[3] More recently in May 2023, City Lit was graded as "outstanding" by Ofsted [4] in all five categories which are: The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and adult learning programmes.

Among the very first courses City Lit offered in 1919 were lipreading classes for Londoners returning with damaged hearing from the battlefields of the First World War.

[7] City Lit never closed its doors in the war; during the Blitz classes took place in air raid shelters, on the platforms of Covent Garden and Holborn Tube station, one music tutor even wheeled a piano underground for recitals.

[8] In 2005, City Lit moved from its building in Stukeley Street to new, purpose designed premises in nearby Keeley Street,[9] which are fully accessible[10] and include facilities such as studio spaces (for visual arts, drama and health and movement), "supported learning centre" (library), roof terrace with a herb garden, theatre and music recital room.

[13] City Lit offers subjects in the areas of art, drama, dance, creative writing, history and politics, philosophy, languages ranging from French and German to Persian and Korean, computing, counselling, music, and fitness.

Speakers and contributors of the Mental Wealth Festival include Grayson Perry CBE, Ed Balls, Jonny Benjamin MBE,[18] Dr Kathryn Mannix and Antony Gormley.

In 2014, proposed cuts and redundancies, including to university access, English and maths GCSE courses, and deaf education, attracted controversy.