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University teaching has massively evolved in recent years, with increasing focus on the value of practical, experiential learning opportunities.
Embedding hands-on experience into degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level helps ensure students graduate with the right skills for career success, and this is true across a range of academic disciplines.
At the University of Hertfordshire, a Guardian Top 50 UK University, practical learning is at its core. On Hertfordshire Medical School's new five-year undergraduate Medicine degree – leading to a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) qualification – students will benefit from an optimal blend of lectures, group sessions and practical training.
Medical degrees that integrate extensive practical experience produce graduates who are more confident, adaptable, and ready to contribute from day one.
Early exposure to patients builds empathy and communication skills, while varied placements help students appreciate the full spectrum of healthcare, from acute hospital care to long-term management in the community.
Here are more reasons why this approach to teaching medicine makes all the difference.
Be the solution to urgent medical issues
As the healthcare sector evolves in response to technological advances, an ageing population, and the urgent need for more doctors, medical degrees that embed hands-on experience from the very first year are becoming essential.
The University of Hertfordshire, which ranks in the top 10 percent nationally for medical sciences according to the 2024 National Student Survey (NSS), ensures its graduates have the resilience and skillset required for these future challenges, thanks to the university’s strong NHS partnerships and cutting-edge facilities.
The need for more skilled medics is clear. Hertfordshire currently has just 0.5 GPs per 1,000 patients, well below the UK average of 2.8. The new medical school aligns with the NHS’s goal to double medical school places in England to 15,000 by 2031.
By training more doctors locally, the university aims to improve patient access to primary care and bolster the regional healthcare workforce.
Build skills only the real world can teach you
At its core, medicine is a practical profession, and the University of Hertfordshire’s programme is designed to reflect that reality.
Students will have an average of 20–25 contact hours each week, combining lectures, small group sessions, and clinical teaching. Learning will be active and collaborative, with regular opportunities for peer interaction, problem-solving, and reflective practice. These are all skills vital to effective patient care and can’t be taught through theory alone.
From day one, students at the University of Hertfordshire encounter real patients. Early clinical placements ensure that even first-year students begin developing the confidence and communication skills essential for working in healthcare.
These placements take place across the East of England, providing exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.
This approach not only strengthens clinical skills but also increases the likelihood that graduates will choose to remain in the region, supporting local NHS services.
Benefit from a curriculum that grows with you
The five-year programme is carefully structured to combine theoretical foundations with increasing clinical responsibility.
The first two years focus on the core sciences (anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry) alongside case-based learning and early patient contact. Students begin to link biological knowledge to clinical practice, an approach proven to deepen understanding and retention.
The next three years build on these foundations through more complex cases and extensive placements in hospitals, community settings and specialist services.
Students can explore areas of interest, take on greater responsibility in patient care, and work closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Practical learning at the University of Hertfordshire is also enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities in the newly refurbished Hertfordshire Medical School building.
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools will allow students to practise complex procedures in a safe, simulated environment before applying their skills in clinical settings. These innovations reflect a broader shift in medical education, where digital tools complement hands-on patient care.
As the University of Hertfordshire’s new medical school demonstrates, practical learning is a commitment to producing doctors who can meet the healthcare needs of tomorrow. In an era of unprecedented demand for medical professionals, that commitment has never been more vital.
As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
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Why practical learning is important when studying medicine
Craig OCallaghan
Updated Oct 16, 2025Save
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Sponsored by the University of Hertfordshire
University teaching has massively evolved in recent years, with increasing focus on the value of practical, experiential learning opportunities.
Embedding hands-on experience into degrees at both undergraduate and postgraduate level helps ensure students graduate with the right skills for career success, and this is true across a range of academic disciplines.
At the University of Hertfordshire, a Guardian Top 50 UK University, practical learning is at its core. On Hertfordshire Medical School's new five-year undergraduate Medicine degree – leading to a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) qualification – students will benefit from an optimal blend of lectures, group sessions and practical training.
Medical degrees that integrate extensive practical experience produce graduates who are more confident, adaptable, and ready to contribute from day one.
Early exposure to patients builds empathy and communication skills, while varied placements help students appreciate the full spectrum of healthcare, from acute hospital care to long-term management in the community.
Here are more reasons why this approach to teaching medicine makes all the difference.
Be the solution to urgent medical issues
As the healthcare sector evolves in response to technological advances, an ageing population, and the urgent need for more doctors, medical degrees that embed hands-on experience from the very first year are becoming essential.
The University of Hertfordshire, which ranks in the top 10 percent nationally for medical sciences according to the 2024 National Student Survey (NSS), ensures its graduates have the resilience and skillset required for these future challenges, thanks to the university’s strong NHS partnerships and cutting-edge facilities.
The need for more skilled medics is clear. Hertfordshire currently has just 0.5 GPs per 1,000 patients, well below the UK average of 2.8. The new medical school aligns with the NHS’s goal to double medical school places in England to 15,000 by 2031.
By training more doctors locally, the university aims to improve patient access to primary care and bolster the regional healthcare workforce.
Build skills only the real world can teach you
At its core, medicine is a practical profession, and the University of Hertfordshire’s programme is designed to reflect that reality.
Students will have an average of 20–25 contact hours each week, combining lectures, small group sessions, and clinical teaching. Learning will be active and collaborative, with regular opportunities for peer interaction, problem-solving, and reflective practice. These are all skills vital to effective patient care and can’t be taught through theory alone.
From day one, students at the University of Hertfordshire encounter real patients. Early clinical placements ensure that even first-year students begin developing the confidence and communication skills essential for working in healthcare.
These placements take place across the East of England, providing exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings.
This approach not only strengthens clinical skills but also increases the likelihood that graduates will choose to remain in the region, supporting local NHS services.
Benefit from a curriculum that grows with you
The five-year programme is carefully structured to combine theoretical foundations with increasing clinical responsibility.
The first two years focus on the core sciences (anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry) alongside case-based learning and early patient contact. Students begin to link biological knowledge to clinical practice, an approach proven to deepen understanding and retention.
The next three years build on these foundations through more complex cases and extensive placements in hospitals, community settings and specialist services.
Students can explore areas of interest, take on greater responsibility in patient care, and work closely with multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Practical learning at the University of Hertfordshire is also enhanced by state-of-the-art facilities in the newly refurbished Hertfordshire Medical School building.
Virtual reality and artificial intelligence tools will allow students to practise complex procedures in a safe, simulated environment before applying their skills in clinical settings. These innovations reflect a broader shift in medical education, where digital tools complement hands-on patient care.
As the University of Hertfordshire’s new medical school demonstrates, practical learning is a commitment to producing doctors who can meet the healthcare needs of tomorrow. In an era of unprecedented demand for medical professionals, that commitment has never been more vital.
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As Head of Content, Craig is responsible for all articles and guides published across TopUniversities and TopMBA. He has nearly 10 years of experience writing for a student audience and extensive knowledge of universities and study programs around the world.
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