Applied Actuarial Science with an Industrial Placement (International Master's) - MSc

Teaching

Teaching and assessment

Assessment is a combination of coursework and written examinations.

Programme aims

This programme aims to:

• provide you with eligibility for subject exemptions from the Core Principle, Core Practices and Specialist Principle series of examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. This means obtaining a thorough knowledge of core actuarial applications, developing the ability to apply this knowledge in a practical situation and gaining current knowledge and understanding of the practice of major areas in which actuaries are involved
• develop your understanding, knowledge and awareness of current problems, much of which is at the forefront of current professional practice
• ensure you are competent in the use of information technology, and are familiar with computers, together with the relevant software.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You will gain knowledge and understanding of:

• complex techniques applicable to the solution of problems in all the major areas of current professional actuarial practice
• complex current issues in all the major areas of current professional practice.

Intellectual skills

You develop intellectual skills in:

• the ability to demonstrate a high level of understanding of the main body of knowledge for the programme
• the ability to demonstrate skill in calculation and manipulation of the material written within the programme
• the ability to apply a range of concepts and principles in various contexts
• the ability for logical argument
• the ability to demonstrate advanced skills in solving problems in complex situations by various appropriate methods 
• the ability to work with relatively little guidance.

Subject-specific skills

You gain subject-specific skills in:

• the specific mathematical and statistical techniques used in actuarial science, and in their application to solving actuarial problems
• understanding the practical applications of programme material in insurance.

Transferable skills

You will gain the following transferable skills:

• communication: the ability to organise information clearly, respond to written sources, present information orally, adapt style for different audiences and use images as a communication tool
• numeracy: make sense of statistical materials, integrate numerical and non-numerical information, understand the limits and potentialities of arguments based on quantitative information
• information technology: produce written documents, undertake online research, communicate using email
• improve your own learning: explore your personal strengths and weaknesses, time management, review your working environment (especially the student-staff relationship), develop specialist learning skills (eg foreign languages), develop autonomy in learning
• problem-solving: identify and define problems, explore alternative solutions and discriminate between them
• working with others: define and review the work of others, work co-operatively on group tasks, understand how groups function
• make sound judgements
• make decisions in complex situations.

Careers

The UK Actuarial Profession

The UK Actuarial Profession is small, but influential and well rewarded. There are more than 6,500 actuaries currently employed in the UK, the majority of whom work in insurance companies and consultancy practices.

Survey results published by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries suggest that the average basic salary for a student actuary is £35,936 with pay and bonuses increasingly sharply as you become more experienced. The average basic salary of a Chief Actuary is £206,236.

As an actuary, your work is extremely varied and can include: advising companies on the amount of funds to set aside for employee pension payments; designing new insurance policies and setting premium rates; pricing financial derivatives and working in fund management and quantitative investment research; advising life insurance companies on he distribution of surplus funds; and estimating the effects of possible major disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, and setting premium rates for insurance against such disasters. For more information about the actuarial profession, see www.actuaries.org.uk

Employability support

Helping our students to develop strong employability skills is a key objective within the School and the University. We provide a wide range of services and support to equip you with transferable vocational skills that enable you to secure appropriate professional positions within industry. Within the School we run specialist seminars and provide advice on creating a strong CV, making job applications and successfully attending interviews and assessment centres.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the actuarial, finance, insurance and risk sectors.

Professional recognition

Fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Students who achieve a high enough overall mark can obtain exemptions from the professional examinations included within their studies.

Study support

Postgraduate resources

The University’s Templeman Library houses a comprehensive collection of books and research periodicals. The University of Kent has entered into an exclusive arrangement with SunGard, a global leader in integrated software and processing solutions primarily for financial services, who market the industry’s leading actuarial software package PROPHET. As a result, our taught postgraduate courses include optional modules on the uses and applications of PROPHET.

Professional qualifications

This International Master’s offers exemptions from within the Core Principle stage in the first year and exemptions from the Core Practices and Specialist Principle stages in the second year of the programme.

The MSc in Actuarial Science offers exemptions from subjects within the Core Principle Stage of the professional examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

The MSc in Applied Actuarial Science offers exemptions from subjects in the Core Practices Stage and the Specialist Principle Stage of the professional examinations.

Links with industry

The Centre for Actuarial Science, Risk and Investment maintains close relationships with industry actuaries through the Invicta Actuarial Society, a regional actuarial society which holds its meetings at the Canterbury campus and is organised by University of Kent students and academic staff. The Society hosts an annual lecture in conjunction with the Worshipful Company of Actuaries, featuring prestigious speakers from industry and the profession. The Society also arranges talks from external speakers including practitioners, careers advisers and recruiters from the UK and overseas.

Dynamic publishing culture

Staff publish regularly and widely in journals, conference proceedings and books. Among others, they have recently contributed to: British Actuarial Journal; Actuary Australia; Annals of Actuarial Science; Journal of Pension Economics and Finance. Details of recently published books can be found under staff research interests.

Global Skills Award

All students registered for a taught Master's programme are eligible to apply for a place on our Global Skills Award Programme. The programme is designed to broaden your understanding of global issues and current affairs as well as to develop personal skills which will enhance your employability.