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

New report highlights ways to improve sexuality education for refugee youth in Western Uganda

Refugee youth in Western Uganda are at a high risk of poor sexual and reproductive health, with little access to formal sexuality education.

30th November 2023
Chris Packham stares into the camera. His hands are clasped beneath his chin, he is in a wooded area.

‘Inside Our Autistic Minds’ wins at Grierson Awards

'Inside Our Autistic Minds', An Open University/BBC co-production, supported by academics from the OU’s Faculty of WELS has been honoured at the prestigious Grierson Awards, which recognise innovative and exciting documentary films.

24th November 2023
Jane stands outside Windsor Castle. She's dressed very smartly and is displaying her MBE in its presentation case.

WELS alumna receives MBE

OU alumna Jane Green recently received her MBE, awarded for her work as founder of SEDSConnective, a volunteer and user-led neurodivergent and symptomatic hypermobility health charity.

23rd November 2023
The backdrop at an awards ceremony shows a slide. Copy reads: ICDE Awards Honorary Membership to Alan Tait, with a photo of Alan in the centre

Emeritus Professor recognised for contribution to distance education

Professor Emeritus Alan Tait, former Pro-Vice Chancellor of The Open University, has been awarded Honorary Lifetime Membership of the ICDE (International Council for Open and Distance Education), one of only 13 honorary memberships granted during the organisation’s 85-year history.

23rd November 2023
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