Skip to main content

Actuarial Science

Entry Year: 2025

4 study options

Actuarial Science BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
3 years
Start
September 2025
UCAS code
N323
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include grade A or above in A-Level Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£27,950
Funding information
Paying your fees

Mathematics with Foundation BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2025
UCAS code
GGX2
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades BBC at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics.
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£25,000
Funding information
Paying your fees

Actuarial Science with Professional Placement BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2025
UCAS code
N32P
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include grade A or above in A-Level Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£27,950
Funding information
Paying your fees

Actuarial Science with Year Abroad BSc (Hons)

Key information

Degree
BSc (Hons)
Duration
4 years
Start
September 2025
UCAS code
N32Y
Institution code
Q50
Typical A-Level offer
Grades AAA at A-Level. This must include grade A or above in A-Level Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
Full entry requirements (including contextual admissions)
Home fees
£9,250
Overseas fees
£27,950
Funding information
Paying your fees

Year abroad cost

Finances for studying abroad on exchange

View details

Overview

The future is uncertain, but statistics can reveal ways to measure risk. Study this accredited course to learn how.

Imagine being able to predict the future. Not by using a crystal ball, but with numbers. To become an actuary, you’ll need a combination of mathematical expertise, specialist knowledge and drive to make a difference.  

Taught by experts with many years of industry experience, our programme is accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). Our research covers everything from geometry and analysis to algebra and number theory.  

As well as mathematics, you’ll unravel areas like probability, actuarial and financial mathematics, and business economics. All of this will mean you’ll be exempt from up to six of the seven Core Principles exams, so you’ll be on your way to becoming a qualified actuary with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. 

Professional recognition

This degree is currently accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). Successful students gain exemptions from up to six of the seven Core Principles examinations under the new IFoA Curriculum 2019.

Find out more about the professional qualifications required for an actuarial career.

 

 

Structure

You can complete your Actuarial Science degree in three or four years. If you choose to do a professional placement or year abroad, this will take place in Year 3, and Year 3 modules will instead be studied in Year 4.

Year 0

Semester 1

Compulsory

  • Communication in Science and Technology 

Semester 2

Compulsory

  • Further Mathematics 

Year-long modules

Compulsory

  • Science and Engineering Success
  • Foundations of Chemical Science
  • Foundations of Physical Science
  • Foundations of Engineering
  • Mathematics B

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 1

  • Actuarial Professional Development 
  • Applied Calculus
  • Applied Probability & Statistics
  • Economics for Business Management
  • Numbers, Sets and Functions
  • Programming in Python I 
  • Vectors and Matrices

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 2

  • Actuarial Mathematics I
  • Actuarial Mathematics II
  • Actuarial Professional Development II
  • Actuarial Statistics
  • Applied Linear Algebra
  • Corporate Financial Reporting
  • Probability and Statistics II
  • Statistical Modelling I
  • Statistics for Insurance

 

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Year 3

Compulsory

  • Corporate Financial Management
  • Financial Mathematics I*
  • Actuarial Professional Development II

Elective

  • Actuarial Financial Engineering*
  • Bayesian Statistical Methods
  • Complex Networks
  • Introduction to Machine Learning*
  • Mathematical Tools for Asset Management*
  • Numerical Computing with C and C++
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Random Processes*
  • Survival Models*
  • Time Series*

*Students seeking exemption from the maximum number of IFoA examinations must take all modules marked with *

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Study options

Apply for this degree with any of the following options. Take care to use the correct UCAS code - it may not be possible to change your selection later.

Integrated foundation year

Students who do not have the required high school qualifications for admission to this degree and students who do not meet their UCAS conditional offer may be considered for the 4-year degree (foundation year plus the 3-year degree). 

International students with Year 12 or a completed international high school certificate qualify for the one-year foundation programme commonly known as the ISEFP.

The foundation programme offers a range of transferable skills and an opportunity to improve on your knowledge content for relevant Maths and Science subjects.

You will enrol on a Mathematics BSc with Foundation which will offer progression to a range of degrees in the School of Mathematical Sciences including BSc Actuarial Science.   At the end of the foundation programme, students will be required to meet the progression requirements for admission to BSc Actuarial Science

Professional Placement

Apply for our Actuarial Science BSc with Professional Placement to spend a year carrying out paid work in the financial sector as part of your degree. As well as helping you to stand out from the crowd and secure graduate employment, a placement is an excellent opportunity to develop your business skills and put your learning into context.

Year abroad

Go global and study abroad as part of your degree – apply for our Actuarial Science BSc with a Year Abroad. Queen Mary has links with universities across the globe, including North America, Asia and Australia (partnerships vary for each degree programme).

You can do either a year in a professional placement or a year abroad - you cannot combine these options.

student profile image
Testimonial

“This course provides the foundation for my path towards becoming a fully qualified actuary and offers a deep level of general mathematical understanding. The specialist modules are taught by professional actuaries, who invite guests to give us a first-hand insight into the field.” 

Simon Onyango, BSc Mathematics with Actuarial Science

Teaching

Teaching and learning

You’ll learn through lectures and tutorials, and in exercise classes where students work together on problems, discuss ideas and ask questions. Many statistical modules have a practical element, presented in one of our computer labs.

Formal teaching time typically takes up 16 hours each week. You’ll also be expected to complete additional hours of independent study.

Assessment

Most of your modules will be assessed by an examination worth at least 90 per cent of the year’s study, with the remainder covered by coursework and tests.

Management modules are assessed using a combination of coursework (presentations, assignments, essay report writing, in-class tests, research and project work) and/or examinations in May or June.

Resources and facilities

The School of Mathematical Sciences has invested £18m to create an inspiring, collaborative space for our community of students and staff. The building includes high-quality teaching rooms, private and group study areas and a new social hub.

You’ll also have access to a purpose-built media suite designed to support student entrepreneurship.

Entry requirements

A-LevelGrades AAA at A-Level. This must include grade A or above in A-Level Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,6 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level. We will consider either Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics or Mathematics based discipline. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4.
Contextualised admissions

Our standard contextual offer: ABB, including A in Maths at A-Level.

Our enhanced contextual offer: BBB, including Maths at A-Level.

More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page.

Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.

A-LevelGrades BBC at A-Level. This must include A-Level Mathematics.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 28 points overall, including 5,4,4 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level. We will consider either Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEAccess qualifications are not considered for entry to this programme.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4 and Maths at grade B or 5.
Contextualised admissionsWe consider every application on its individual merits and will take into consideration your individual educational experiences and context. More information on how academic schools and programmes use this information as part of the admissions process, can be found on our contextualised admissions pages.
A-LevelGrades AAA at A-Level. This must include grade A or above in A-Level Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,6 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level. We will consider either Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics or Mathematics based discipline. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English at grade C or 4.
Contextualised admissionsOur standard contextual offer: ABB, including A in Maths at A-Level.

Our enhanced contextual offer: BBB, including Maths at A-Level.

More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page.

Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.
A-LevelGrades AAA at A-Level. This must include grade A or above in A-Level Mathematics. Excludes General Studies.
IBInternational Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum of 36 points overall, including 6,6,6 from three Higher Level subjects. This must include Mathematics at Higher Level. We will consider either Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation or Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches at Higher Level.
BTECSee our detailed subject and grade requirements
Access HEWe consider applications from students with the Access to Higher Education Diploma in a Physics or Mathematics based discipline. The minimum academic requirement is to achieve 60 credits overall, with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. Applications are considered on a case by case basis. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not make offers of study purely on the basis of meeting grade requirements.
GCSEMinimum five GCSE passes including English and Maths at grade C or 4.
Contextualised admissionsOur standard contextual offer: ABB, including A in Maths at A-Level.

Our enhanced contextual offer: BBB, including Maths at A-Level.

More information on our contextual offer criteria can be found on our contextualised admissions page.

Please note that General Studies and Critical Thinking are excluded from any A-Level offer and cannot be considered.

Non-UK students

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit International Admissions for full details.

English language

Find out more about our English language entry requirements, including the types of test we accept and the scores needed for entry to the programme.

You may also be able to meet the English language requirement for your programme by joining a summer pre-sessional programme before starting your degree.

Further information

See our general undergraduate entry requirements.

Funding

Loans and grants

UK students accepted onto this course are eligible to apply for tuition fee and maintenance loans from Student Finance England or other government bodies.

Scholarships and bursaries

Queen Mary offers a generous package of scholarships and bursaries, which currently benefits around 50 per cent of our undergraduates.

Scholarships are available for home, EU and international students. Specific funding is also available for students from the local area. International students may be eligible for a fee reduction. We offer means-tested funding, as well as subject-specific funding for many degrees.

Find out what scholarships and bursaries are available to you.

Support from Queen Mary

We offer specialist support on all financial and welfare issues through our Advice and Counselling Service, which you can access as soon as you have applied for a place at Queen Mary.

Take a look at our Student Advice Guides which cover ways to finance your degree, including:

  • additional sources of funding
  • planning your budget and cutting costs
  • part-time and vacation work
  • money for lone parents.

Careers

We’ve always got your future in mind. As part of our Actuarial Professional Development module, which you’ll take in your first and second year, professional actuaries come to campus to talk about their career path. Past speakers have worked at organisations including the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, EY, Aviva and the Financial Conduct Authority. Students studying within The School of Mathematical Sciences have secured placements at EY, Goldman Sachs and Renault. 

After graduating, you might work as an actuarial analyst, auditor, actuarial consultant or data science consultant. This career path is the perfect way to turn numbers into new insights and shape understanding of risk. 

Career support

The School of Mathematical Sciences provides networking opportunities and runs events to help you identify potential career options. You can also gain certification in applications such as Microsoft Excel and SAS (Statistical Analysis Software). We have a dedicated careers consultant and an internships coordinator.

The Queen Mary careers team can also offer:

  • specialist advice on choosing a career path
  • support with finding work experience, internships and graduate jobs
  • feedback on CVs, cover letters and application forms
  • interview coaching.

 

Data for these courses

Actuarial Science - BSc (Hons)

Mathematics with Foundation - BSc (Hons)

Actuarial Science with Professional Placement - BSc (Hons)

Actuarial Science with Year Abroad - BSc (Hons)

The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats)

About the School

With over 60 academic staff passionate about mathematics, the School of Mathematical Sciences is an exciting place to be for those who share our love of mathematical discovery. We foster a thriving research culture and a supportive learning environment that puts the needs of our students first.

Our aim is to make your studies enjoyable, challenging and rewarding, and to provide you with every opportunity to build the knowledge and experience you need for future success.

Our active Mathematics Society organises social events, residential trips, talks and career events. We are also engaged in the wider community and regularly run interactive activities to encourage more students to take mathematics at A-level and degree level.

The School holds a department-level Athena SWAN Bronze award, which recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in mathematics and science education and research.

Back to top