Course summary

Heriot-Watt is a world-leading centre of teaching and research in actuarial mathematics, financial mathematics, risk management, probability and statistics. As the first department to offer a BSc in Actuarial Science in the UK, we have over 40 years of experience in delivering excellence and our actuarial programmes are fully accredited by the UK actuarial profession (IFoA). We are also recognised as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the North American Society of Actuaries (SOA), the world’s largest actuarial professional organization. We are the only Center of Actuarial Excellence in Europe. Our Actuarial Science and Diploma in Industrial Training degree is ideal if you’re interested in maths and looking for a course that offers a rewarding career – both intellectually and financially. It is unique in that it combines the rigorous studies of the BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science programme with a year-long work placement. Lasting five years, this Honours programme is longer than standard. Good performance means students can gain exemptions from professional examinations (CT1-CT8) as well as 12 months’ experience of working in an organisation such as a life insurance company, a pension consultancy, an investment management firm or a bank. Successful completion of this work placement is essential to achieving the Diploma in Industrial Training. The work placement helps you to develop specific work-related skills, giving you the opportunity to apply and build upon the theory you learn in your studies. It allows you to take on real responsibilities, enhance your interpersonal skills through teamwork and communication and experience workplace culture. The Diploma is available to all students, including those from overseas, as it does not require a work visa. It is your responsibility to find a suitable work placement; acceptance onto the programme does not guarantee you a placement. Our award-winning Careers Service will help you in your search. Our students have completed placements with PwC, Aegon, Prudential and Mercer. If you are registered on the programme but are unable to find a suitable work placement before the end of level 3, it is possible to transfer to the standard BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science degree. Actuarial Science students at Heriot-Watt can take advantage of our international campuses by taking part in an Inter-Campus Transfer. This gives you the opportunity to study at our Malaysia campus for a semester or a year, while still benefitting from the same accreditation by the IFoA as in Edinburgh, with the chance to gain the same professional exemptions. Our Students’ Actuarial Society (SAS) is entirely managed, enthusiastically and professionally, by our Actuarial Science students. With over 250 members, it is one of the largest societies dedicated to actuarial studies in the UK. Regular conferences, professional development and networking events with leading actuaries keep members up-to-date with the profession and in a prime position to begin their careers.