The Art of Public Speaking
Course dates: Wednesday 17 February - Wednesday 24 March 2027
Class timetable: 6 sessions (View class timetable for Wednesday 17 February 2027 to Wednesday 24 March 2027)
Timetable data for Wednesday 17 February 2027 to Wednesday 24 March 2027
| Day of class | Date of class | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 17-Feb-2027 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 24-Feb-2027 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 03-Mar-2027 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 10-Mar-2027 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 17-Mar-2027 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
| Wednesday | 24-Mar-2027 | 6:00pm - 9:00pm | Birkbeck Campus, Central London |
Location: Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Fees: £425.00
RegisterCourse Overview
The Art of Public Speaking course will develop practical skills to improve public speaking and will enable you to present your ideas and thoughts with clarity and charisma. Speaking confidently and persuasively is an important skill within the workplace and other public-facing settings, and this course will allow you to improve articulation, persuasion and communication to help achieve your goals.
With a focus on breath, presence and audience engagement, this short course will leverage established techniques of embodied performance practice to support and develop your capacity to communicate ideas clearly and convincingly in various modes of delivery, including in-person, online, interpersonally and in public presentations. To support your skills development, you will analyse the histories, theories and practicalities of oracy and rhetoric, from Aristotle and Sophocles to TikTok and TED Talks.
The course will cover key elements of public speaking, such as:
- language and leadership
- oracy and access
- delivering persuasive presentations
- storytelling
- understanding and engaging audiences
- developing interview skills.
The Art of Public Speaking course is well suited for those who wish to become more confident and effective communicators, including students, career professionals, entrepreneurs, freelancers and jobseekers. The course is particularly valuable for those preparing for interviews, leadership roles, public-facing roles or work and networking opportunities. Using a theatre-based approach, drawing on actor training and performance techniques, you will develop presence and confidence which can be translated directly into your professional environment.
As a learner on this course, you will study alongside fellow professionals wishing to enhance their knowledge in the subject area, giving you the opportunity to make connections with like-minded colleagues and network.
You will receive a Birkbeck certificate of participation upon completion of the course.
This course is non-credit bearing, so carries no credit points.
Fees
Students are charged a tuition fee for each short course on registering. Please view details for this course, including dates, location and fees at the top of this page. Short course fees may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see our Fees Policy.
Discount information
We offer a 20% discount to Birkbeck students, alumni and staff. If you are eligible to claim this discount, please contact the Innovation Support Unit so that we can process your booking.
Entry Requirements
Most of our short courses have no formal entry requirements and are open to all students.
This short course has no prerequisites.
As part of the registration process, you may be required to submit a copy of a suitable form of ID.
International students who wish to come to the UK to study a short course can apply for a Visitor visa. Please note that it is not possible to obtain a Student visa to study a short course.
How to Register
You can book directly onto the short courses you would like to take, using the Register button above which will direct you to the relevant booking page. Courses are filled on a first-come, first-served basis - so apply early if you're interested.