Hertfordshire Medical School to train next generation of doctors
During a recent visit, the General Medical Council (GMC) - who, using strict criteria, are responsible for accrediting new medical schools in the UK - praised the University’s strong strategic vision, curriculum design and governance structures. They also commended the institution for its good engagement with clinical placement partnerships and highlighted its foundation in interprofessional education is progressing well.
This means the University is on track to launch its five-year Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) programme next September 2026. In its initial phase, the programme will admit up to 70 international students annually - placing the University among a select group of UK institutions recognised for delivering high-quality medical education.
This landmark development also represents a significant advancement for healthcare education in the region. Students of the new Hertfordshire Medical School will study alongside peers from the University’s acclaimed programmes in nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, and pharmacy - benefiting from a dynamic, interprofessional learning environment that mirrors the collaborative nature of modern healthcare.
In alignment with the Government’s 10-Year Health and Social Care Workforce Plan - which seeks to address NHS staffing shortages nationwide - the school also intends to recruit UK fee-paying students, subject to government approval and future decisions on the expansion of medical school places.
Professor Mairi Watson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, said:
“The General Medical Council’s screening visit marks a pivotal moment in our history. I’m thrilled that we can now look forward to welcoming our first cohort of student doctors in 2026.
"This achievement reflects our long-standing excellence in health education, training, and research - and the incredible support we’ve received from our regional NHS partners, all united in our mission to improve healthcare outcomes locally and beyond.
“Launching Hertfordshire Medical School further reinforces our commitment to shaping the future of healthcare and addressing critical workforce shortages - both in the UK and globally.”
Hertfordshire Medical School will be delivered in collaboration with City St George’s, University of London, and is strongly supported by a wide network of local NHS partners, including: Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Herts and West Essex Integrated Care Board, up to 30 GPs and local primary care networks.
This partnership-led model will offer students diverse and comprehensive clinical placements, embedding them within the communities they will ultimately serve. As a university nationally recognised for advancing social mobility, Hertfordshire is deeply committed to widening access to the medical profession. In line with the Royal College of Physicians’ calls for greater diversity and representation in medicine, Hertfordshire Medical School will champion inclusivity - ensuring the NHS workforce better reflects the communities it supports. Students will be encouraged to train in underserved areas, helping meet rising global demand for medical education and addressing healthcare gaps both in the UK and abroad.
Beyond expanding the future medical workforce, the new school will also unlock fresh research and funding opportunities across health, medicine, and life sciences. This will contribute not only to the health of people regionally, nationally, and globally, but also to the economic growth and innovation of the wider Hertfordshire region.