Our clinical programmes have limited spaces for placements. All applicants will go through an in-depth selection process and only a limited pool of applicants will be selected.
It is important you take the time to consider your referees and personal statement carefully as these form a large part of the selection criteria. We only have one intake per year, so we strongly recommend that you apply to multiple institutes to avoid disappointment if you are not selected for a place in our programme.
Clinical programmes
The University of Waikato offers the following clinical programmes:
The Application Process
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Application to enrol to be completed online
During your application to enrol you will be asked to provide:
1. A personal statement
2. The details of two referees
3. A New Zealand Police vetting form and two forms of ID (if you have lived in New Zealand for six months or more)
4. International Police vetting if you have lived overseas for at least 12 months in the last 7 years
5. CV (for Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) only)For Master of Pharmacy Practice and Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) only: You will be required to book an interview after your application is assessed.
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Applications close
Please see the relevant qualification page linked above for closure dates. Late applications will not be accepted.
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Selection Committee meets
Selection of applicants is based on both academic background and suitability for clinical programmes. All applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Our Selection Committee will review all applicants that have provided the required documentation before the closure date. Students will be assessed based on the information provided during their application and their referee reports.
For the Midwifery and Pharmacy programmes, you will be asked to attend an interview with a panel of clinical academic staff to assess your suitability for these programmes.
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Decisions on selection made and communicated
We intend to update all applicants with our decisions within two months after applications close. Applicants will be informed of one of the following outcomes:
a) Will be offered a place on the programme, or
b) Will be placed on the waitlist, or
c) Will not be issued an offer.Please remember we have limited spaces and large numbers of applicants and some strong applicants may miss out on a place on the programme.
Some applicants will be offered places, conditional on their NCEA results, other academic results, or English. Any additional requirements will be communicated in full at the time.
Tips when applying
Personal Statement
You are required to submit a personal statement with your online application. We strongly recommend that you take the time to write an amazing student statement. Make sure you stand out: Who are you? Why would your background make you a great applicant? What makes you passionate about working in this field?
The statement should include a paragraph on each of the following:
- Outline why you want to become a Nurse/Pharmacist/Midwife,
- Describe any personal qualities or aspects of your life experience that could enhance your application,
- Detail your commitment to the programme and attending clinical placements (which will include travel to the greater Waikato area),
- Any support you have behind you to help you achieve your goal.
Referees
Part of the online application to enrol is providing the details of two referees who will complete referee reports.
Good choices can include:
- A teacher who knows you well
- Sports/Drama coach/Youth group leader
- An employer
Make sure it is not a partner, close friend or relative!
Handy hint: We send a virtual form to your referees once your application is submitted, so let them know to keep an eye on their inbox and spam folder!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, applications for the following year must be received in full by the closing date. Please see the relevant qualification page for closure dates.
Yes, there are a few additional costs associated with completing a programme with Clinical Placements:
Nursing:
- Students are required to provide proof of immunisations which can sometimes include serologies at the student’s expense.
- Students are required to wear a uniform on placement (tunic and pants) at their cost. Black close-toed shoes also required. $150 approx.
- A nursing equipment pack including scissors and a stethoscope are required. $110 approx.
- Costs for travel to and from your clinical placements.
Midwifery placements:
- Students are required to provide proof of immunisations which can sometimes include serologies at the student’s expense.
- Students are required to wear a uniform on placement at their cost.
- Costs for travel to and from your clinical placement.
Pharmacy placements:
- Students are required to provide proof of immunisations which can sometimes include serologies at the student’s expense.
- Students are required to wear a uniform on placement at their cost.
- Costs for travel to and from your clinical placements.
More information about purchasing the above items will be provided once students are enrolled.
The Bachelor of Nursing is only open to domestic students.
The Master of Nursing Practice has spaces for a limited number of international students.
The Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) is not open to international students.
The Master of Pharmacy Practice has spaces for a limited number of international students in 2026.
If you have lived overseas in the last 7 years for 12 months or more, you will need to provide international police vetting.
For Nursing and Pharmacy, the placements can be anywhere in the Waikato region, meaning that you will need to be able to travel to the location you are assigned. You are unable to choose your placement location or times.
For Midwifery, if you have a placement outside the Waikato region in mind, we may be able to accommodate this. You will need to speak to the Head of Midwifery to discuss this as an option - please contact us and we will connect you with them.
Bachelor of Nursing:
Dependent on spaces available, we may be able to take students from other New Zealand institutions into year 2 of the Bachelor of Nursing. We accept very few transfer students, so it is important that you make alternate arrangements in case you are not accepted into our programme. If you are a nursing student from another institution wishing to transfer into the Bachelor of Nursing at Waikato, you will need to outline the reason for the transfer in your student statement and provide an academic transcript from your current provider along with a reference from the Head of School and the number of clinical hours you have completed.
We do not accept transfers into our Master of Nursing Practice, Master of Pharmacy Practice nor Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery).
Nursing – Yes, both of our programmes are pre-registration programmes. This means that you will get the placement hours and knowledge to sit the state exam and apply to register as a nurse in New Zealand.
Pharmacy – We are registered with the Pharmacy Council. Our programme will allow you to apply as an Intern Pharmacist. After completing and passing the Intern Training Programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a Pharmacist.
Midwifery - Graduates of the Master of Clinical Practice (Midwifery) will be eligible to apply for registration with the Midwifery Council. Graduates who begin working as midwives in New Zealand will be required to complete the Midwifery First Year of Practice (MFYP) programme administered by the New Zealand College of Midwives. This requirement is the same as that for graduates of the existing Bachelors pre-registration midwifery programmes.
Contact details
If you have any questions or need help, please contact us.