Before you start your WIL experience
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Get your documents ready
Sign into MyWIL (opens in a new tab)Have a current CV, LinkedIn profile and professional references if required. Complete your onboarding tasks and forms in MyWIL.
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Know the details
Know where your Work-Integrated Learning takes place and when it starts. Identify who to contact if you need help and what support is available.
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Have a plan
Set your learning goals and know what you would like to get from your Work-Integrated Learning experience.
WIL student guide and subject regulations
Student guide to Work-Integrated Learning (PDF, 800KB)
(opens in a new tab)Guide to support students through their Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placement, internship, or project.
Work-Integrated Learning subject regulations
View subject regulations for Work-Integrated Learning papers for your school. Talk to a Student Advisor in your area of study for course planning help.
Get started with work-integrated learning
We have a range of WIL papers across each school and qualification. For help with course planning talk to the WIL advisor in your school.
See below how each option works:
| Option | What it involves |
|---|---|
| Placement or internship | This is a hands-on, in-person experience with a host organisation. Be immersed in a workplace and meet the time commitments the paper requires. |
| Work-related project | You do not need to be located at the organisation. Depending on your degree, this can be completed as an individual project, group project, or class project. |
| Impact Studios | A programme with a focus on sustainable outcomes. Students from all areas of the university work together in teams on real challenges for organisations and communities. Learn more about Impact Studios. |
Explore the full list of WIL paper options.
It depends on your degree. You may:
- Be allocated a placement, internship or project
- Choose from a list of available opportunities
- Find your own WIL experience
Opportunities may also be listed on MyWIL, the University's Work-Integrated Learning platform.
Check your school's WIL information or contact your WIL adviser for course planning.
This depends on the paper and work involved. As a general guide:
- Placements can range from 60 to 400 hours depending on the paper.
- Some projects won't involve going to a workplace. You’ll attend class and keep in touch with the partner organisation by email.
Your WIL paper outline will confirm specific hours required for your course.
Yes, the WIL papers listed in your degree planner count towards your qualification. Papers are either 15 credits or 30 credits. In some cases, you may be able to take more than one WIL paper within your qualification.
Speak to your school's WIL advisor for help with course planning.
Yes, volunteering can count towards WIL. It will need to meet the following conditions:
- Be pre-approved before you start
- Relate directly to your degree
- Meet the learning outcomes of the paper, including time requirements and assessments.
Check with your school WIL advisor before committing to a volunteer role.
While on placement or engaging with a partner organisation, you represent the University of Waikato. The University expects you to maintain professionalism at all times and behave in a way that reflects well on both you and the University.
You will be asked to sign a student statement that covers:
- Adherence to the University Student Code of Conduct
- Intellectual property rights
- Confidentiality
- Responsibility for your own learning
- Attendance and assessment requirements
- Health and safety
- Engagement with the partner organisation's policies and guidelines
Yes, but your student visa must include one of these conditions for off-campus placements like internships and professional experience:
- Visa holder may work for practical experience related to the course
- Visa holder may work in any occupation for any employer for the purpose of meeting course requirements in New Zealand.
You need to check that your work rights cover your whole placement. This includes trimester breaks and holidays. You don’t need these conditions for work-related projects done on campus.
Check your visa details on the Immigration NZ website (opens in a new tab).
During your placement
This depends on the partner organisation and work involved. If you are unsure, dress formally on your first day or ask your Partner Contact before you start.
See the guide below:
| Setting | What is appropriate |
|---|---|
| Outdoor or active roles | Practical clothing such as shorts and a t-shirt or active wear |
| Corporate or clinical settings | Long pants, a shirt, jersey, or blazer |
| Anywhere with machinery or food | Always wear covered-toe shoes |
If you can’t attend your placement, tell your contact at the partner organisation and your WIL Advisor as soon as you can. Don’t just stay away without letting anyone know.
Letting people know early shows you’re professional. It also means everyone knows what’s happening.
Yes. It’s normal to feel a mix of emotions on placement, from excited to anxious. A workplace is very different from lectures and tutorials. You’re meeting new people, learning how things work, and juggling tasks and expectations all at once.
Study, part-time work and life outside uni can add to the pressure.
Tip: Write down everything you need to fit into your week. Include placement hours, classes, work shifts and personal commitments. Then block out time for each one. Seeing it all written down makes it easier to manage.
It depends on the organisation and what roles they have available. Ask your partner contact if you can stay on. Check whether it would be paid employment or a voluntary position before you agree.
If they say no, you can ask why. A no now doesn’t mean never. Their feedback can help you prepare for other opportunities.
It depends. If the task links to your learning goals, it could be worth doing, even if it wasn’t in the original plan.
If the task makes you uncomfortable or feels outside what you agreed to, it’s okay to say no. You can also check with your school's WIL Advisor before you agree.
Talk to your contact at the partner organisation, your school’s WIL Advisor or your WIL academic supervisor. You don’t have to deal with it on your own.
If you don’t feel comfortable raising it with the organisation or your WIL Advisor, contact the WIL Central Unit at wilcu@waikato.ac.nz.
Enrolment and support
Once enrolled in your WIL paper you will get access to MyWIL (opens in a new tab). Complete the following forms in order:
- Placement proposal form: confirms your placement details including dates, hours, location, and supervisor.
- Placement agreement form: your partner organisation needs to sign this.
- Student statement form: your commitment to the course.
- Health and Safety form: covering induction, emergency procedures, and relevant policies.
You also need to complete the compulsory Risk Awareness Module on Moodle before you begin your placement.
Yes. If something outside your control has seriously affected your WIL experience, talk to your WIL academic and your school's WIL Advisor.
Read about the process in the University of Waikato Assessment Regulations.
Both people support your WIL experience, but they do different things.
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| WIL Advisor | Your main contact at the University of Waikato during your placement. They support you day to day. |
| WIL Academic | Runs your WIL paper. They mark your work and give your final grade. |