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.
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