Course summary
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. Accreditation Students who achieve a high enough overall mark in our programmes can obtain exemptions from the professional examinations included within their studies. Depending on the modules chosen, MSc in Applied Actuarial Science students may be eligible for exemptions from CP1, CP2, CP3, SP2, SP5, SP7, SP8 and SP9 of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. As one of the few universities to offer actuarial science in the UK, Kent’s programme is recognised for its strong mix of theoretical and practical expertise. The teaching staff include many actuaries drawn from professional practice, along with specialised researchers. Your placement Placements last for 12 months, commencing in June/July of the Summer Term. Upon completion of your placement, you will return to Kent to take your exams. Placements may be undertaken in the UK or overseas. The University does not guarantee every student will find a placement. Those who do not secure a placement will be transferred to the MSc programme without a placement. About the Centre for Actuarial Science, Risk and Investment In 2010, the Centre for Actuarial Science, Risk and Investment (CASRI) was set up within the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science to reflect the widening scope of the teaching and research of the staff. Within CASRI, research in actuarial science can be broadly classified into the following three themes: economic capital and financial risk management, longevity risk modelling, and public policy aspects of insurance risk classification. This achieves a balance between theoretical and applied investigations, as well as addressing social policy implications. The group has a deep and long-standing association with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, as well as with other educational institutions worldwide.
Modules
The course is based on a ‘core modules plus options’ structure and exemptions can be gained from professional examinations. 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. The placement consists of two modules: Industrial Placement Experience and Industrial Placement Report. The Experience module is assessed as pass/fail only and the Report module is graded on a categorical scale.
Assessment method
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 receive exemptions. 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. Continuation to Industrial Placement The taught component, project and work placement constitute a single stage. However, commencement of the placement is conditional on satisfactory progress in the taught component, as determined at the interim examination board in June. A student with resits amounting to more than 30 credits following the August exam diet will normally be required to retrieve the credit before beginning a placement. To be eligible for the award of an MSc with an Industrial Placement, students must meet the requirements for the award of the MSc without a placement and pass both of the placement modules. Alternative exit awards (PDip and PCert with an Industrial Placement) follow a similar rule.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Actuaries, Institute and Faculty of
How to apply
International applicants
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision. The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level. For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages. If you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Entry requirements
A good first degree in Actuarial Science, or a degree that covers all or most of the Core Principles Stage subjects of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ examinations. We may also accept applicants who have a good first degree in another subject and who have passed most of the Core Principles Stage subjects. All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Kent
Recruitment and Admissions Office
Registry
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ
Course contact details
Visit our course pageSchool of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science
Recruitment and Admissions Office
+44 (0) 1227 768896
+44 (0) 1227 827077