Workplace experience - work integrated learning in AUT programmes
Many AUT degrees include work integrated learning, a chance for students to complete workplace experience in an industry organisation, apply what they’ve learnt in the classroom and make valuable industry connections. This section covers how work integrated learning works, and how to find the right placement for you.
What is work integrated learning?
Work integrated learning is where your learning takes place in a workplace or an organisation, and you gain real-life experience alongside your academic studies. In most cases, your work integrated learning counts towards the academic requirements of your AUT qualification.
It's much more than just work experience – it’s a partnership between the student, an industry organisation and AUT to create collaborative learning opportunities through the exchange of ideas and experiences. You combine what you’ve learnt in the classroom at AUT with your experiences in the workplace; giving you valuable skills for your career.
Work integrated learning opportunities vary depending on which programme you’re studying at AUT.
They can include:
- Cooperative education – for example in the Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Sport and Recreation
- Work placement or practical experience – including:
- Clinical placements in health degrees
- Work placements in the hospitality, tourism and event management programmes
- Internships or work experience in a field related to your major or study
- Special industry projects with a supervisor or mentor
You can undertake a wide variety of work placements where you can experience the complexity of the real world, apply your classroom learning to real situations and problems, and develop professional skills in a real-life environment.
When you complete your workplace experience depends on what programme you’re studying at AUT.
You could complete placements:
- Throughout your qualification, for example in the health science degrees
- In your final year of study, for example in the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Business
In many AUT programmes you do your work integrated learning as part of a specific course in your degree. For example, if you’re studying the Bachelor of International Hospitality Management, you complete your workplace experience when you’re enrolled in the course HOSP797 Hospitality and Tourism Work Integrated Learning.
In most cases, work integrated learning counts towards your academic credits that make up your qualification. More information on this can be found in your programme handbook or in the AUT Calendar.
The length of your placement and how many hours of work integrated learning you need to do per week depends on what programme you’re studying at AUT.
For example, in some programmes students need to work at least 300 hours over a 12-15 week period. In the Bachelor of Business you work full-time (360 hours, 40 hours per week including breaks) over a nine-week period. In other programmes, you have a shorter placement and need to complete fewer hours of work integrated learning.
To find out the specific work integrated learning requirements for your programme talk to your programme team.
It’s important that the organisation you complete your work integrated learning with is approved by your AUT school or faculty. Each programme will have a different process and criteria to determine what organisations are suitable.
Organisations generally should:
- Be relevant to the programme and subject you’re studying
- Be regarded as reputable
- Have the resources you need to do your placement safely and effectively
- Be approved by your AUT school or faculty as your work integrated learning host organisation
This can include big corporates, small and medium enterprises, not for profit organisations as well as family-run organisations. Placements in health programmes will have specific health sector organisations like hospitals that are appropriate.
To find out what organisations are suitable for your programme talk to your programme team.
Mentoring is a key component of work integrated learning. During your workplace experience you’ll be assigned a supervisor or mentor in the organisation where you’re placed.
There are two parts to mentoring:
- Overseeing you in the workplace and giving you the proper guidance on what is expected of you during your placement
- Providing you with ongoing constructive feedback and discussing your specific tasks
Brief weekly meetings between you and your placement mentor are encouraged.
Thinking about finding the right organisation or opportunity for your work integrated learning can be daunting. Don’t worry; here are some tips to make the process easy:
Start thinking about your work integrated learning early
Start planning early. Think about:
- What type of placement you would like to complete
- What kind of organisation you’d like to be placed in
- What would best support your future career aspirations
In most cases, it’s up to students to identify and find their own work integrated learning placement or project, but some placements may be organised by your AUT school or faculty.
Tips and ideas on how to find the right opportunity
AUT has lots of great ways for you to meet industry contacts and explore opportunities while you're studying with us:
- Attend information sessions and drop-in sessions run by your AUT school or faculty
- Attend career expos, employer presentations and other events
- Visit the AUT Employability Lab on campus or check out Elab Online
- Talk to your work integrated learning leader for your programme
Workplace experience is a key component of many AUT programmes, especially our bachelor’s degrees. Some postgraduate programmes also include work integrated learning.
In addition to the list below, some other AUT programmes may also include the option to complete workplace experience as part of your study, depending on your chosen courses or subject you’re specialising in.
Undergraduate programmes
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Business
- Bachelor of Computer and Information Sciences
- Bachelor of Construction
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
- Bachelor of Engineering Technology
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
- Bachelor of International Hospitality Management
- Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
- Bachelor of Science
- Bachelor of Sport, Exercise and Health
- Diploma in Paramedic Science
- Diploma in Pâtisserie
- Graduate Diploma in Psychotherapy Studies
Postgraduate programmes
- Master of Construction Management
- Master of Nursing Science
- Master of Physiotherapy Practice
- Master of Sport, Exercise and Health
- Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology
Study Abroad programme for international students
Benefits of work integrated learning
By completing workplace experience you get:
- Industry experience related to your area of study
- Feedback and support from the industry people you’re working with and from AUT
- Valuable contacts in your industry
- Future career opportunities and potential job offers
- A chance to put theory into practice
What our students say

Dilon Kumar

Liam Morell

Ella Agnew

Rachel Suesue

Mohamed Abdulkadir Mohamed

Angie Sun

India Rose Gallagher

Erin Marander-Higgins

Natasha Wadia
Programme-specific information
Each AUT faculty and school has different processes and information for work integrated learning. It’s important that you find out about the processes for your programme.
Current AUT students can:
- Talk to AUT programme staff
- Check Canvas
- Visit our web pages if you're studying:
To prepare visit Elab Online
AUT students can visit Elab Online to book and attend employability events to meet industry contacts, and make an appointment with our specialist team to get ready for work integrated learning, including finding placements, CV checks and interview coaching.
It’s easy to log in – just choose ‘Current student’ and enter your AUT student ID number and password.
Contact us
Current AUT students
If you’re studying at AUT and have a question about workplace experience in your programme, get in touch with your faculty.
Employers
Want to offer workplace experience to AUT students? Contact us to find students for a placements