Mathematics and data · Business and finance
Actuarial science
BSc
Overview
Actuarial science applies probability and statistics to financial risk, especially insurance and pensions. A dedicated degree may earn exemptions from some professional exams. A mathematics degree followed by the same professional exams is the other standard route. The degree is not the full professional qualification. Students who enjoy it like mathematics that is immediately about money and uncertainty, and they are willing to sit professional exams after graduation.
You are aiming at actuarial work and want the professional exams in view from the start.
Accounting is a different profession. Mathematics keeps more options open.
People who like probability and financial problems.
What you will study
Universities do not teach the same modules. The lists below are a general shape, not a syllabus.
Year 1
- Probability
- Calculus
- Economics or finance
Later years
- Life contingencies
- Statistics
- Financial mathematics
Skills
Useful before you start
- Mathematics
- Precision
Developed during the degree
- Probability
- Financial modelling
- Professional exam technique
Teaching and assessment
Teaching often includes Lectures, Problem classes.
Assessment often includes Exams, Coursework.
Typical weekly commitment
Estimate.
Entry requirements
Indicative patterns from published UK admissions information. Not an offer. Actual requirements vary by course, university and year. Pearson Edexcel International A Level and Cambridge International A Level are not treated as the same qualification as GCE A level.
Indicative requirements by qualification
The A-level band is the catalogue reference. IB and American lines come from the named university guides under the table. They are not a conversion every university uses, and they are not an offer.
| Qualification | Indicative requirements |
|---|---|
| A Levels | AAB–AAA. Mathematics is required. |
| IB Diploma | UCL publishes 36 points for AAB and 38 for AAA, including 17 or 18 across three Higher Level subjects. A required A-level subject must be Higher Level in UCL's rule. Each Higher Level subject in that table is at least 5. UCL equates A* to 7, A to 6 and B to 5. This is one university's table. |
| American curriculum | That Manchester guide gives AP 5, 5, 4 for AAB and AP 5, 5, 5 for AAA, with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bristol publishes a GPA of 3.2, or 3.4 for competitive courses, and does not use one AP pattern for every degree. Where a course asks for mathematics, Bristol requires AP Calculus BC at 5. |
- University College London: Undergraduate entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, School of Social Sciences: Americas country guide. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Manchester, Civil Engineering: USA country entry requirements. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
- University of Bristol: USA international qualifications. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Not a universal rule.
A-level subjects
Mathematics is required.
Often recommended: Further Mathematics.
Useful preparation: Economics.
GCSE and IGCSE
Mathematics and often a science at GCSE or IGCSE are commonly requested for engineering and computing. Grades vary. International qualifications are not automatically accepted as the UK version.
Indicative only. This subject is often selective because the cohort is mathematical.
Other ways in
- Professional actuarial exams continue after the degree.
- Exemptions are course-specific and change.
Admissions tests and extra requirements
TMUA
Used by some courses only. A mathematics reasoning test.
Selected mathematics, economics, computer science and related courses. The list changes by year.
Checked 2026-10-14.
Official test site
Course costs
For many standard full-time courses in England, the home-fee maximum in 2026 to 2027 is Up to £9,790. This is the maximum standard full-time fee published for approved English providers with a TEF award and an access and participation plan. It is not the fee a named university charges, and it does not decide whether you pay home or international fees.
Clinical, laboratory and studio courses are not given a different home-fee figure here, because the regulated maximum is not the same thing as an international or clinical fee.
International tuition is set by each university and is not stored here. Clinical courses are often much higher than classroom-based courses. A school in Qatar does not decide home-fee status.
Source: Changes to tuition fees: 2026 to 2027 academic year. Retrieved 2026-10-14. Living costs, field trips and professional fees are not included.
Where you could study
UK degrees in this subject are numerous. This page does not list every university, because a list without a checked entry requirement would look more certain than it is.
No individual UK course page is stored yet for this subject. Use the university site.
No overseas course has been checked for this subject yet.
Where could this degree take you?
Actuary
Direct qualifying route
A direct academic route. Mathematics plus professional exams is equally established.
Investment analyst
Alternative route
Relevant quantitative training. Not a dedicated investment qualification.
Explore your pathway
A course sits between school subjects and a career. It does not guarantee either admission or a job.