Welcome to the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies

Organised as three Schools, the Faculty works across a range of disciplines including Education, Childhood and Youth, Health and Social Care, Youth Work, Social Work, Languages and Applied Linguistics, Nursing, and Sport and Fitness. We take an innovative approach to teaching and learning, developing collaborative partnerships with employers and other institutions, and engaging in cutting-edge, action-oriented and internationally recognised research.

Find out more about our Faculty

Schools

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Study with us

The Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies offers 17 undergraduate and five postgraduate degrees as well as a wide range of certificates and diplomas, across nine subject areas in the fields of health and social care, education, sport and fitness, and languages and applied linguistics. We also offer short courses in languages and international culture, and apprenticeships in the key areas of nursing, advanced clinical practice, and social work. Our qualifications are developed by practice-based experts, including teachers and health care professionals, and informed by our internationally recognised and award-winning research.

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Our research

The key focus of our research is enabling communities to realise their potential, lead healthy, fulfilling lives, create inclusive societies, and thrive in the context of global change and uncertainty. Driven by the OU’s social mission, and inspired by the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, our research covers the span of life from the cradle to the grave. A key characteristic of our research is its interdisciplinary and practice-based approach. We harness the expertise and insight of our diverse research specialisms to help support change and impact policy, not just across the Four Nations, but also further afield in our global development work

Research in WELS
Shot of a young child's arm holding on to an elderly person's hand by the little finger. The older arm wears a brown leather watch with a gold buckle. The background is distorted greenery,

Welcome to the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies

WELS news

Portrait of Professor Mirjam Hauck

Pushing the boundaries of technology in learning: Professor Mirjam Hauck

Dr Mirjam Hauck, from the School of Languages and Linguistics, has been promoted to Professor of Critical Digital Pedagogies, following nearly 30 years at the forefront of technological developments at The Open University.

8th April 2025
Portrait photograph of Professor Eric Addae-Kyeremeh

New Professor of Educational Leadership and Development

Dr Eric Addae-Kyeremeh, from the OU's School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS), has been promoted to Professor of Educational Leadership and Development in recognition of his sustained excellence in teaching, knowledge exchange and academic leadership in education and international development.

2nd April 2025
Portrait of Professor Martin Robb

New Professor of Care Ethics and Culture

Dr Martin Robb, from The Open University’s School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care, has been promoted to Professor of Care Ethics and Culture. His academic research has been broadly concerned with issues relating to gender, identity and care, and has included studies of men working in childcare, young masculinities, fathering identities, and bereaved fathers.

1st April 2025
Reading from the Empathy Fix at its launch event

The Empathy Fix: the importance of empathy in poverty reduction

Led by CSGD Co-Deputy Director Dr Keetie Roelen, an audience of 90 activists, researchers and policy makers gathered at an anti-poverty organisation in London to discuss the role of empathy in reducing poverty, and celebrate the publication of Dr Roelen's book, The Empathy Fix. 

27th March 2025
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