Actuarial Science with Data Analytics MSc

Course description

This programme is for you if you want to kick-start your actuarial career and gain the skills to apply data analytics to solve real business problems.

Whether you have yet to start the actuarial professional exams, or you have already passed some of the Core Principles subjects you will be able to choose a route that maximises your potential exemptions from the IFoA exams. In some cases you will be able to finish with all the exams needed to become a fully-qualified actuary as an Associate member of the IFoA (Qualification as an Associate requires two years' work experience qualifying for PPD, successfully completing the online Professional Skills Course, and successfully completing the online CB3 course and assessment.)

This unique combination of technical expertise and transferable business skills means you will be well placed to work in the worlds of insurance, pensions, healthcare, banking, business management 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 while continuing your actuarial professional qualification.

Teaching and learning

The programme will be taught using computer classes, problem classes, skills sessions, supervision while undertaking extensive project and dissertation work as well as lectures. Some elements of supported eLearning will be used to refresh mathematical skills as necessary. Assessment will be via course work, computational exercises, projects and written exams. In addition to the mini-projects present in each module, the MSc offers two supervisor-led summer projects to gain exemptions from Core Practice subjects 2 and 3.

Careers and employability

You will be well-placed to work in the worlds of insurance, pensions, healthcare, banking, business management 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.

We aim to develop graduates who:

• are comfortable with data and manipulating it
• have great team working skills
• can communicate persuasively in speech and writing
• know why they are in an organisation and what they can contribute

We also support the employability of our students via:

• our award-winning careers team, who are well-resourced to support any type of application or employer assessment
• dedicated employability advisers within the careers team, who understand the markets they are applying to
• weekly employability sessions with qualified actuaries reviewing applications and giving advice based on industry experience, available to campus-based students and distance learning students via Skype
• regular actuarial society events attracting actuarial and other financial employers to the campus to meet students
• a professional skills and employability module

Students need to have: at least a 2:1 in a relevant subject (Mathematics, Statistics, Sciences, Economics). We will consider graduates from other subjects on an individual basis - students will need to demonstrate their ability in mathematics is at an appropriate level if do not have at least a B at A-level.