Actuarial Science, BSc (Hons)

About Actuarial Science, BSc (Hons) - at Heriot-Watt University

Our Actuarial Science degree is ideal if you're interested in maths and looking for a course that offers a rewarding career - both intellectually and financially. As 30% of teaching staff are qualified actuaries, this degree also offers current teaching that's always applicable to the real workplace and current economy. There are also opportunities for industry placements and an exchange year in Canada or Australia.

Results from the latest Destinations of Leavers of Higher Education (DLHE) survey show that 85% of our Mathematics and Statistics (including Actuarial Science) graduates are employed with a graduate position, or continuing further studies.

Student satisfaction

95% of our 2017 graduates reported in the National Student Survey that they were satisfied overall with their Actuarial degree.

Accreditation

Our Actuarial Science degree is one of only a few to be accredited by the UK actuarial profession. A good performance can mean exemptions from professional examinations (CT1-CT8) too, giving you an advantage over students on other mathematics courses.

Graduates who go on to qualify as actuaries with the Society of Actuaries in North America can get credit from some of the SOA examinations on the basis of exemptions from the IfoA examinations. 

Center of Actuarial Excellence

Heriot-Watt University is recognised as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries (SOA), North America. We are the only Center of Actuarial Excellence in Europe and one of only 30 other schools worldwide with this designation. With roots dating back to 1889, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the world's largest actuarial professional organization with more than 28,000 actuaries as members.

Watch a video

Visit our YouTube channel to watch short videos from our students and graduates, and see an example of a lecture at Heriot-Watt.

Student Actuarial Society

Heriot-Watt has a very active Students' Actuarial Society which won several awards at a recent Heriot-Watt 'Oscars' ceremony. This body is completely managed, enthusiastically and professionally, by our students. With over 250 members, it is one of the largest societies dedicated to actuarial studies in the UK. Regular conferences, professional development and networking events with leading actuaries keep students up-to-date with the profession and in a prime position to begin their careers.

PwC Actuarial Flying Start programme

The opportunity of a lifetime! The PwC Actuarial Flying Start programme offers, uniquely to Heriot-Watt University's Actuarial Science students, two six-month, paid, PwC work placements during Years Three and Five. It's the perfect way to gain valuable industry experience during your time at university. As an Actuarial Science student at Heriot-Watt University, you will have the opportunity to apply for this programme in Year Two. If successful, you'll join PwC's actuarial team in London and work directly with their clients - helping them plan for uncertainty as well as identifying, quantifying and managing their risks. They are known for the outstanding training they provide to graduates and if you do well, you could also get a job offer for when you graduate. Don't miss out!

Employability

Work and study

This is what our BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science students are doing six months after graduating:

• 85% are working
• 0% are studying
• 15% are working and studying.

Managerial/professional position

• 90% of those working are in a professional/managerial position six months after graduating.

Salary

• The average salary of students six months after graduating: £29000
• The average UK salary of students six months after graduating from a similar course: £23000

Jobs

These are the most common jobs students go into six months after graduating:

• Business, research and administrative professionals
• Business and public service associate professionals
• Elementary occupations

Notes about fees for this course

Status*Scotland / EU**England / Northern Ireland / WalesInternationalFeePaid by SAAS£9,250£14,200

* Your residency 'status' is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course. Find out more about tuition fees.

** European Union countries, not including England, Northern Ireland or Wales.

Scholarships and bursaries

Featured scholarships

Bursaries for students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales starting undergraduate degree courses in 2018

In addition to government maintenance loans and grants towards the costs of fees and living costs, we are offering generous financial support to attract and support eligible students from England, Northern Ireland or Wales:

• Heriot-Watt University Bursary (up to £3,100 per year)
• Heriot-Watt Academic Scholarship (£1,000 per year)

View our full range of undergraduate scholarships.

Entry requirements

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