Licence en Sciences Actuarielles (avec mention)

Overview

Successful actuaries use mathematical skill and business acumen to solve financial problems related to risk and uncertainty.

This degree combines the expertise of the York Management School and the Department of Mathematics, giving you access to world-class academics at the cutting edge of research in their fields.

You'll sharpen your mathematical skills and statistical reasoning, using advanced calculus, algebra, probability and statistics. In parallel you'll study economics, finance and accounting, developing your understanding of the wider context of actuarial work.

On successfully completing this course, you will be a multi-faceted and highly employable graduate with the financial and business skills required to qualify as a professional actuary.

Accreditation

This course is professionally accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Our graduates can claim exemption from core professional exams CM1, CM2, CS1, CS2, CB1 and CB2.

Course content

This course will equip you with knowledge and understanding of the concepts, theories and models of actuarial science.

You'll study mathematical concepts such as probability theory and statistics, as well as business economics, accounting and corporate finance.

You'll learn to use data to model uncertain future events and improve your analytical skills through rigorous mathematical reasoning.

Year 1

Year 1 covers skills and knowledge which you'll use and build on throughout your degree. You'll learn about some key financial and economic concepts and develop your core mathematical skills.

Year 2

In your second year, you'll continue to develop your mathematical skills in probability and statistics. We'll introduce you to some key actuarial concepts and a variety of actuarial modelling techniques.

Year 3

In your final year, you'll learn advanced methods of statistical analysis and explore more sophisticated mathematical approaches to modelling financial and actuarial processes. You'll also choose an option module to ground your actuarial knowledge in a management context.

Learning by design

Every course at York has been designed to provide clear and ambitious learning outcomes. These learning outcomes give you an understanding of what you will be able to do at the end of the course. We develop each course by designing modules that grow your abilities towards the learning outcomes and help you to explain what you can offer to employers.

Teaching format

Our modules are taught by leading academics from the Department of Mathematics and the York Management School. We use a wide range of teaching methods to suit different learning styles, including:

• Lectures
• Small-group seminars
• Problem classes
• Activity-based workshops
• Directed independent study
• Group projects
• Individual projects

This course has a strong practical focus, allowing you to apply and develop your skills. Our courses are designed to encourage you to take responsibility for your own learning and development, but with all the support you need available from our academics.

Careers and skills

This course provides a combination of high-level mathematical skills and cutting edge financial and business theory which is sought after by employers all over the world.

You'll be equipped to engage in high-level mathematical reasoning and open-ended problem solving, with analytical skills applicable to a wide range of management problems.

Career opportunities

Actuarial science graduates work in a wide range of roles related to finance, investment, risk, pensions and insurance. Many progress to actuarial trainee positions at firms such as Mercer, Tower and Watson, Deloitte and PwC.

Transferable skills

• Critical thinking and analysis
• Problem-solving
• Numeracy and data analysis
• Mathematical reasoning
• Time management
• Communication, presentation and reporting to specialist and non-specialist audiences

About the University

Founded on principles of excellence, equality and opportunity for all, the University of York opened in 1963 with just 230 students. Since then we have become one of the world's leading universities, carving out a reputation as an academic powerhouse where a clear focus on excellence has secured national and international recognition alongside longer established institutions.

Academic excellence

A member of the elite Russell Group of universities, we are a dynamic, research-intensive university committed to the development of life-saving discoveries and new technologies to tackle some of the most pressing global challenges.

There are now over 30 academic departments and research centres and the student body has expanded to over 18,000.

The University Strategy

In 2014, in consultation with all staff and students, Vice-Chancellor Koen Lamberts led the development of a new University Strategy. This strategy will guide and inform our activities until 2020.

Key objectives

To be a world leader in research To offer outstanding teaching and learning To offer all our students an outstanding and valuable experience

Supporting objectives

To be sufficiently large to be excellent, resilient and financially sustainable To be organised in the most efficient and effective way To work effectively with other organisations and stakeholders

Awards and achievements

The University of York is one of the success stories in UK higher education. Since our foundation in 1963, we have powered our way to a consistently high ranking in the UK and are one of just six post-war universities to have appeared in the world top 100.

The campus and the city

Located within walking distance of York city centre, our safe and attractive Heslington campus is home to our nine colleges and most of our departments. We also have several departments located in the city centre at the historic King's Manor.

In recent years, our £500m campus expansion has seen the opening of seven new buildings, increasing our capacity for student numbers and providing more world-class facilities for the 21st century. Sustainability plays a key role in this ambitious development.

How the University is run

When describing how the University is run, it is important to understand there is a difference between how it is governed and how it is managed.

Governance

All universities have a governing body that is responsible for overseeing their activities, determining their future direction and monitoring progress against strategic ambitions. The University's governing body is the Council.

Council is also responsible for ensuring we remain financially sustainable and that we meet our legal obligations. It takes the final decision on matters which have a significant impact on the University

Management

While Council takes on a monitoring and oversight role as the governing body, it delegates the operational running of the University to the Acting Vice-Chancellor and President.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and President undertake his responsibilities with the support of his senior colleagues who meet twice a month as the University Executive Board.