In the shift to a more clearly economic imperative for universities than social good, the relationship between higher education teaching and professional practice has become increasingly apparent. It is seen in the courses offered by universities, and the relationship with employment and employers advocated by government and funding agencies. From a social realism perspective, this paper envisions all high-level vocational education as professional and discusses how an understanding of the phenomenology of practice could help to define how it might be structured and by whom it may be best delivered.