Real World Impact Projects

Ready to apply your skills to real world challenges?

Real World Impact Projects give you the opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team of Queen Mary students and work directly with charities, social enterprises, SMEs, startups, and cultural organisations. Together, you’ll tackle genuine challenges and deliver solutions that have meaningful social, cultural or organisational impact.

These projects form part of SKETCH – Queen Mary’s Student Knowledge Exchange Programme, which connects students with external organisations to solve real world problems while building career ready experience.

Why take part?

• Build hands-on consulting experience 

You’ll analyse a client brief, generate insights, develop solutions, and present actionable recommendations – just like a professional consultant. 

• Strengthen your employability

SKETCH projects are designed to enhance your confidence, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills – all of which employers look for.

• Grow your professional network

You’ll collaborate with organisations such as NHS archives, historical trusts, museums and social enterprises, developing industry connections that can support your future career.

• Make a real difference

Your work addresses genuine organisational needs, helping partners improve digital content, research capacity, engagement strategies, public outreach and more.  

Who can take part?

Projects are open to students in the School of Business and Management and the School of Society & Environment, with teams formed to include a mix of disciplines and skills.  

Time commitment:

Approximately 15–20 hours across an 8-week period.  

What you’ll do: 

• Join a multidisciplinary project team 

• Work with a real external client 

• Receive a clear project brief 

• Conduct research, analysis or content development 

• Present your findings and recommendations 

• Build your portfolio with real consultancy experience 

Places are limited, and applications are reviewed on a rolling or deadline specific basis depending on the semester. 

What are the projects?

Projects run in both Semester A and Semester B, with each semester offering a new set of organisations and challenges. 

Semester A Projects 

Barts Health Archives (NHS) 

Project: Learning Resource Development
Help create accessible, educational content that supports public understanding of local medical history. 

Swadhinata Trust 

Project: Social Media Strategy & Content Development 
Strengthen digital engagement for an organisation celebrating the culture and heritage of Bengali communities in the UK. 

Jigsaw House Society 

Project: Public Opinion Enquiry 
Support research into community attitudes to inform programme design and outreach. 

Semester B Projects 

History of Parliament 

Project: Developing a Reporting Framework 
Create tools and templates that support historical research and public engagement. 

Oxford House 

Project: Content Creation 
Develop highquality written or visual content to support community outreach and programming. 

Museum of the Home 

Project: Audience Research & Evaluation 
Help the museum understand visitor needs and assess engagement strategies. 

About SKETCH 

SKETCH is Queen Mary’s award-winning Student Knowledge Exchange Programme, designed to connect students with external organisations through hands-on, challenge-based learning. Students work in teams to solve real world problems and gain experience that enhances employability and personal development.