Work integrated learning (WIL) is mostly discussed as an educa¬tional approach that requires students to leave school and enter work practice. There are, however, other conceptions of WIL that also include transfer of experiences from the workplace to the classroom. It can be argued, therefore, that WIL, seen as a pedagogical philosophy and not only as a way of organizing education, must also affect and influence instructional design in the classroom. One common way of implementing WIL in higher education is through case studies and case teaching. The author believes that in order to advance the case method in general, and as a vehicle for WIL-related instruction in particular, it is necessary to look at the case method in relation to different perspectives on learning and knowledge. He also believes that it is necessary to relate it to research that focuses on the transition of knowledge from education to working life. Furthermore, he would like to initiate a theoretical discussion of the implications for case design that are raised by WIL as a pedagogical philosophy. Such a discussion involves the relation between theory and practice where the notions of context, authenticity and transferability of experiences are especially relevant. This paper is intended as an initial effort to outline what such an approach might entail and how the praxis of both the case method and of WIL could benefit from a firmer grounding in the pedagogical perspectives and research of today.