Additionally, it addresses common challenges like writer’s block and provides strategic guidance on publishing options. By the end of this course, learners will be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to develop their novel-writing skills, enabling them to create engaging narratives ready for publication or submission. This course is ideal for those wishing to develop their creative writing capabilities and gain a thorough understanding of the novel writing journey. Course Description This course delves deeply into the core aspects of novel writing, guiding learners through a structured approach to develop their stories from conception to publication. Topics include identifying and refining ideas, understanding target readers, and choosing the appropriate genre to maximise impact. The course covers narrative structure, setting development, and characterisation to build rich and immersive worlds. Emphasis is placed on writing the first draft with clarity and purpose, followed by detailed editing strategies to improve flow and coherence. Learners will also explore methods to overcome writer’s block and explore various publishing routes, from traditional to self-publishing. Throughout, the course fosters a professional understanding of the writing process, enhancing creativity, discipline, and market awareness essential for success in the literary field. Novel Writing: From Idea to Publishing Curriculum Module 01: Getting Started with Novel Writing Module 02: Finding Ideas and Selecting Your Audience Module 03: Selecting Your Genre Module 04: Planning and Plotting: Using Stories, Narrative and Setting Module 05: Bringing Your Characters to Life Module 06: Making That First Draft Module 07: Editing Effectively Module 08: Overcoming the Dreaded Writer’s Block Module 09: Getting Your Work Published (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to develop novel-writing skills and storytelling expertise. Professionals aiming to enhance their creative writing for career advancement. Beginners with an interest in literary creation and narrative development. Aspiring authors looking to understand the complete novel writing and publishing process. Career Path Novelist and Fiction Writer Creative Writer for Publishing Houses Content Creator and Story Developer Literary Agent Assistant Editorial Assistant in Publishing Self-Publishing Author

Write to Impress: Creative Writing Course Overview This comprehensive course on creative writing is designed to unlock your storytelling potential and refine your writing skills across multiple genres. Learners will explore the foundations of creative writing, from constructing compelling narratives to developing vivid characters and authentic dialogue. The course also delves into specialised areas such as poetry, thriller writing, and business communication, offering a broad and versatile skill set. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the ability to craft engaging fiction and non-fiction pieces, prepare polished proposals, and confidently approach the publishing process. Ideal for aspiring writers, professionals seeking to enhance their writing abilities, and those passionate about storytelling, this course emphasises clarity, creativity, and critical thinking, enabling learners to write with confidence and impact. Course Description This course covers a wide range of creative writing topics to provide a thorough understanding of narrative techniques and writing styles. Starting with the history and evolution of creative writing, learners will progress through novel writing, non-fiction, and the art of character creation. Emphasis is placed on writing believable dialogue and exploring genre-specific approaches such as horror and children’s literature. Additional modules address poetry, proposal development, and the importance of critical thinking in writing. The course also includes business writing essentials and guidance on editing, evaluating work, and navigating the publishing industry. Throughout the learning journey, students will enhance their analytical skills and learn to express ideas clearly and persuasively. The structured curriculum is ideal for anyone wishing to broaden their writing expertise in a supportive and well-rounded learning environment. Write to Impress: Creative Writing Curriculum: Module 01: Introduction to Creative Writing Module 02: The Development of Creative Writing Module 03: Novel Writing Module 04: Writing Non-Fiction Module 05: Creating Fictional Characters Module 06: Writing Realistic Dialogue Module 07: Writing Horrors, Thriller and Murder Stories Module 08: Writing for Children Module 09: Writing Poetry Module 10: Proposal Writing Module 11: Critical Thinking Module 12: Business Writing Module 13: Other Writings Module 14: Editing, Evaluating and Getting Published (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to develop creative writing skills. Professionals aiming to improve their writing for career advancement. Beginners with an interest in storytelling and literary arts. Writers looking to explore various writing styles and genres. Career Path Author or Novelist Content Writer or Copywriter Editor or Publisher Scriptwriter or Screenwriter Communications Specialist Marketing and Proposal Writer

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Imogen Pelham has been at Marjacq since 2015, and has worked as a literary agent for more than a decade. She represents literary fiction and some upmarket commercial fiction, as well as a wide range of non-fiction. Imogen's looking for fiction with a strong premise, a surprise twist, or sharp humour. Recent favourites include Leave The World Behind by Rumaan Alam, Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny, and Sorrow & Bliss by Meg Mason. Her non-fiction list includes history, memoir, medicine and psychology. She is particularly interested in identity, the arts and investigative journalism. Imogen would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 page synopsis and the first 10,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Imogen is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Tuesday 22nd July 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Sarah Williams is a Director of the Sophie Hicks Agency which she joined in 2014 and she has worked as a literary agent for over 10 years. Sarah represents a wide range of adult fiction and non-fiction and as she runs the film and television side of the agency, she is particularly interested in books that have screen potential. She is looking for literary fiction, reading group fiction, memoir and lifestyle/personal development - basically any book that can surprise, change and challenge a reader. Recent favourites are Tides by Sara Freeman, The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller, Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiney and In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado. Sarah would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 20 - 30 pages of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Sarah is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 23rd July 2025

Querying Microsoft SQL Server course description This course covers the technical skills required to write basic Transact-SQL queries for Microsoft SQL Server and provides the foundation for all SQL Server-related disciplines; namely, database administration, database development and business intelligence. This course helps prepare for exam 70-761. Note: This course is designed for SQL Server 2014or SQL Server 2016. What will you learn Write SELECT statements. Create and implement views and table-valued functions. Transform data by implementing pivot, unpivot, rollup and cube. Create and implement stored procedures. Add programming constructs such as variables, conditions, and loops to T-SQL code. Querying Microsoft SQL Server course details Who will benefit: Database administrators, database developers, and business intelligence professionals. SQL power users, namely, report writers, business analysts and client application developers. Prerequisites: Database fundamentals Duration 5 days Querying Microsoft SQL Server course contents Introduction to Microsoft SQL Server Management studio, creating and organizing T-SQL scripts, using books online. Hands on working with SQL Server tools. T-SQL querying Introducing T-SQL, sets, predicate logic, logical order of operations in SELECT statements, basic SELECT statements, queries that filter data using predicates, queries that sort data using ORDER BY. Hands on introduction to T-SQL querying. Writing SELECT queries Writing simple SELECT statements, eliminating duplicates with DISTINCT, column and table aliases, simple CASE expressions. Hands on writing basic SELECT statements. Querying multiple tables cross joins and self joins, write queries that use Inner joins, write queries that use multiple-table inner joins, write queries that use self-joins, write queries that use outer joins, write queries that use cross joins. Hands on querying multiple tables. Sorting and filtering data Sorting data, filtering data with predicates, filtering data with TOP and OFFSET-FETCH, working with unknown values, WHERE clause, ORDER BY clause, TOP option, OFFSET-FETCH clause. Hands on sorting and filtering data. SQL Server data types Introducing SQL Server data types, Character data, date and time data, queries that return date and time data, write queries that use date and time functions, write queries that return character data, write queries that return character functions. Hands on working with SQL Server data types. DML Adding data to tables, modifying and removing data, generating automatic column values, Inserting records with DML, updating and deleting records using DML. Hands on using DML to modify data. Built-in functions Queries with built-in functions, conversion functions, logical functions, functions with NULL, queries that use conversion functions, queries that use logical functions, queries that test for nullability. Hands on built-in functions Grouping and aggregating data Aggregate functions, the GROUP BY clause, filtering groups with HAVING, queries that use the GROUP BY clause, queries that use aggregate functions, queries that use distinct aggregate functions, queries that filter groups with the HAVING clause. Hands on grouping and aggregating data. Subqueries Self-contained subqueries, correlated subqueries, EXISTS predicate with subqueries, scalar and multi-result subqueries. Hands on subqueries. Table expressions Views, inline table-valued functions, derived tables, common table expressions. queries that use views, write queries that use derived tables, Common Table Expressions (CTEs), write queries that se inline Table valued expressions (TVFs). Hands on table expressions. Set operators The UNION operator, EXCEPT and INTERSECT, APPLY, queries that use UNION set operators and UNION ALL, CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY operators. Hands on set operators. Windows ranking, offset, and aggregate functions OVER, window functions, ranking functions, offset functions, window aggregate functions. Hands on; windows ranking, offset, and aggregate functions. Pivoting and grouping sets PIVOT and UNPIVOT, grouping sets, queries that use the PIVOT operator, queries that use the UNPIVOT operator, queries that use the GROUPING SETS CUBE and ROLLUP subclauses. Hands on pivoting and grouping sets Executing stored procedures Querying data with stored procedures, passing parameters to stored procedures, simple stored procedures, dynamic SQL, the EXECUTE statement to invoke stored procedures. Hands on executing stored procedures. Programming with T-SQL T-SQL programming elements, controlling program flow, declaring variables and delimiting batches, control-of-flow elements, variables in a dynamic SQL statement, synonyms. Hands on programming with T-SQL Error handling T-SQL error handling, structured exception handling, redirect errors with TRY/CATCH, THROW to pass an error message back to a client. Hands on implementing error handling. Implementing transactions Transactions and the database engines, controlling transactions, BEGIN, COMMIT, and ROLLBACK, adding error handling to a CATCH block. Hands on implementing transactions.

English: Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Course Overview: This "English: Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar" course provides a comprehensive understanding of the essential components of written English. Learners will explore the fundamental aspects of spelling, punctuation, and grammar, which are crucial for effective written communication. This course is designed for individuals aiming to improve their writing skills for both personal and professional use. By the end, learners will be confident in their ability to produce clear, error-free text, enhancing both their academic and workplace communication. Course Description: This course covers the key elements of spelling, punctuation, and grammar that form the foundation of written English. Topics include an introduction to grammar, sentence structure, and common spelling errors. Learners will gain a clear understanding of how to use punctuation and capitalisation correctly and will learn how to avoid common mistakes in writing. Through engaging content, learners will develop their skills to produce precise and coherent text. Whether for professional writing, academic purposes, or personal development, this course ensures learners are equipped to communicate effectively in written form. English: Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Curriculum: Module 01: Introduction to the Course Module 02: The Basics of Grammar Module 03: The Basics of Sentence Module 04: Structure of Sentence Module 05: Question Module 06: Punctuation & Capitalisation Module 07: Spelling Module 08: Common Mistakes & Ways to Improve (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to improve their written communication skills. Professionals aiming to enhance their written presentation in the workplace. Beginners with an interest in mastering English writing. Those looking to refine their grammar and spelling for academic or personal purposes. Career Path Content Writer Proofreader Editor Administrative Assistant Teacher/Tutor Communications Specialist Copywriter

Functional skills English Certification Course Overview The Functional Skills English Certification course is designed to enhance learners' command of English by improving key language skills essential for everyday communication and professional environments. It covers the fundamentals of grammar, sentence structure, punctuation, spelling, and common language errors, providing a well-rounded foundation in English. Learners will gain confidence in their reading, writing, and verbal communication, equipping them for a variety of roles in the workplace or further education. This certification is ideal for those looking to improve their English proficiency and meet the language standards required in various professional and academic settings. Course Description This course offers an in-depth exploration of the core components of English, starting with grammar and sentence structure. Learners will develop a strong understanding of punctuation, capitalisation, and spelling to enhance their writing accuracy and clarity. The course also addresses common language mistakes and offers strategies for improvement. Throughout the course, learners will engage with interactive content, building their knowledge and applying it to real-world scenarios. By the end, students will have gained the necessary skills to communicate effectively in both written and spoken English, empowering them to succeed in academic, professional, and social settings. Functional skills English Certification Curriculum Module 01: Introduction to the Course Module 02: The Basics of Grammar Module 03: The Basics of Sentence Module 04: Structure of Sentence Module 05: Question Module 06: Punctuation & Capitalisation Module 07: Spelling Module 08: Common Mistakes & Ways to Improve (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to improve their English language proficiency Professionals aiming to enhance their communication skills Beginners with an interest in mastering the English language Those preparing for English exams or certifications Career Path Administrative Assistant Customer Service Representative Teacher or Tutor Content Writer Communication Specialist Copywriter Public Relations Officer

Freelancer Masterclass Course Overview The "Freelancer Masterclass" offers a comprehensive introduction to building a successful freelance career, focusing on key skills needed for freelancing in the copywriting field. This course equips learners with the tools to confidently start their freelance journey, from understanding the foundational principles of freelance work to mastering the skills required for copywriting. Learners will gain valuable knowledge in handling clients, improving conversion rates, and navigating the nuances of closing deals. By the end of this course, participants will be well-prepared to enter the freelancing world with the essential skills to thrive in a competitive industry. Course Description This course delves deeper into the specific skills and strategies required to succeed as a freelance copywriter. From learning how to get started, understanding the skills required, to effectively communicating with prospects, the course covers a broad spectrum of essential topics. Learners will explore various niches that use copywriters, learn how to make and close deals, and understand how to build a freelance career that stands out. Throughout the course, students will be guided on how to refine their approach to increasing conversion rates and establishing a solid client base, ensuring they are well-equipped to succeed in a dynamic freelance market. Freelancer Masterclass Curriculum Module 01: Getting Started as a Copywriter Module 02: Skills Needed by a Copywriter Module 03: Communicating With Your Prospect to Improve Conversion Rate Module 04: Making and Closing a Deal Module 05: Niches That Use Copywriters Module 06: Becoming a Freelance Copywriter Module 07: Conclusion (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to start a freelance career. Professionals aiming to enhance their copywriting skills. Beginners with an interest in copywriting or freelancing. Aspiring freelance copywriters or content creators. Career Path Freelance Copywriter Content Marketing Specialist Digital Marketing Copywriter Brand Strategist Freelance Content Writer

Copywriting Level 4 Course Overview The Copywriting Level 4 course offers a comprehensive exploration of the art and science of writing persuasive, impactful copy. Designed for individuals eager to enhance their writing skills for various media, this course covers a wide range of topics, including headline creation, online and print copywriting, and crafting effective advertisements. Learners will gain valuable insights into the techniques used by professional copywriters, mastering the ability to produce compelling content across different platforms. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to create copy that captures attention, promotes engagement, and drives results. Course Description This course delves into the essentials of copywriting, focusing on both the creative and strategic aspects of the craft. Learners will explore topics such as writing eye-catching headlines, creating advertisements that resonate, and mastering the nuances of online, press, and print media copy. Through engaging modules, learners will develop critical copywriting skills, including understanding tone, style, and audience engagement, as well as learning to write for diverse media. By the end of the course, students will have the expertise needed to write clear, persuasive copy that enhances brand messaging and promotes consumer action. Copywriting Level 4 Curriculum Module 1: Introduction to Copywriting Module 2: Basics of Copywriting Module 3: Eye-Catching Headlines Module 4: Attention-Grabbing Advertisements Module 5: Essential Copywriting Skills Module 6: Online Copywriting Module 7: Press Related Copywriting Module 8: Print Media Copywriting Module 9: Copywriting for Mainstream Media Module 10: Copywriting for Other Media Module 11: How to Write Better Copy Module 12: Final Tips (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to enhance their writing skills for career growth. Professionals aiming to improve their copywriting proficiency. Beginners with an interest in marketing and advertising. Anyone aspiring to work in the field of content creation and media. Career Path Copywriter Content Writer Marketing Specialist Advertising Executive Media Consultant SEO Content Creator

Data has become the most important resource for every organisation – but the insights gained from data analysis will only ever be truly valuable if they can be clearly expressed to other people.  This course is for anybody who works with data, and needs to communicate the meaning that's in the numbers to colleagues, customers, bosses or external stakeholders.  It will give you or your team the confidence and skills to translate raw data into compelling visual stories for your key audiences. The principles and skills covered apply to the simplest PowerPoint chart, to more complex interactive visualisations.  We’ll work with you before the course to ensure that we understand your organisation and what you’re hoping to achieve.  Sample learning content Session 1: What makes a great data-driven story The key elements of a successful infographic or presentation. Industry best practice, and discussion of good (and bad) examples. A simple framework for identifying the Audience, Story and Action. Session 2: Data in context How to balance function and aesthetic appeal. Identifying the right graph, chart, infographic or other visual. Framing the data and providing contextual information. Session 3: Designing for the human brain Using colours to add emphasis and meaning. Design and layout principles, and creating hierarchies of information. The principle of ‘self-sufficiency’, and removing clutter. Session 4: Navigation and narrative Tailoring visualisations for different types of communications. Structuring presentations and longer reports. Thinking in layers to create interactive dashboards. Delivery We deliver our courses over Zoom, to maximise flexibility. The training can be delivered in a single day, or across multiple sessions. All of our courses are live and interactive – every session includes a mix of formal tuition and hands-on exercises. To ensure this is possible, the number of attendees is capped at 16 people.  Tutor Alan Rutter is the founder of Fire Plus Algebra. He is a specialist in communicating complex subjects through data visualisation, writing and design. He teaches for General Assembly and runs in-house training for public sector clients including the Home Office, the Department of Transport, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Health Foundation, and numerous local government and emergency services teams. He previously worked with Guardian Masterclasses on curating and delivering new course strands, including developing and teaching their B2B data visualisation courses. He oversaw the iPad edition launches of Wired, GQ, Vanity Fair and Vogue in the UK, and has worked with Condé Nast International as product owner on a bespoke digital asset management system for their 11 global markets.
 Testimonial “I was familiar with Alan’s work as a Guardian Masterclass instructor on data visualisation and digital journalism, which made it easy for me to recommend him for onsite training at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. We had a large group of people interested in honing their abilities to depict their research and stories in engaging ways. Alan’s course provided great insight about common communication pitfalls and how to avoid them, how to become better communicators by understanding the audience diversity, and it showcased some great online tools for creating infographics. This should be mandatory training for all students, academics, report writers and those involved with conveying research to the media as it will help increase the clarity and accessibility of our own research stories.”
 Dr Lee Haines | Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine