Accessibility Quick Links

Site Search

Sign in access

Breadcrumbs

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at WMS

Developing New Zealand's best business graduate talent

At Waikato Management School, we pride ourselves on preparing our students to thrive in the workplace by developing their applied skills in business, critical thinking, innovation, and communication.

We offer two different options for work-integrated learning (WIL) papers - either the 396 internship or the 399 research project - which are a compulsory practical aspect of the BBus, BMS(Hons) and BC degrees.

The best paper for you will depend on your personality and personal strengths.

WIL information session

We recently hosted a WIL information session which you can watch here.

The 396 provides students with exciting opportunities to undertake a real-world project for a business. Students are immersed in the business to conduct research and present solutions for fixing a problem. In some instances, students are also responsible for implementing their recommended solutions.

The project you undertake will provide you with an opportunity to combine your learning so far at university. The report you complete for the organisation makes up a significant part of your assessed component.

In some cases, students undertake a variety of work tasks for the organisation, rather than a single project.

Which paper should I enrol in?
  • WSAFE396: Choose this paper if you are majoring in Accounting, Agribusiness, Finance or Economics.
  • WSOMM396: Choose this paper if you are majoring in Digital Business, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management, or Tourism and Hospitality Management.
The Facts:

How long is it?

The 396 requires students to complete a total of 110 hours at a host organisation. Most internships are between 10 and 17 weeks' duration.

How do I enrol?

Students should have completed 240 points, including 120 points above Level 1 before enrolling into this paper. Add the relevant internship paper by submitting a change of enrolment in MyWaikato. Before starting the paper, you will need to have your internship approved through MyWIL.

What counts as an internship?

You need to be working on a project or series of work tasks that directly relate to your degree studies.

Where can I apply for an internship?

You can apply for one of our internship opportunities in MyWIL.

Internship opportunities are advertised in MyWIL one month before the start of a trimester. To apply, students need to be enrolled in the relevant WIL paper, select their top three preferences and upload their C.V.

Can I find my own?

Yes, you can. If you've found your own placement, you'll need to run it by us first to make sure it meets the requirements. You'll need to complete the Internship Proposal Form in MyWIL to get started. Check out this instructional video on how to submit an internship proposal form. Please make sure you do this at least a month before your WIL paper is due to start.

When does it start?

The 396 can be taken in A, B or C trimesters.

The 399 is a research project undertaken by a student with academic supervision. This project aims to solve a ‘problem’ and should be related to a company or industry that this might impact.

It provides students with the opportunity to complete a significant body of work with academic merit. Before undertaking a 399, students first need to discuss a topic that interests them with their supervisor or subject convener.

Which paper should I enrol in?
  • WSAFE399: Choose this paper if you are majoring in Accounting, Agribusiness, Finance or Economics.
  • WSOMM399: Choose this paper if you are majoring in Digital Business, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Strategic Management, Supply Chain Management, or Tourism and Hospitality Management.

The Facts

How do I come up with a topic?

Your topic should be an area related to your major subject that is of specific interest and relevant in some way to a specific business, industry or the wider business community. For further guidance in selecting a topic please consult with the convenor in your subject area (listed below).

How do I enrol?

Students should have completed 240 points, including 120 points above Level 1 before enrolling into this paper. You need to fill in a 399 proposal form in MyWIL, identifying your topic. Please make sure you do this at least a month before your WIL paper is due to start. When your proposal has been approved, you'll be allocated an academic supervisor.

How long is it?

Your enrolment period is a normal trimester. Revisions of the topic with your supervisor's help are included in the 17 weeks you have to complete the full report. Please note that your draft report should be submitted to your supervisor and a second assessor one month prior to this end date.

When does it start?

WSAFE399 can be taken in A, B or C trimesters.

WSOMM399 can be taken in A or B trimesters.

How do I enrol?

Add the relevant 399 paper by submitting a change of enrolment in MyWaikato. Before starting the paper, you will need to have your research proposal approved through MyWIL.

Who are the people to contact?

Talk to the relevant academic staff member below:

For questions, expressions of interest or further information please contact : [email protected]