Actuary
55AI EXPOSURE TODAY55
20-YEAR SCENARIO
NOT A FORECAST93%
NOT A FORECAST93%
THE DOOR · ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAYC
STARTING PAY£30,000 - £38,000
REGULATORY MOATThe law requires human oversight. That human could be you.
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CAREERMASH (EN)FROM MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES →
Actuary
Actuaries use maths and statistics to work out the likelihood of events like illness, accidents or death, then use that to help insurance companies and pension funds make safe financial plans.
THE DOOR: ENTRY DIFFICULTY TODAY, graded A (easy) to E (extremely hard). A Careermash rule-of-thumb index built from our AI exposure index and the job's moat class. It is not a forecast and not a count of job openings.
AI EXPOSURE TODAY is a Careermash index from 0 to 100 of how exposed this job's everyday tasks are to AI today. We estimate it by matching published research on how people use AI to this job, usually by keyword or subject area, and we lower it where the work is protected (for example by physical, personal or legal requirements). It is not a direct measurement of how much people in this job use AI.
AI is doing more of the routine, the core still needs you
AI exposure is high here (55 on our index), but the law requires human oversight. That human could be you. That part is not going away. Get fluent with the tools, and lean hard into the part of the job that structurally needs a person.
Career progression path
Is this the only route?
This is the standard academic trajectory, but modern careers are highly flexible. You can often skip stagesby entering the industry with an advanced qualification (like a Master's or PhD), or pivot sideways from a related discipline.
0ACADEMIC FOUNDATIONUniversity DegreeUsually 3 to 4 years of full-time academic study, explicitly preparing you for the theoretical realities of the industry. Requires A-Levels, BTECs, or equivalent Level 3.-£67,350Avg. UK tuition & living
1FIRST STEPJunior ActuaryIn this entry-level role, you will assist senior actuaries in data analysis and model development, gaining practical experience while working towards your professional qualifications.£30,000 - £38,000
2GAINING EXPERIENCEMid-level ActuaryAs a mid-level actuary, you will take on more complex projects, lead analyses, and begin to specialise in areas such as pensions or insurance.£50,000 - £65,000
3PEAK CAREERSenior Actuary/Head of Actuarial FunctionIn this peak career role, you will oversee actuarial teams, drive strategic initiatives, and play a key role in shaping the organisation's risk management policies.£90,000+
The degree route
Courses in this career's subject area, from the live library of 35,000; every one is AI impact assessed through its actual graduate destinations.
🎓Mathematics and Computer Science with an Industrial YearBirmingham Community Healthcare Nhs Foundation Trust · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£40,000 median
🎓Mathematics with Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceThe University of Leicester · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£35,500 median
🎓Financial MathematicsThe University of Surrey · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£33,000 median
🎓Mathematics (4 years)University of Southampton · the card page · will AI take its jobs?£33,000 median
All Mathematical Sciences courses as cards →
Degree subjects that lead this way
Courses in this career's subject area, from the same register that priced the degree above. Subject-matched, not a guaranteed qualifying route: check each course's own entry requirements and any professional accreditation before you rely on it.
Data ScienceUniversity College London · DegreeStatisticsUniversity College London · DegreeMathematics and Computer Science with an Industrial YearBirmingham Community Healthcare Nhs Foundation Trust · DegreeMathematics with Data Science and Artificial IntelligenceThe University of Leicester · DegreeFinancial MathematicsThe University of Surrey · DegreeMathematics (4 years)University of Southampton · Degree