ABSTRACT
This case study outlines the curriculum design model used by the University of Derby that places equal emphasis on learning that takes place in the workplace and learning that takes place in the university, which includes learning in specialist spa facilities. Research at the University of Derby (Rawlinson, 2012) found that students on spa management degree programmes are better prepared for industry when their degree programme teaches them how to apply their knowledge in a spa context. The dominant logic of the model is that learning must be contextually focused and the teaching and learning strategy must include teaching students to transfer concepts and theories into practice. This then dictates that the teachers need to provide the strategies to affect that process. The central concept of the curriculum model is a sharing of knowledge between the university and industry.
