This article describes the results of a study into students’ experiences of independent research project work in science. Independent research projects are projects in which students are supervised (usually by a teacher, scientist or both) to work independently on a scientific problem or question over an extended period. We collected data from 39 young people aged 16–19 engaged in independent research project work using group interviews and found that the projects gave them experience of thinking and acting like a researcher, and had an impact on their aspirations for future study or employment in science.