Actuarial Science

The MSc Actuarial Science is a full time postgraduate programme aimed primarily at students with undergraduate degrees from the disciplines of maths, statistics, finance or any other programme with a high mathematical content.

The programme will encompass new and existing modules across the areas of actuarial mathematics, statistics, economics and finance, to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as an actuary. This programme will provide students who have not undertaken an undergraduate Actuarial Science degree with the opportunity to accrue exemptions from six of the earlier IFoA professional exams (CM1-2, CB1-2 and CS1-2) in addition to undertaking postgraduate study.

Professional Accreditations
Subject to academic performance, students can gain up to six exemptions from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) professional exams.

Course Structure
The MSc Actuarial Science is a full time postgraduate programme aimed primarily at students with undergraduate degrees from the disciplines of maths, statistics, finance or any other programme with a high mathematical content.

The programme will encompass new and existing modules across the areas of actuarial mathematics, statistics, economics and finance, to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as an actuary. This programme will provide students who have not undertaken an undergraduate Actuarial Science degree with the opportunity to accrue exemptions from six of the earlier IFoA professional exams (CM1-2, CB1-2 and CS1-2) in addition to undertaking postgraduate study.

Students pursuing a career in Actuarial Science should enjoy working with numbers, be effective communicators and work well with people as they will have to analyse and interpret financial and other information to meet the needs of different users, including clients, executive directors and investors.

Semester 1
Actuarial Mathematics 1
Statistics
Financial Reporting
Statistics for Insurance

Semester 2
Actuarial Mathematics 2
Economics
Actuarial Modelling
Computational Methods in Finance

Semester 3
Applied Research Project

Graduate
Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a highly quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Finance or Economics. A strong performance in quantitative modules is required.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

1 academic year full-time