Actuarial Science

Overview

Ready to Turn Your Quantitative Talent into a Rewarding Career as an Actuary?



Do you have a strong quantitative background and a passion for solving real-world business challenges? Actuaries are in high demand, enjoying one of the most respected and well-paid careers in insurance, pensions, finance and consultancy. With a 300+ year history of tackling complex business and societal problems, the actuarial profession offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible impact while advancing your career.



Fast-Track Your Future with Our MSc in Actuarial Science.



Our MSc in Actuarial Science is a professional, conversion-focused programme designed to equip ambitious individuals with the skills, knowledge, and network to launch a successful actuarial career. Delivered by Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast, a prestigious Russell Group institution, this programme offers up to six exemptions from the professional exams required to qualify as an actuary through the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA).



If you're a recent graduate with a strong foundation in a quantitative discipline ready to pivot into a high-impact role, this employer-focused MSc is your gateway to a dynamic and rewarding career.



Course Structure

The MSc Actuarial Science is a full-time postgraduate programme aimed primarily at students with quantitative undergraduate degrees from the disciplines of maths, statistics, finance or any other programme with a high degree of mathematical content.



The programme encompasses modules across the areas of actuarial mathematics, statistics, economics and finance, to provide graduates with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career as an actuary. This programme will provide students who have not undertaken an undergraduate Actuarial Science degree with the opportunity to accrue exemptions from six of the earlier Institute and Faculty of Actuaries’ IFoA professional exams (CM1-2, CB1-2 and CS1-2) in addition to undertaking postgraduate study.



Students pursuing a career in Actuarial Science should enjoy working with numbers, be effective communicators and work well with people as they will have to analyse and interpret financial and other information to meet the needs of different users, including clients, executive directors and investors.

Semester 1

Actuarial Mathematics 1

Actuarial Statistics

Corporate Finance

Economics



Semester 2

Actuarial Mathematics 2

Statistics for Insurance

Actuarial Modelling

Computational Methods in Finance



Semester 3

Applied Research Project

Graduate

Normally a 2.1 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a highly quantitative discipline such as Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, Computer Science, Actuarial Science or Economics. This MSc requires prior mathematical knowledge therefore a strong performance in quantitative modules with mathematical content is required. Applicants must normally have achieved 2:1 standard or above in relevant modules such as Calculus; Linear Algebra; Differential equations; Probability; Statistics; Econometrics.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible and ideally no later than 15th August 2025 for courses which commence in late September. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the application portal against the programme application page.



Please note: international applicants will be required to pay a deposit to secure a place on this course.

1 year full-time

Entry Year: 2025/26

Career Prospects

Employment after the Course

Actuaries are constantly in demand and their skills are continually included in highly skilled occupation listings and for skills in demand listings. The Bureau of Labour Statistics project that employment of actuaries is expected to increase by 20% between 2018 and 2028.



Actuaries primarily work in insurance and financial services, which are heavily regulated and require a number of statutory disclosures. Graduates from the Actuarial Science programme obtain employment across the world, but particularly in Dublin and London. Dublin has seen an influx of financial services companies either entering the market for the first time or increasing their footprint in Ireland, as a result of the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union. Another primary driver for the demand for actuaries has been changes in legislation. A recent example is the implementation of Solvency II for the insurance industry, which caused a spike in the demand for actuaries and enabled actuaries to develop new transferable skills. Furthermore, the International Accounting Standards Board has published the new accounting standard for insurance contracts, IFRS 17. This standard was implemented in 2023 and there is a healthy demand for actuaries to help insurance companies embed the standard.



Finally, with the growth in data science and Insurtech, new, more technology based opportunities are available for actuaries. Rather than automation being a threat for actuaries, these new tools will enable actuaries to help their clients make better decisions, which contribute to the positive outlook for actuaries in the long term.