Actuarial Science (MSc)

Who is it for?

If you have strong technical ability and an interest in solving business problems, becoming an actuary is one of the most rewarding career choices you can make. The MSc in Actuarial Science will propel you into the profession. It offers you a firm grounding in the fundamentals of actuarial science in insurance, finance and investment. You’ll undertake a detailed study of the mathematical and statistical techniques for measuring the probability and risk of future events and their financial impact on a business and/or their clients.

Objectives

On this course, you will study statistics, probability, stochastic processes, survival models, economics, finance and investment, insurance, pensions and financial contracts valuation. This broad and varied syllabus is equivalent to the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ Core Technical professional examinations (Subjects CT1-CT8), and enables you to gain exemptions from them.

The course 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.

What will you learn

• Demonstrate mastery of mathematical problem-solving skills and fundamental concepts in statistics, probability modelling, economics, finance and investment.
• Develop your mastery of actuarial theory used in insurance and investment.
• Evaluate research papers from journals and professional texts to produce an independent synthesis of knowledge and ideas.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of actuarial and statistical methods to solve problems in insurance and investment.
• Evaluate and apply alternative approaches in the analysis of financial reports.
• Develop and communicate effectively reasoned arguments on current issues relating to actuarial theory and practice.
• Use appropriate software tools for data analysis and modelling.

Assessment

Assessment of modules on the MSc in Actuarial Science, in most cases, is by means of coursework and unseen examination. Coursework may consist of standard essays, individual and group presentations, group reports, classwork, unseen tests and problem sets. Please note that any group work may include an element of peer assessment.

Course content

We review all our courses regularly to keep them up-to-date on issues of both theory and practice.

To satisfy the requirements of the degree students must complete:

• at least five out of eight core courses (including at least two from Term 2) and the Research Methods module (Term 1)

and either

• five electives in Term 3
• one elective and a Business Research Project in Term 3
• three electives and an Applied Research Project in Term 3

Induction

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 pathways

Actuaries are experts in risk management. They mainly work for insurance companies, consultancy firms, banks and investment managers. They work in the areas of:

• General Insurance
• Health and Care
• Investment
• Life Insurance
• Pensions
• Financial Risk Management.

An actuarial career is a global professional passport. Our graduates from the MSc in Actuarial Science are well prepared to tackle actuarial and risk analyst, consultancy and underwriting roles in leading firms such as EY, PwC, KPMG, Willis Towers Watson, Munich Re, to name a few, that are as challenging as they are rewarding with starting salaries that far outstrip their peers in other industries.

A career as an actuary has been consistenly ranked within the top 10 best jobs for five years running (CareerCast)

The MSc in Actuarial Management serves as a continuation of the MSc in Actuarial Science allowing successful candidates to focus on the application of concepts learned, study the key areas of actuarial practice and choose from the various actuarial specialist subjects and attain further technical knowledge. Students taking that MSc get an opportunity to obtain further exemptions from the later Core Applications and Specialist Technical subjects of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Visit the Actuarial Science (MSc) page on the Cass Business School website for more details!