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
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Welcome to the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies

WELS news

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New research investigates services for bereaved families

The Open University (OU) has embarked on a groundbreaking study examining the impact of the Medical Examiners Service on families coping with loss.

6th March 2024
Joyful woman in sport clothes dancing at home

Online dance sessions beneficial to unpaid carers

Research at the OU finds that online dancing for unpaid adult carers proves beneficial to their mental and physical health.

6th March 2024
Dr Roelen speaking to a participant at the Fundación Capital Workshop

Social protection for promoting social inclusion in Latin America

Latin America is well-known for its extensive social protection programmes, supporting poor and vulnerable populations with cash transfers and other initiatives. While these have protected families from poverty and resulted in positive outcomes for children, existing programmes have been less successful in promoting economic resilience.

29th February 2024
Three star shaped glass trophies, overlaid with the text WELS Tutor Awards 2023

WELS Tutor Awards 2023

The OU’s tutors provide essential support and guidance that enable students to succeed. Every year the Faculty of WELS celebrates those tutors that have gone above and beyond what is expected of them, via the WELS Tutor Awards, which give students the opportunity to recognise the dedication and skill of their tutors. This year fourteen tutors received awards in two categories, from nearly 400 nominations.

28th February 2024
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