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

A photo of Dr Simon Penn with the words: Research Excellence Awards Winner Dr Simon Penn, Outstanding Post Graduate Researcher

Dr Simon Penn wins Outstanding Post Graduate Researcher at The Open University Research Excellence Awards

Dr Simon Penn is the winner of the Outstanding Post Graduate Researcher Award at The Open University Research Excellence Awards for work that is changing the way the OU communicates feedback to students.

11th September 2024
A graphic of Dr Jennifer Agbaire with the words, Research Excellence Awards Winner, Dr Jennifer Agbaire Outstanding Early Career Researcher

Dr Jennifer Agbaire wins Outstanding Early Career Researcher at The Open University Research Excellence Awards

Dr Jennifer Agbaire has been awarded joint winner of the Outstanding Early Careers Research award at the 2024 Open University Research Excellence Awards for her exceptional research both in the UK and internationally.

11th September 2024
Hand holding a trophy

Researchers to collect prizes at The Open University Research Excellence Awards

The winning researchers of this year's Open University's Research Excellence Awards have been announced and will collect their prizes at an awards event in Milton Keynes.

11th September 2024
Portraits of the award winners. Left to right: Charon, Nichola and Imogen

Student ambassadors recognised for their contribution to student voice

Three Open University students have been recognised for their significant contributions to student voice and wellbeing, successfully gaining the SEDA Student Partnership Impact Award.

9th August 2024
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