Student and tutor module reviews

I particularly wanted to work towards a BPS accredited degree in psychology so this meant having to take the level 1 Introducing the Social Sciences module. For me, as an older student already working in mental health, it was frustrating having to spend a precious year on a subject which just wasn't psychology. At the same time, it did provide a sound opportunity to learn and practice essential academic skills.

The course materials were very well written and the online exercises were valuable to further understanding. I learned how to make and use mind maps which helped my understanding of concepts, and to keep a study journal which encourages self-reflection and skills awareness. Tutor support on the whole was fine, though by far the most helpful feedback I received was on the EMA (end-of-module assessment). I wish I could have had this depth of feedback all the way through.

The tutors would take it in turns to provide the tutorials so I appreciated the resulting diversity. I always found something which would be useful for the next TMA (tutor-marked assessment). However, I would like to have seen a tutor's face, perhaps even just a photograph, instead of a series of disembodied voices all through the module.

I achieved a Distinction which I can certainly attribute to the overall quality of this module. At the same time, I did work hard despite my not loving the content.

Course starting: October 2021

Review posted: August 2022

When I thought of going to University, I tried the UCAS option and I got accepted into all of my choices. Then circumstances changed, and I decided to join The Open University. Psychology has always been of interest, so I enrolled on 'Introducing the social sciences' (DD102). The module involves lots of reading and activities online. There were limited lectures, still, there was support. I can highly recommend this module for students on their pathway to achieving a BSc in Psychology.

Course starting: February 2021

Review posted: July 2022

I absolutely loved this module from start to finish. I found it so interesting and relevant. There were so many aspects of it that I could relate to and found myself discussing it at length with friends. My tutor was fantastic and offered great support and help throughout. This was my first module with The Open University and I wasn't sure how I would find it but it is so easy to follow and I loved the online activities.

Course starting: October 2020

Review posted: February 2022

This is a great introduction to studying social sciences (not surprising when you consider its title). The texts, site, planner and support on this module are excellent. I can't say that I was interested in everything that we covered but there were more than one or two topics that would never have crossed my mind to look into and yet I found them fascinating.

The tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) become gradually more complex with plenty of advice from your tutor to help you move from the results of one assignment to the next. I will say that one of the TMA questions was a bit of a beast that could just as easily have been an OU level 2 TMA question but on the whole, the guidance notes on the module site give clear instructions about what you need to do with each question.

On the whole, I really enjoyed this module.

Mark Hodges

Course starting: October 2020

Review posted: July 2021

This is a great foundation to start studying for a degree with The Open University. There were parts I found more interesting than others but you get that whatever you study.

The online tutorials and tutors were very helpful. There were recordings if you needed to go back to the tutorial and tutors were at hand if needed.

Kirstie Phillips

Course starting: October 2020

Review posted: July 2021

Really good module. Lots of different topics covered. Great tutor support. I just found some of the tutor-marked assignment questions could have been worded better for understanding what the assignment was asking for.

Course starting: February 2020

Review posted: February 2021

This module is a broad introduction to the social sciences which is a very good foundation for further study as it builds up study skills and confidence. I have found it very enjoyable and the tutors friendly and encouraging.

Course starting: October 2019

Review posted: September 2020

It was a slow start but as the module went on it became more and more interesting. Prepare to become sick of City Road but when the module moved away from there, I started to really enjoy it. It was a good first module as there was a lot of exercises to help with essay writing and other study skills. Overall a good module if you can slog through the first two months.

Lauren Henderson

Course starting: October 2019

Review posted: August 2020

I really didn't think I'd get on with this module at first as it looked boring on first impressions. Well I shouldn't have judged a book by its cover! I really enjoyed this module.

I did both DD102 and 'Investigating Psychology' (DE100) alongside each other. I really didn't have high hopes for myself being able to keep up with the workload or getting good marks due to me leaving school aged 12 (now just turned 35) never having done essays, I had no idea how to reference nor how to structure an argumentative essay in fact I'm not even sure I do now!

But did I enjoy this year? Yes I did. I was able to keep up with both modules and actually did pretty well, I had a picky tutor for this module and he didn't like the way I wrote an essay plan but having never done 1 of these either I was simply guessing! But he was so nice and he explained everything, happily emailing back if I needed any explanations I got really good marks throughout.

Anyone considering doing this module seriously do it, I can't believe how it changed my perspective on things like advertising and how shops are laid out, how we are intertwined and the strands in life etc I am a consumer by nature but I enjoyed learning about how and why!

This module eases you in and doesn't go too fast so you can keep up, the book is brilliant and a fantastic help, also the student week by week is so helpful showing you what you are doing, even allows you to get ahead which I did all year, I sent all my essays in weeks before they were due in, though you do have to wait for them to be marked.

Overall I really think anyone who's not studied before or anyone nervous about it or maybe thinks they can't do it... I'm proof you can.. I was shocked at the grades I got and passed with good scores.

And to my tutor you know who you are, thank you so much for your patience and understanding I hope you thoroughly enjoy your retirement now, you deserve it. From myself and all your students thank you!

Kelly Johnson

Course starting: October 2019

Review posted: August 2020

Returning to study was rather daunting as a mature student but I found this module very enjoyable. Time management for studying was very important with a full time job but I found the course material and the online tutorials excellent for guidance on upcoming tutor-marked assignments and preparing for a computer-marked assessment.
In my opinion this is an excellent module for anyone returning to education in preparation to study for a degree.
I found all my tutors very approachable on this module which gave me the confidence I needed when studying this module.

Roberta McDowell

Course starting: October 2019

Review posted: July 2020

I really enjoyed this module. It provides an excellent grounding in the social sciences and takes a closer look at the fabric of every day life, something which most of us do not think about and take for granted. My tutor was also very helpful.

I found the essay planning and writing prepared me well for my second year where I studied DD100, which is also a level 1 module but more challenging that this one.

Tasmyn Gorecki

Course starting: October 2018

Review posted: April 2020

Very interesting module. My tutor provided lots of helpful feedback and was always helpful when I had questions regarding course work. I must say that attending day school sessions really helped as tutors were available to assist and I just felt better equipped to produce tutor-marked assignments.

Course starting: October 2018

Review posted: April 2020

I really liked this module as it gave me a great foundation to report writing which set me up for future modules. I was very glad I did this module first before Investigating psychology 1(DE100), especially as its been some years as a mature student since I've studied and never at Uni level.

Monique Saunders

Course starting: October 2018

Review posted: February 2020

Tutor amazing, great module.

Course starting: October 2018

Review posted: September 2019

I recently completed DD102. I studied this module alongside Investigating psychology (DE100). I really enjoyed studying this module. The tutors, especially my own, were brilliant. I loved attending the dayschool on weekends and meeting other students on the module, it was a great opportunity to speak to my tutor and ask questions about assignments. It's a great module to do if you're doing a psychology degree, as some psychological perspectives are compared to sociological perspectives in later assignments.

Course starting: October 2018

Review posted: August 2019