MSc Actuarial Science

The MSc in Actuarial Science at Strathclyde has been developed to give students wishing to move into the actuarial profession a strong foundation in the statistical concepts, models and techniques used in actuarial calculations, their computer implementations, and the financial and economic contexts of these calculations.

The programme is an innovative cross-faculty alliance between the Strathclyde Business School and the Faculty of Science. 

The course is designed so that students with a strong aptitude for mathematics and statistics who have not studied these topics in detail in their undergraduate degree can gain the necessary skills to move into the financial industry. It's intended as a conversion course, teaching statistics, economics and finance material. It does not currently include specialist actuarial mathematics content (which will be studied in the professional actuarial examinations).

Our Actuarial Science Masters produces graduates well equipped to apply for trainee actuary positions. Students reaching a sufficiently high level in core classes will be eligible for exemption from two of the professional examinations of the IFoA, namely CS1 and CB2.

Academic requirements

Minimum second-class honours degree or international equivalent in:

• engineering

• science subjects (e.g., physics, chemistry or computing science)

• business subjects (e.g., business studies, accounting or economics)

Prospective students with relevant experience or appropriate professional qualifications are also welcome to apply.

For Australia and Canada, average degrees in relevant disciplines are accepted.

Mathematical knowledge

Some prior mathematical knowledge is required, for example:

• A level or equivalent or undergraduate classes in:

  • Calculus

  • Linear Algebra

  • Differential equations

  • Probability

  • Statistics

20 hours of work permit weekly for international students.