Actuarial Science

Actuarial science is the mathematical and statistical discipline concerned with the assessment and management of financial risk over time. Actuaries apply probability theory, statistics, financial mathematics, and economics to help insurance companies, pension funds, banks, and other organisations understand and price the risks they carry, from the likelihood of insurance claims to the long-term funding of pension obligations. The profession is highly regulated, intellectually demanding, and consistently ranked among the most sought-after and well-remunerated graduate careers.

At Queen Mary University of London, this four-year full-time programme develops the mathematical expertise, specialist knowledge, and professional understanding that an actuarial career requires. You will study probability and statistics, financial mathematics, demography, economics, and the actuarial science topics that form the core of the professional examinations. The programme is designed to provide exemptions from a number of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' professional examinations, giving students a strong foundation for the qualification process and reducing the time needed to achieve full actuarial status.

You will develop strong quantitative skills, the ability to handle complex financial models, and the analytical judgment needed to draw meaningful conclusions from large and uncertain datasets.

Actuarial science at Queen Mary combines academic rigour with professional relevance, ensuring that what you study connects directly to the work actuaries do in practice. You will develop both the mathematical depth needed for professional examinations and the broader business and communication skills that actuaries use in client-facing and management roles.

Graduates go on to work as actuaries in life and general insurance, pensions, health, financial services, and management consultancy. The professional qualification process typically continues alongside early career employment. Postgraduate study in actuarial science, statistics, or financial mathematics is an option for those wishing to pursue research or further specialise.