The best way to learn is by doing. At the University of Waikato, we have Work-Integrated Learning (
WIL is your chance to get work experience before you graduate and earn credits at the same time. Instead of just reading about your future career in a textbook, you get to try it out through supervised learning in real organisations.
Depending on what you are studying and your school, WIL can look like an internship, placement, practicum, project or any professional work experience.
Along the way, you will be supported with clear learning outcomes from both the University and your partner organisation.
Skills gained from Work-Integrated Learning
- Turn your classroom knowledge into practical skills.
- Contribute to real projects in a professional organisation.
- Build your professional network before you graduate.
- Grow your confidence and discover your career strengths.
- Enhance interpersonal and professional skills.
Are you looking for...
Work-Integrated Learning FAQs for students
Find the WIL handbook for students and FAQs for before, during and after your WIL experience.
Offer a student placement or internship
Shape the future workforce by offering hands-on learning opportunities for students in your business or organisation.
Sign into MyWIL
(opens in a new tab)MyWIL is the student facing platform to manage your placement.
Work-Integrated Learning in your school
Each school has Work-Integrated Learning information specific to your study. Find out how WIL works in your degree and who to contact for support.
Impact Studio
Impact Studio offers Work-Integrated Learning projects within a creative studio environment on campus. Teams of students across all University programmes work together to tackle client briefs and produce real deliverables.
Ways you can learn
Work-Integrated Learning is known by many names depending on your degree and school. This table explains the most common types of WIL and how each one works.
The term 'partner organisation' may refer to a business, community group, education or health sector, industry, local or national government, not for profit (NGO) or other workplace.
|
Type |
What it involves |
Where |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone Project | Project-based paper where you apply your learning to a real-world topic. Usually completed in the final year of your degree. E.g. Science or Engineering. | University of Waikato campus |
| Clinical Placement | Supervised practical experience in a health or clinical setting. Common in health, midwifery, nursing, and pharmacy programmes. | Hospital, clinic, or health facility |
| Internship | Structured work experience with a partner organisation over a set period. Contribute to real projects and gain industry experience. | Partner organisation |
| Impact Studio | Creative studio-based WIL experience. Work on sustainability problems posed by local organisations in a multi-disciplinary collaborative environment. | University of Waikato campus |
| Professional Experience | Supervised practical teaching experience required as part of teacher education programmes. | School or education setting |
| Work Experience | Observe and participate in workplace activities, explore a profession and develop practical skills. | Partner organisation |
| Work Placement | Structured placement within an organisation, where you undertake agreed tasks and responsibilities with learning objectives. | Partner organisation |
| Work-related Project | Project completed as part of your studies in partnership with an external organisation. May work individually or as part of a group. | University campus, with external input |
Key people in your Work-Integrated Learning experience
Several people support you through your WIL experience. It helps to know who does what before you start.
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| WIL Advisor | Main University of Waikato point of contact throughout your WIL experience, likely your school contact. |
| WIL Academic | Lecturer or Convenor who manages your WIL paper and is responsible for grading your assessments. |
| Partner Organisation | External organisation or workplace where you undertake your WIL experience. |
| Partner Contact | Main point of contact at the organisation where you do your WIL. This is someone directly involved in your placement such as a workplace mentor. |
Meet our career finder
Not sure what to study? Start with the career you want. See the pay, what the job involves, and which of our qualifications will get you there.
Work-Integrated Learning at Te Puia
Work-Integrated Learning is an essential and exciting part of your degree programme. Listen to Manaia Lewis-Wano talk about her WIL placement experience at Te Puia.
Contact us
Contact the WIL Advisor in your school first otherwise these contacts can help if you require further support.