3-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate in Science and Health - Continue to Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Actuarial Science (Placement Year)

For students who've finished high school but don’t meet the entry requirements for university, a Foundation Certificate can help them gain entry to an undergraduate degree. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree at the University of Essex.

A student’s course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. Students taking a course longer than 2 terms, will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

Bachelor of Science (Honours) - Actuarial Science

Actuarial science teaches students the art of turning risks into opportunities. Actuaries provide assessments of financial security systems, with a focus on their complexity, their mathematics, and their mechanisms. Students benefit from an excellent starting salary, with graduates earning upwards of £30,000 on average.

The BSc Actuarial Science encourages students to delve into their passions for mathematics and practical problem-solving. The attractive blend of solid mathematics, an understanding of real-world financial issues, and computing skills provide students with the core skills essential for entering the actuarial profession. They learn the theory and methods used by professional actuaries; on how to apply mathematical and statistical skills to minimize financial risk when the stakes are high, in areas such as commerce, government, insurance and finance.

Study topics including:

• Mathematical finance • Financial reporting • Contingencies, risk management and survival analysis • Pure and applied mathematics • Statistics

Professional actuaries in the insurance industry, including influential businesses AXA and Buck Consultants, contribute to our employability module and also host students at their offices to show them typical challenges that actuaries face.

As part of our Department of Mathematical Sciences, students are members of an inclusive and approachable research community which allows them to explore topics in pure, high-level mathematics and applied mathematics.

Professional accreditation Accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.