The University of Hertfordshire's new medical school in Hatfield has welcomed its inaugural students for a five-year bachelor degree, marking the county's first such institution. It aims to recruit up to 70 international students per year, with the first intake including individuals from Australia, Canada, the US, the UAE and Zimbabwe. The school opened a year early to help address a regional doctor shortage, with 2.5 doctors per 1,000 people in the East of England compared to 3.2 nationally. Students will undertake placements at local hospitals and GP practices, and the program plans to include UK-funded students in future years, according to BBC.