Masters Degrees in Actuarial Science

This course is designed for graduates of quantitative disciplines who want to kick-start a career in actuary. It provides a solid foundation in statistics, financial mathematics, economics and business finance. Upon completion of the course, your knowledge and skills could be applied to a range of industries in the financial services such as insurance, pensions, healthcare, banking, investment and risk assessment.

You will be equipped with mathematical and statistical knowledge and problem-solving skills to help businesses and institutions evaluate the long-term financial implications of the decisions they make. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a minor dissertation involving the study of a number of problems specific to the insurance and financial sector.

The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries has approved programme-level exemption status for the MSc programme in Actuarial Science at UCC in respect of their first 8 Core Technical subjects. Students may be recommended for exemption from the Institute’s own professional examinations in up to 7 of these Core Technical subjects by performing sufficiently well in the corresponding examinations of the MSc programme. UCC is one of the very few universities in Ireland which can offer students the potential to receive this level of exemptions from the professional actuarial examinations.

Visit the website: http://www.ucc.ie/en/ckr46/

Course detail

This is exciting course allows you to kick-start your career in actuary. It has similar core technical coverage to UCC’s very successful undergraduate course, which, over the last number of years, has achieved close to 100% employment. Graduates of this course are expected to also have no difficulty in gaining employment.

Format

The teaching methods used will be a combination of lectures, tutorials, computer practicals and directed study. You can expect to have approximately 22 hours per week of lectures, tutorials and directed study in semesters 1 and 2 and about 10 hours per week of directed study in semester 3.

Part 1

- Core modules (50 credits) -

PA6007 Market Analysis Methods for Actuarial Science (10 credits)
ST6001 Theory of Annuities - Certain for Actuarial Science (10 credits)
ST6002 Applied Financial Reporting Methods for Actuarial Science (10 credits)
ST6003 Probability & Mathematical Statistics for Actuarial Science (10 credits)
ST6004 Mortality Studies and Life Table Analysis for Actuarial Science (10 credits)

- Elective Modules (10 credits) -

ST6006 Insurance Risk Modelling for Actuarial Science (10 credits)
or
ST6010 Current Topics in Statistical Applications to Actuarial Science (10 credits).

*Were a student to enter the programme with sufficient background knowledge, as determined by the programme co-ordinator, in one of the above core modules, then that student would take both electives specified.

Part II

- Core module (20 credits) -

ST6009 Application of Core Technical Research Methodologies in Actuarial Science (20 credits)

- Elective modules (10 credits) -

ST6005 Life Contingencies for Actuarial Science (10 credits)
or
ST6008 Applied Financial Modelling and Risk Stochastics for Actuarial Science (10 credits)

Part-time students take modules ST6001, ST6003 and PA6007 in Year 1 and the remaining modules, including electives where appropriate, in Year 2.

Assessment

All taught modules in this course are assessed via a combination of end-of-module examination and submission of a portfolio of research and directed study.

For actuarial exemption purposes, the appointed actuarial independent examiner will base their recommendations for an exemption in the corresponding CT subject, on a student's performance in the final examination

For the research module (ST6009), you will study a number of problems, specific to the insurance and financial sector, and use the methodologies developed in the earlier modules to analyse such problems and produce oral and written reports on your work.

Careers

An actuarial qualification gives an excellent grounding in subjects like economics, finance, mathematics, and statistics, as well as the more actuarial subjects. This makes actuarial graduates suitable for a range of careers, not just actuarial work.

How to apply: http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/how/

Funding and Scholarships

Information regarding funding and available scholarships can be found here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/cblgradschool/current/fundingandfinance/fundingscholarships/

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Actuaries evaluate and manage financial risk. They make financial sense of the future for their clients by applying advanced mathematical and statistical techniques to solve complex financial problems.

Qualifying as an actuary is a passport to a wide variety of careers in insurance companies, investments, pensions, health care and banking – not just in the UK, but throughout the world. Kent is one of a very few universities in the UK to teach the subject.

Our Postgraduate Diploma (PDip) in Actuarial Science, MSc in Applied Actuarial Science and International Master’s are all fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries; they also provide a fast-track route to qualifying as an actuary, because students who achieve a high enough overall mark in these programmes can obtain exemptions from the professional examinations included within their studies.

This PDip in Actuarial Science programme gives you the opportunity to gain exemptions from eight of the Core Technical subjects (CT1 to CT8) of the professional examinations and provides you with a firm foundation for the later subjects. If you perform well enough on this course to obtain the full set of exemptions available, you could reduce your time to qualify as an actuary by three years or more.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/1/actuarial-science

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.

MA319 - Probability and Statistics for Actuarial Science (15 credits)
MA501 - Statistics for Insurance (15 credits)
MA529 - Probability and Statistics for Actuarial Science 2 (15 credits)
MA639 - Time Series Modelling and Simulation (15 credits)
MA816 - Contingencies 1 (15 credits)
MA817 - Contingencies 2 (15 credits)
MA819 - Business Economics (15 credits)
MA820 - Financial Mathematics (15 credits)
MA825 - Survival Models (15 credits)
MA826 - Finance & Financial Reporting (15 credits)
MA835 - Portfolio Theory and Asset Pricing Models (15 credits)
MA836 - Stochastic Processes (15 credits)
MA837 - Mathematics of Financial Derivatives (15 credits)
MA840 - Financial Modelling (15 credits)

Assessment

Assessment is usually by a mixture of coursework and examination; exact weightings vary from module to module.

- Accreditation
Students who are considered to have performed sufficiently well in the programme (both in examinations and coursework), as determined by an examiner appointed by the UK Actuarial Profession, will be exempt from all the CT subjects studied within the programme. If a student fails to achieve a suitable overall standard, they might still be awarded individual module exemptions as recommended by the Profession’s examiner. Please note that individual exemptions are granted based on the final written examinations only.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

- give you the depth of technical appreciation and skills appropriate to a Master’s level programme in actuarial science

- provide successful students with eligibility for subject exemptions from the Core Technical series of examinations of the actuarial profession. This means obtaining a thorough knowledge and understanding of various core actuarial techniques and gaining current knowledge and understanding of the practice of some of the major areas in which actuaries are involved

- ensure you are competent in the use of information technology, and are familiar with computers, together with the relevant software

- introduce you to an appreciation of recent actuarial developments, and of the links between subject theories and their practical application in industry

- prepare you for employment within the actuarial profession and other financial fields

- provide suitable preparation for students who wish to proceed to the MSc in Applied Actuarial Science.

Research areas

- Genetics and insurance risks

Advances in human genetics, and medical sciences in general, have led to many gene discoveries; a number of single-gene disorders have been successfully identified and studied in detail. Researchers are now increasingly focusing on common multifactorial genetic disorders such as cancer, heart attack and stroke, caused by interaction of genes and environmental factors. It is important for the insurance industry to understand the full implications of these latest developments. First, can an insurer justify charging different premium rates to different risk groups? Second, if insurers are not allowed to discriminate between individuals based on their genes, by regulation or by law, is there a risk of adverse selection?

- Economic capital and financial risk management

Financial services firms are in the business of accepting risks on behalf of their customers. Customers do not always have the time or expertise to handle financial risks on their own, so they pass these on to financial services firms. However, even the most reputable firms can sometimes get it wrong, so it is fundamentally important for all stakeholders that financial services firms hold an appropriate amount of capital calculated on a robust scientific basis, to back the risks they are running. Economic capital can provide answers by specifying a unifying approach to calculating risk-based capital for any firm in the financial services sector.

From a public policy perspective, regulators and governments face the dilemma of whether to regulate against genetic underwriting or to allow market economies to take their own course. On one hand, there is a moral obligation not to discriminate against individuals for their genetic make-up. On the other hand, risk of adverse selection against insurance firms cannot be ruled out altogether. Maintaining an appropriate balance between the two is key.

Careers

- The UK Actuarial Profession

The UK Actuarial Profession is small, but influential and well rewarded. There are more than 6,500 actuaries currently employed in the UK, the majority of whom work in insurance companies and consultancy practices.

Survey results published by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries suggest that the average basic salary for a student actuary is £36,842 with pay and bonuses increasingly sharply as you become more experienced. The average basic salary of a Chief Actuary is £209,292.

As an actuary, your work is extremely varied and can include: advising companies on the amount of funds to set aside for employee pension payments; designing new insurance policies and setting premium rates; pricing financial derivatives and working in fund management and quantitative investment research; advising life insurance companies on he distribution of surplus funds; and estimating the effects of possible major disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, and setting premium rates for insurance against such disasters. For more information about the actuarial profession, see http://www.actuaries.org.uk

- Employability support

Helping our students to develop strong employability skills is a key objective within the School and the University. We provide a wide range of services and support to equip you with transferable vocational skills that enable you to secure appropriate professional positions within industry. Within the School we run specialist seminars and provide advice on creating a strong CV, making job applications and successfully attending interviews and assessment centres.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the actuarial, finance, insurance and risk sectors.

Professional recognition

Offers exemptions from subjects CT1 to CT8 of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries professional examinations, with the option to take further subjects for exemption purposes.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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Actuaries evaluate and manage financial risk. They make financial sense of the future for their clients by applying advanced mathematical and statistical techniques to solve complex financial problems.

Qualifying as an actuary is a passport to a wide variety of careers in insurance companies, investments, pensions, health care and banking – not just in the UK, but throughout the world. Kent is one of a very few universities in the UK to teach the subject.

Our MSc in Applied Actuarial Science is fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries; it also provides a fast-track route to qualifying as an actuary, because students who achieve a high enough overall mark in this programme can obtain exemptions from the professional examinations included within their studies.

The MSc is available as a full-time (one-year) or part-time (two-year) programme and is suitable for those who have completed a first degree or postgraduate diploma in Actuarial Science, or those who have studied the majority of the earlier subjects in the Core Technical Stage subjects.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/174/applied-actuarial-science

About the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (SMSAS)

The School has a strong reputation for world-class research and a well-established system of support and training, with a high level of contact between staff and research students. Postgraduate students develop analytical, communication and research skills.

In 2010, the Centre for Actuarial Science, Risk and Investment (CASRI) was set up within SMSAS to reflect the widening scope of the teaching and research of the staff. Areas of research interest include economic capital and risk management for financial services firms, mortality and longevity modelling, longevity indices and markets. Other research topics include genetics and insurance, insurance economics, pensions and corporate reporting.

The Centre includes 13 professionally qualified actuaries with many years’ practical experience in insurance and pensions, and who maintain excellent links with the actuarial profession.

Course structure

The course is based on a ‘core modules plus options’ structure and exemptions can be gained from the following professional examinations in the Core Applications Stage and Specialist Technical Stage: CA1, CA3, ST2, ST4 to ST9. You can also choose the optional Financial Modelling modules, which prepare you for subject CA2 in the Core Applications Stage. Find out more about accreditation for this programme (http://www.kent.ac.uk/casri/Accreditation/index.html) and the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries examinations (http://www.actuaries.org.uk/students/pages/our-exams-explained).

You must take 180 credits in order to pass the MSc. If you take fewer than 180 credits, you may be eligible for the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Actuarial Science.

Modules

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This list is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take modules from other programmes so that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas that interest you.

MA909 - Enterprise Risk Management (30 credits)
MA912 - Life Insurance (30 credits)
MA914 - Pensions and Other Benefits (30 credits)
MA915 - Finance and Investment (30 credits)
MA916 - Derivative Securities (30 credits)
MA917 - General Insurance - Reserving and Capital Modelling (30 credits)
MA918 - General Insurance - Premium Rating (30 credits)
MA950 - Prophet (15 credits)
MA951 - Prophet 2 (15 credits)
MA952 - Financial Modelling (15 credits)
MA953 - Communications (15 credits)
MA921 - Actuarial Risk Management 1 (30 credits)
MA922 - Actuarial Risk Management 2 (30 credits)

Assessment

Assessment is usually by a mixture of coursework and examination; exact weightings vary from module to module.

- Accreditation
Students who are considered to have performed sufficiently well in the programme (both in examinations and coursework), as determined by an examiner appointed by the UK Actuarial Profession, will be exempt from subjects CA1, CA3 and the Specialist Technical subjects studied within the programme.

If you fail to achieve a suitable overall standard, you might still be awarded individual module exemptions as recommended by the Profession’s examiner. Please note that individual exemptions are granted based on the final written examinations only.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

- provide successful students with eligibility for subject exemptions from the Core Application and Specialist Technical series of examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. This means obtaining a thorough knowledge of core actuarial applications, developing the ability to apply this knowledge in a practical situation and gaining current knowledge and understanding of the practice of major areas in which actuaries are involved.

- develop your understanding, knowledge and awareness of current problems, much of which is at the forefront of current professional practice.

- ensure you are competent in the use of information technology, and are familiar with computers, together with the relevant software.

Careers

The UK Actuarial Profession

The UK Actuarial Profession is small, but influential and well rewarded. There are more than 6,500 actuaries currently employed in the UK, the majority of whom work in insurance companies and consultancy practices.

Survey results published by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (http://www.actuaries.org.uk/becoming-actuary/pages/what-can-actuary-earn) suggest that the average basic salary for a student actuary is £36,842 with pay and bonuses increasingly sharply as you become more experienced. The average basic salary of a Chief Actuary is £209,292.

As an actuary, your work is extremely varied and can include: advising companies on the amount of funds to set aside for employee pension payments; designing new insurance policies and setting premium rates; pricing financial derivatives and working in fund management and quantitative investment research; advising life insurance companies on he distribution of surplus funds; and estimating the effects of possible major disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, and setting premium rates for insurance against such disasters. For more information about the actuarial profession, see http://www.actuaries.org.uk

- Employability support

Helping our students to develop strong employability skills is a key objective within the School and the University. We provide a wide range of services and support to equip you with transferable vocational skills that enable you to secure appropriate professional positions within industry. Within the School we run specialist seminars and provide advice on creating a strong CV, making job applications and successfully attending interviews and assessment centres.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the actuarial, finance, insurance and risk sectors.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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The Master of Actuarial Science (Specialisation) is a four semester degree that provides students with an undergraduate degree in an alternative field an opportunity to complete Part I with the Actuaries Institute. Students have the opportunity to undertake a specialisation to assist them to identify as an expert in an area of actuarial science. The recommended specialisation is Big Data, however, students also have the option to choose any other Bond Business School specialisation. The Master of Actuarial Science is taught in smaller classes for personalised attention and unparalleled access to Bond University's Macquarie Trading Room and Bloomberg data-sourcing terminals. The program will develop skills in the challenge of crunching 'big data' numbers to create practical solutions for real world problems. Employment opportunities include working as an investment analyst, portfolio manager or actuarial consultant.

Bond is the only university in Queensland to offer the fully accredited program by the Actuaries Institute. 

Professional outcomes

The Master of Actuarial Science (Specialisation) will prepare students for rewarding careers in a range of disciplines, including:

• Climatology
• Consulting
• Data Analytics
• E-Commerce
• Economics
• Finance
• Health
• Insurance
• Infrastructure
• Research
• Risk Management
• Safety
• Science
• Statistics
• Superannuation
• Technology

Structure and subjects

Master of Actuarial Science (Specialisation) students must complete the following eleven subjects:

• ACSC71-200 Mathematical Statistics 
• ACSC71-201 Financial Mathematics
• ACSC71-300 Insurance Models 
• ACSC71-301 Contingencies 
• ACSC71-302 Advanced Modelling 
• ACCT71-600 Accounting Principles
• ECON71-202 Macroeconomics
• ECON71-600 Economics For Business
• FINC71-305 Derivative Products 
• FINC71-601 Corporate Finance
• FINC71-603 Investments

Plus four subjects from one of the specialisations.

Plus one elective subject 

Students may also choose one of the following opportunities to use one or more of your elective subjects to have an international experience or an Internship opportunity provided you meet the requirements. Please discuss with the Enrolment and Student Engagement Officer in the Student Business Centre.  

• Study Tour
• ​The Study Tour requires approval from the Faculty. (Please note that Additional Costs are associated with this subject).
• Business Internship
• The Internship requires a GPA credit average and requires approval from the Faculty with an application to the Career Development Centre.
• Special Topic
• The Special Topic is only available in exceptional circumstances and requires Program Director's approval.

Specialisations

• Big Data
• Digital Business
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing

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Actuaries evaluate and manage financial risk. They make financial sense of the future for their clients by applying advanced mathematical and statistical techniques to solve complex financial problems.

Qualifying as an actuary is a passport to a wide variety of careers in insurance companies, investments, pensions, health care and banking – not just in the UK, but throughout the world. Kent is one of a very few universities in the UK to teach the subject.

Our International Master’s programme is fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. It is equivalent to a Graduate Diploma (which covers the subjects taught within the Postgraduate Diploma in Actuarial Science), followed by the MSc in Applied Actuarial Science.

International Students

This programme is for international students with a good first degree who would like to gain exemptions from subjects in the Core Technical, Core Applications and Specialist Technical Stages of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ examinations.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/176/international-masters-in-applied-actuarial-science

About the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (SMSAS)

The School has a strong reputation for world-class research and a well-established system of support and training, with a high level of contact between staff and research students. Postgraduate students develop analytical, communication and research skills.

In 2010, the Centre for Actuarial Science, Risk and Investment (CASRI) (http://www.kent.ac.uk/casri/index.html) was set up within SMSAS to reflect the widening scope of the teaching and research of the staff. Areas of research interest include economic capital and risk management for financial services firms, mortality and longevity modelling, longevity indices and markets. Other research topics include genetics and insurance, insurance economics, pensions and corporate reporting.

The Centre includes 13 professionally qualified actuaries with many years’ practical experience in insurance and pensions, and who maintain excellent links with the actuarial profession.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

- provide you with eligibility for subject exemptions from the Core Application and Specialist Technical series of examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. This means obtaining a thorough knowledge of core actuarial applications, developing the ability to apply this knowledge in a practical situation and gaining current knowledge and understanding of the practice of major areas in which actuaries are involved

- develop your understanding, knowledge and awareness of current problems, much of which is at the forefront of current professional practice

- ensure you are competent in the use of information technology, and are familiar with computers, together with the relevant software.

Careers

The UK Actuarial Profession
The UK Actuarial Profession is small, but influential and well rewarded. There are more than 6,500 actuaries currently employed in the UK, the majority of whom work in insurance companies and consultancy practices.

Survey results published by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (http://www.actuaries.org.uk/becoming-actuary/pages/what-can-actuary-earn) suggest that the average basic salary for a student actuary is £36,842 with pay and bonuses increasingly sharply as you become more experienced. The average basic salary of a Chief Actuary is £209,292.

As an actuary, your work is extremely varied and can include: advising companies on the amount of funds to set aside for employee pension payments; designing new insurance policies and setting premium rates; pricing financial derivatives and working in fund management and quantitative investment research; advising life insurance companies on he distribution of surplus funds; and estimating the effects of possible major disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, and setting premium rates for insurance against such disasters. For more information about the actuarial profession, see http://www.actuaries.org.uk

Employability support
Helping our students to develop strong employability skills is a key objective within the School and the University. We provide a wide range of services and support to equip you with transferable vocational skills that enable you to secure appropriate professional positions within industry. Within the School we run specialist seminars and provide advice on creating a strong CV, making job applications and successfully attending interviews and assessment centres.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the actuarial, finance, insurance and risk sectors.

Professional recognition

Fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Students who achieve a high enough overall mark can obtain exemptions from the professional examinations included within their studies.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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About the program

Emerging as a key growth sector of the 21st century, actuarial science applies elements of economics, finance, statistics and advanced mathematics to interpret, manage and evaluate risk. Never before have organisations had such extraordinary access to personal information, health statistics, buying habits, population movement, employment trends and much, much more. In these numbers lie the answers to the big questions that really matter.

Accredited by the Actuaries Institute, the Master of Actuarial Science (Professional) is an innovative and immersive program that combines advanced mathematics, statistics, data analytics, actuarial risk theory, finance, economics and accounting subjects with large-scale, real-life commercial data analysis. Developed and taught by Professor Terence O’Neill, one of Australia’s leading academic authorities in the field, the Master of Actuarial Science (Professional) will deliver smaller classes for personalised attention and unparalleled access to Bond University's Macquarie Trading Room and Bloomberg data-sourcing terminals.

The professional program follows the same structure as the Master of Actuarial Science program with an additional 20-week Work Integrated Learning component. Work Integrated Learning is a 45 credit point subject designed to promote and support learning, personal development and professional practice. The subject focuses on developing self-analysis and reflective learning skills, and applying theoretical solutions for practical workplace problems.

See the website https://bond.edu.au/program/master-actuarial-science-professional

Professional outcomes

The Master of Actuarial Science (Professional) will prepare students for rewarding careers in a range of disciplines, including:
- Climatology
- Consulting
- Data Analytics
- E-Commerce
- Economics
- Finance
- Health
- Insurance
- Infrastructure
- Research
- Risk Management
- Safety
- Science
- Statistics
- Superannuation
- Technology

English language proficiency requirements

As tuition is delivered in English, all students will be required to provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language. Read more detailed information on English Language Proficiency Requirements for university study https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply/information-international-students/english-language-requirements .

Find out how to apply here https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/how-apply

See the website https://bond.edu.au/program/master-actuarial-science-professional

For contact information see there https://bond.edu.au/program/master-actuarial-science-professional

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If you are interested in mathematics and finance and you want to learn how to use mathematics and statistics to solve real financial and actuarial problems, the Master's program in Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science is the program for you.

The Master's program in Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science takes the critical field of risk management as its central theme, examined through the lens of quantitative models. Taught by the leading international academics of Tilburg University, content reflects the forefront of world developments in which:
•Investors weigh risks against returns;
•insurers limit their risks by calculating the appropriate premiums;
•option traders balance their books by calculating the sensitivities of their positions with respect to the relevant risk factors.

Delve into these challenging worlds of continuous time finance, empirical applications, and the actuarial sciences of risk theory and asset liability management - giving you a tool-kit of highly practical skills you can apply throughout your entire financial career.

The Master's program in Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science offers you:
•The best preparation for a career in the arena
With a Tilburg University Master's degree recognized for its combined academic rigour and industry relevance.

•Great career prospects
The Master’s program in Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science is one of the programs with the best career prospects. Graduates find work easily, often before graduation, and they earn above average. They work as, for instance, risk management consultants, actuaries or investment analysts. More about the excellent career prospects.

•Customized learning
With a wide range of optional electives available including the possibility to follow courses from the Master's program in Finance or to customize your degree with a specialization in Pensions, Aging and Retirement.

•The possibility to become a fully qualified actuary
After graduation you are eligible to apply for the part-time Executive Master in Actuarial Science offered by TIAS Business School and the Dutch Actuarial Institute.

•Teaching by leading international academics
Giving you a tool-kit of highly practical skills you can apply throughout your entire financial career.

Ranking
#1 in the Netherlands and #10 in Europe in Economics & Econometrics - QS World University Rankings

Future jobs

Your Master's degree in Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science from Tilburg University will open up extensive career opportunities for you in the private sector, as well as in the public and non-profit sectors.

Graduates of our program currently pursue successful careers at:
•Banks
•Insurance companies
•Pension funds
•Consulting agencies
•Trading firms
•Corporate treasuries and risk control departments
•Regulatory institutions and government bodies.

The Master’s program in Quantitative Finance and Actuarial Science is one of the programs with the best career prospects. Graduates find work easily, often before graduation, and they earn above average.

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Actuaries provide assessments of financial security systems, with a focus on their complexity, their mathematics, and their mechanisms. Actuaries quantify the probability and manage the risk of future events in areas such as insurance, healthcare, pensions, investment, and banking and also in non-financial areas. This course is taught by the Department of Mathematical Sciences and is intended for students with a first degree in mathematics, statistics, economics or finance who would like to acquire knowledge in actuarial science.

Our MSc Actuarial Science course is based on the syllabus of the majority of the Core Technical subjects of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, so you’ll cover Core Technical subjects as part of your course (CT2 or CT3, depending on the optional module selected, CT4, CT5, CT6, and CT8). This focus on up-to-date research findings in actuarial methodologies and actuarial applications means that you gain a solid training in actuarial modelling and actuarial analysis.

It is also possible to specialise on a topic of choice, with options including:
-Actuarial and Financial Modelling
-General Insurance
-Life Insurance

You will also have the chance to study a problem in depth through a Master's thesis project on a subject chosen by you or your supervisor.

As part of our Department of Mathematical Sciences you’re a member of an inclusive and approachable research community with an international reputation in many areas including semi-group theory, optimisation, probability, applied statistics, bioinformatics and mathematical biology.

Our expert staff

As well as being world-class academics, many of our academics have won research awards and grants from some of the largest actuarial society’s worldwide, national or regional awards for lecturing, and many of them are qualified and accredited teachers.

Teaching on our course are expert academics and practising actuaries. The key departmental contacts for our MSc Actuarial Science are Keith Bannister, Dr Haslifah Hashim, and Dr Spyridon Vrontos.
-Keith Bannister is a qualified actuary, and a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries and Faculty of Actuaries; he lectures part-time in Actuarial Science.
-Dr Hashim specialises in life and general insurance, pensions, financial mathematics, enterprise risk management, forensic economics, and Islamic finance and takaful.
-Dr Vrontos specialises in actuarial mathematics and modelling, asset-liability management and performance measurement for pension funds, hedge funds and mutual funds, risk management and solvency, and risk theory.

Specialist facilities

-Unique to Essex is our renowned Maths Support Centre, which offers help to students, staff and local businesses on a range of mathematical problems. Throughout term-time, we can chat through mathematical problems either on a one-to-one or small group basis
-We have our own computer labs for the exclusive use of students in the Department of Mathematical Sciences – in addition to your core maths modules, you gain computing knowledge of software including Matlab and Maple
-We host regular events and seminars throughout the year

Your future

As a new course, we expect our graduates of MSc Actuarial Science to become actuaries in a range of industries. It is predicted by the US Department of Labor that the employment of actuaries is expected to grow faster than any other occupation, making it a great prospect for a graduate job.

Aside from a rewarding career as an actuary (actuaries are in the top ten jobs for 2016, careercast.com), clear thinkers are required in every profession, so the successful mathematician has an extensive choice of potential careers. The Council for Mathematical Sciences offers further information on careers in mathematics.

We also work with the university’s Employability and Careers Centre to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

We also offer supervision for PhD, MPhil and MSc by Dissertation. We have an international reputation in many areas such as semi-group theory, optimisation, probability; applied statistics, bioinformatics and mathematical biology, and our department is strongly committed to research and to the promotion of graduate activities.

Example structure

Postgraduate study is the chance to take your education to the next level. The combination of compulsory and optional modules means our courses help you develop extensive knowledge in your chosen discipline, whilst providing plenty of freedom to pursue your own interests. Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field, therefore to ensure your course is as relevant and up-to-date as possible your core module structure may be subject to change.

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The Master of Actuarial Practice at Bond University is a five-semester degree that provides those with an undergraduate degree in an alternative field the opportunity to complete all actuarial Part I and Part II subjects. In addition, you will have the opportunity to undertake a specialisation. The recommended specialisation is Big Data, however students also have the option to choose any other Bond Business School specialisation. This 92-week program contains a 20-week thesis component in the final semester designed to support learning, personal development and professional practice. Bond Actuarial graduates are thus very well placed in the job market and the skills are highly transferable between countries. Any completed relatable undergraduate program will also gain you up to 40 credit points towards the Master of Accounting program. 

Bond is the only university in Queensland to offer the fully accredited program by the Actuaries Institute.

About the program

Provisionally accredited by the Actuaries Institute, the Master of Actuarial Practice is an innovative and immersive program that combines advanced mathematics, statistics, data analytics, actuarial risk theory, finance, economics and accounting with large-scale, real-life commercial data analysis to develop techniques for the management of risk and business decision making. An integral part of this degree is the development of research skills and actuarial judgement through the Actuarial Control Cycle subjects and the Actuarial Research Thesis subject.

The Master of Actuarial Practice will deliver smaller classes for personalised attention and unparalleled access to Bond University's Macquarie Trading Room and Bloomberg data-sourcing terminals. The program will develop skills in the challenge of handling ‘big data’ to create practical solutions for real world problems. 

Professional outcomes

The Master of of Actuarial Practice will prepare students for rewarding careers in a range of disciplines, including:

• Climatology
• Consulting
• Data Analytics
• E-Commerce
• Economics
• Finance
• Health
• Insurance
• Infrastructure
• Research
• Risk Management
• Safety
• Science
• Statistics
• Superannuation
• Technology

Structure and subjects

Master of Actuarial Practice students must complete the following eleven subjects:

• ACSC71-200 Mathematical Statistics 
• ACSC71-201 Financial Mathematics
• ACSC71-300 Insurance Models 
• ACSC71-301 Contingencies 
• ACSC71-302 Advanced Modelling 
• ACCT71-600 Accounting Principles
• ECON71-202 Macroeconomics
• ECON71-600 Economics For Business
• FINC71-305 Derivative Products 
• FINC71-601 Corporate Finance
• FINC71-603 Investments

Plus the following four professional subjects:

• ACSC71-400 Actuarial Control Cycle 1
• ACSC71-401 Actuarial Control Cycle 2 
• ACSC71-402 Investments and Asset Modelling 
• ACSC71-403 Actuarial Research Essay (20 Weeks) (Final Semester Subject)

Plus five approved elective subjects.

or

One of the postgraduate specialisations plus one elective subject.

Students may also choose one of the following opportunities to use your elective subject to have an international experience or an Internship opportunity provided you meet the requirements. Please discuss with the Enrolment and Student Engagement Officer in the Student Business Centre.  

• Study Tour
• ​The Study Tour requires approval from the Faculty. (Please note that Additional Costs are associated with this subject).
• Business Internship
• The Internship requires a GPA credit average and requires approval from the Faculty with an application to the Career Development Centre.
• Special Topic
• The Special Topic is only available in exceptional circumstances and requires Program Director's approval.

Specialisations

Complete four subjects from one of the following specialisations:

• Big Data
• Digital Business
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing

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The MSc in Actuarial Science offers students a firm grounding in the fundamentals of actuarial science, including detailed study of the mathematical and statistical techniques used in the insurance, pensions, and financial services industries.

The MSc in Actuarial Science course is accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Cass Business School was the first institution in the UK to have both undergraduate and postgraduate actuarial programmes fully accredited and is also recognised by other actuarial professional bodies around the world. Consequently, students have an opportunity to gain exemptions from up to eight of the Core Technical examinations (Subjects CT1-CT8) of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

The programme is delivered via face-to-face lectures from qualified actuaries, academics and other subject-specialists, complemented by dedicated online support, easy access to faculty members, and advice on study and exam techniques. Lecturers use their commercial experience and research expertise to deliver a challenging, relevant and intellectually stimulating course.

Visit the website: http://www.cass.city.ac.uk/courses/masters/courses/actuarial-science

Course detail

To satisfy the requirements of the degree programme students must complete:
• at least five out of eight core courses (Terms 1 and 2) and the Research Methods module (Term 1)
and
• five electives in Term 3
or
• one elective and a Business Research Project in Term 3
or
• three electives and an Applied Research Project in Term 3

Format

During the induction period, which is compulsory, a variety of activities are offered to students, to support them in their learning and professional development. Cass Careers offers workshops with a focus on the key skills that employers are looking for, as well as preparing students for the application process. The annual MSc Careers Fair at this time provides the opportunity to meet more than 60 companies who are recruiting across many sectors including insurance, pensions, finance, energy, and other fields. Furthermore, innovative workshops are run on advanced study skills and obtaining practical insight to actuarial work.

Career opportunities

There is a continuous demand for capable postgraduate level executives in the actuarial profession, whose members are among the highest paid in the UK. They work in fields such as insurance companies (life/non-life), consulting firms, government departments, banks and investment firms, teaching and research.

Some examples of where graduates from the MSc in Actuarial Science class of 2014 are working are:

• Generali - Actuarial Analyst
• Mirae Asset - Researcher
• Willis - Graduate Actuarial Analyst
• Towers Watson - Consultant

How to apply

Apply here: http://www.city.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/applying-to-city

Funding

For information on funding, please follow this link: http://www.city.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/funding-and-financial-support

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What is the 'Master of Financial and Actuarial Engineering' all about?

The Master of Financial and Actuarial Engineering programme provides students with up-to-date, sound and advanced financial, actuarial and statistical skills. It is an intensive, advanced, one-year programme for university graduates interested in a career in risk management, financial and/or actuarial engineering within financial institutions. The discipline focuses on the application of quantitative methods to problems involving risk or uncertainty. You will gain an understanding of current and future problems and solutions in insurance and banking and be equipped with fundamental and conceptual knowledge of the mathematical and economic aspects of financial theory and insurance techniques.

The programme provides advanced insights into the actuarial aspects of life insurance, general insurance and risk theory as well as financial mathematics and the inter-relationship and integration of actuarial sciences and finance. The programme draws on over sixty years of experience and international recognition. The research team for risk theory, finance and statistics has a strong research profile and is ranked among the world top in terms of actuarial research productivity. The programme is jointly offered by the Faculty of Business and Economics and the Faculty of Science at KU Leuven, in collaboration with Université Catholique de Louvain.

Objectives

The main goal of the programme is to provide the students with an sound knowledge of finance and actuarial science. They develop the capabilities to understand current and future problems and solutions in the actuarial and financial context. They will be equipped with fundamental and conceptual knowledge of the mathematical and economic aspects of financial theory and insurance techniques. Graduates holding both the degree of Master of Financial and Actuarial Engineering and 'Master in de verzekeringen' (Dutch-language initial master at KU Leuven) are eligible for membership in the professional body of actuaries in Belgium (IA|BE), and the international actuarial professional body (IAA).

At the end of the programme students will:

• be equipped with fundamental and conceptual knowledge of the mathematical and economic aspects of financial theory and insurance techniques;
• have advanced insights in the actuarial aspects of life insurance, general insurance, risk theory as well as in the interrelationship and integration of actuarial sciences and financial mathematics;
• have a strong background in quantitative methods and financial models and will be able to select and apply those methods to problems that involve risk or uncertainty;
• dispose of enhanced analytical, critical, conceptual, problem solving and decision making capabilities and skills;
• have the ability to integrate actuarial, statistical and financial modelling techniques in order to arrive at effective solutions to problems occurring in insurance and financial practice;
• be able to conduct research, not only in an academic context, but also in view of a professional career;
• be able to stay up-to-date with the advances in actuarial sciences by following up and familiarizing with new insights, developments, results and methods;
• be able to communicate and report adequately on financial and actuarial topics.

Career perspectives

The programme addresses the rapidly-changing needs resulting from the accelerating globalisation of the banking and insurance sector. As such, it provides a sound basis for a career in various areas of risk management, financial and actuarial engineering and insurance. Most graduates find employment in insurance companies, whose financial stability depends on actuarial calculations (e.g. premiums, provisions, capital requirements, reinsurance policy).

As an expert in the field of risk and uncertainty, you can also play an important role in banking and finance. The increasing convergence between the insurance and financial markets as well as the use of mathematically based instruments, such as options and futures, offers excellent career prospects. Graduates are well placed to find employment in banks, pension funds, reinsurance companies, consulting and audit companies.

Some graduates go to work in government, for instance in social security or economic affairs departments. Graduates holding both the degree of Master of Financial and Actuarial Engineering and 'Master in de verzekeringen' (Dutch-language initial Master's programme at KU Leuven) are eligible for membership in the professional body of actuaries in Belgium (IA|BE).

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Overview

Entry to the actuarial profession is by a demanding series of examinations, but the rewards after qualifying are great. The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK has four levels of examinations to qualify. The first level, the Core Technical (CT) subjects, are taught in our BSc or MSc in Actuarial Science and lead to exemptions from CT1 to CT8.

Leading on from this, our established and successful MSc in Actuarial Management (See http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/prog/msc-actuarial-management/ ) covers the more advanced actuarial subjects and offers exemptions from the syllabuses of the Core Application subjects CA1 and CA3 and Specialist Technical subjects ST2, ST4, ST5, ST6 and ST9.

Students will typically study CA1, CA3 and up to three ST subjects (two ST subjects are needed to satisfy the profession's requirements).

Taking our MSc in Actuarial Management is a great way to speed your progress to this most prestigious of careers - it's designed to take you almost all of the way to qualification. A student who graduates with a full set of exemptions from Heriot-Watt (CT, CA and ST subjects) will only have three more examinations to pass, as well as gaining the necessary work experience, to qualify as a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Programme duration

The PG Diploma comprises the taught coursework component leading to exemptions from CA1 and the ST professional subjects and takes 9 months to complete. Successful students can then progress to the project work in the summer. This takes the form of industry-relevant case studies, assessed by written reports, which leads to the award of an MSc and exemption from the Subject CA3. In exceptional cases a student may be allowed to write a research dissertation.

The programme is also available to be studied on a part-time basis, over a maximum of 4 years.

Teaching Excellence and Student Satisfaction

30% of our teaching staff are qualified actuaries, the others are leading Mathematicians, Financial Mathematicians and Statisticians, who are nationally and internationally recognised for their research. This expertise ensures that what we teach you is current, applicable to the real workplace and current economy. Our National Student Survey results are consistently high for overall student satisfaction.

Results from the National Student Survey for 2011 reveal that 88% of our Mathematics and Statistics (including Actuarial Science) graduates are employed with a graduate position and/or undertaking further study. Our graduates go on to work for companies such as Swiss Re, Standard Life, Towers Watson, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays Capital, Scottish Widows, Ernst & Young and many more. Graduates are employed locally in Edinburgh, London and throughout the world.

Student Actuarial Society

Heriot-Watt has a very active Students' Actuarial Society (See http://hwsas.com/ ) which won several awards at a recent Heriot-Watt 'Oscars' ceremony. This body is completely managed, enthusiastically and professionally, by our students.

Professional recognition

The programme is fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Programme content

In the taught element of the programme each student takes eight semester-long courses. These are linked in pairs, one per semester. One pair of courses – covering Actuarial Risk Management – is compulsory and corresponds to subject CA1. It applies the principles of actuarial mathematics to a wide range of financial and insurance settings. Students choose a minimum of two pairs of courses from a list including Life Office Management (subject ST2), Pensions (subject ST4), Investment and Finance (subject ST5), Derivatives (subject ST6) and Enterprise Risk Management (subject ST9).

The choice of courses may depend on the coverage of actuarial subjects in the student’s first degree. Depending on individual circumstances, other optional courses may be made available, for example courses from the MSc in Actuarial Science or in other disciplines. However, students choosing to take three pairs of courses, potentially leading to exemptions from three ST subjects, will have an exceptionally broad range of employment opportunities.

Students may graduate with the Postgraduate Diploma at the end of the 2nd semester, after completing the taught coursework component leading to exemptions form CA1 and the ST professional subjects. Successful students can then progress to the project work in the summer. This takes the form of industry-relevant case studies, assessed by written reports, which leads to the award of an MSc and exemption from the Subject CA3. In exceptional cases a student may be allowed to write a research dissertation.The dissertation is an extended research project, with regular supervision, undertaken in the summer. The diploma takes 9 months and the MSc takes 1 year full time and part time options are available.

For more detailed course descriptions, please visit the current student website http://www.ma.hw.ac.uk/ams/teach/courses1314/index.php

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we’ll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. We offer a range of English language courses (See http://www.hw.ac.uk/study/english.htm ) to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:
- 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no more than one skill at 4.5);
- 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with minimum of 5.0 in all skills);
- 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with minimum of 5.5 in reading & writing and minimum of 5.0 in speaking & listening)

Find information on Fees and Scholarships here http://www.postgraduate.hw.ac.uk/prog/msc-actuarial-management/

Find videos of students and graduates from the department here http://www.youtube.com/user/HWActuarial?blend=3&ob=5#p/a

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Accredited by the Actuaries Institute, The Master of Actuarial Science is an innovative and immersive program that combines elements of economics, finance, statistics, data analytics and advanced mathematics to develop techniques for the management of risk and business decision making. The Master of Actuarial Science will be taught via smaller classes for personalised attention and unparalleled access to Bond University's Macquarie Trading Room and Bloomberg data-sourcing terminals. The program will develop skills in the challenge of crunching 'big data' numbers to create practical solutions for real world problems. Employment opportunities include working as an investment analyst, portfolio manager, actuarial consultant, insurance actuary, superannuation actuary, risk analyst, big data analyst, liability manager and high level manager. The University has applied for accreditation with the Actuaries Institute. Once this is granted, successful completion of the program at an appropriate level of performance will lead to Part I qualification with the Actuaries Institute. 

Professional outcomes

The Master of Actuarial Science will prepare students for rewarding careers in a range of disciplines, including:

• Climatology
• Consulting
• Data Analytics
• E-Commerce
• Economics
• Finance
• Health
• Insurance
• Infrastructure
• Research
• Risk Management
• Safety
• Science
• Statistics
• Superannuation
• Technology

Structure and subjects

Master of Actuarial Science students must complete the following eleven subjects:

• ACSC71-200 Mathematical Statistics 
• ACSC71-201 Financial Mathematics
• ACSC71-300 Insurance Models 
• ACSC71-301 Contingencies 
• ACSC71-302 Advanced Modelling 
• ACCT71-600 Accounting Principles
• ECON71-202 Macroeconomics
• ECON71-600 Economics For Business
• FINC71-305 Derivative Products 
• FINC71-601 Corporate Finance
• FINC71-603 Investments

Plus one elective subject.

Students may also choose one of the following opportunities to use your elective subject to have an international experience or an Internship opportunity provided you meet the requirements. Please discuss with the Enrolment and Student Engagement Officer in the Student Business Centre.  

• Study Tour
• ​The Study Tour requires approval from the Faculty. (Please note that Additional Costs are associated with this subject).
• Business Internship
• The Internship requires a GPA credit average and requires approval from the Faculty with an application to the Career Development Centre.
• Special Topic
• The Special Topic is only available in exceptional circumstances and requires Program Director's approval.

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This exciting course-based graduate program, offered by the Faculty of Science, gives students an opportunity to enhance their understanding and skills in the discipline of actuarial sciences. Over 16 consecutive months, students complete Master's level course work in industry relevant areas, such as derivatives markets, life contingencies, micro- and macro-economics.

Career Opportunities

As a professional graduate program, alumni of the M.Act.Sc program are well prepared for careers in insurance, financial analysis, pensions, and healthcare industries. Graduates can also participate in the regular offerings of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) exams offered on-site.

Curriculum covers actuarial mathematics as required for the following Society of Actuaries (SOA) professional exams:
-P (Probability)
-FM (financial mathematics)
-MLC (actuarial Models: Life Contingencies)
-MFE (actuarial Models:Financial Economics)
-C (Construction and evaluation of actuarial models)*
-SOA VEE (validation by educational experience)

*Partial preparation for the SOA "C" exam

Key Learning outcomes

-Describe and apply advanced concepts related of probability, theory of interest, financial derivatives, finance, economics, regression and time series, risk and loss functions
-Critically evaluate current research in actuarial science, develop and support a sustained argument based on evidence, and apply appropriate research methods to problems
-Interpret verbal descriptions and transform them into mathematical insurance models, analyse the models, interpret the models and output and express the solutions in a coherent organized manner
-Recognize and discuss appropriate best actuarial models and create models to solve complex problems

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In this course you will learn how to help organisations plan for the future and protect themselves from loss. Core units cover the principles of finance and investment science through to risk analysis and credibility theory.

You will also select optional units, which include practical mathematical financial modelling, applied statistics and numerical methods.

On completion of this course, your skills may be applied in the worlds of insurance, pensions, healthcare, banking, business management and risk assessment. You may also play a role in determining company policy and explaining complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public in general.

This course is accredited by the Actuaries Institute. Graduates are also eligible for membership of the Australian Mathematical Society.

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Mathematical Society.

Career opportunities

Graduates generally find employment with insurance companies, investment and superannuation funds, banks, stockbrokers and government agencies.

Credit for previous study

Applications for recognition of prior learning (RPL) are assessed on an individual basis.

2016 Curtin International Scholarships: Merit Scholarship

Curtin University is an inspiring, vibrant, international organisation, committed to making tomorrow better. It is a beacon for innovation, driving advances in technology through high-impact research and offering more than 100 practical, industry-aligned courses connecting to workplaces of tomorrow.

Ranked in the top two per cent of universities worldwide in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2015, the University is also ranked 25th in the world for universities under the age of 50 in the QS World University Rankings 2015 Curtin also received an overall five-star excellence rating in the QS stars rating.

Curtin University strives to give high achieving international students the opportunity to gain an internationally recognised education through offering the Merit Scholarship. The Merit Scholarship will give you up to 25 per cent of your first year tuition fees and if you enrol in an ELB program at Curtin English before studying at Curtin, you will also receive a 10 per cent discount on your Curtin English fees.

For full details and terms and conditions of this scholarship, please visit: curtin.edu/int-scholarships and click on Merit.

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