Welcome from the Dean of the School of Life and Medical Sciences

Dr Richard Southern

This is a School of Science, but a very diverse one. What links everything we study here, from town planning to optometry, is applied science. That means we take what we learn and use it to bring something useful to society.

We’re also a highly research-intensive school, with more than 300 research and post-doctoral students. This is important for our undergraduate students because everything you’ll be taught here is informed by up to date, cutting-edge research.

We put you, the student, first in everything we do. We want to make sure we are giving you the best possible journey on your way to gaining a high graduate-level job. You can study abroad and take part in experiments in our research labs on summer placements.

Having so many major pharmaceutical companies located near the University means great placements at GSK, Syngenta, DuPont, while our graduates work for companies such as Affinity Water, Eisai, Boots and the NHS. It seems to me Hertfordshire County Council’s transport unit is staffed entirely by Herts graduates! The Hertfordshire Science Partnership, pioneered by the University, also links us to many companies. Our graduate employment rate is exceptionally high.

My specialism is in geopolitics and I still teach and research – I guard fiercely the one day a week I am allowed to be a scholar! As Dean, it’s also important to me that this is a supportive and inclusive School. Our drop-in Academic Support Unit is there to help you academically and pastorally, while all students have a personal tutor throughout their time with us.

You’ll also benefit from state of the art labs and specialist suites. Our simulation centre enables you to learn in a real-life setting – we have mocked-up wards, an optician’s and a pharmacy.

Our Sports Injury Clinic also provides hands-on learning. It’s a drop-in centre run by students who, supervised by an academic, also work with local sports clubs. For our geographers and biologists, our field centre at Bayfordbury offers fantastic opportunities. It has everything from a nationally important pinetum to a slow worm conservation unit - we even produce our own honey from the University apiary!