Postgraduate Diploma Actuarial Science at University of Essex

Programme overview

The Postgraduate Diploma Actuarial Science is a nine-month full-time course based on the syllabus of most of the core subjects of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, covering CM2 (Financial Engineering and Loss Reserving), CS2 (Risk Modelling and Survival Analysis) and, depending on the option chosen, CB1 (Business Finance). It trains students in actuarial modelling and analysis.

Department: School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science | Duration: 9 months full-time | Intake: October 2027 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Colchester, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Compulsory modules include Finance and Financial Reporting, Contingencies I and II, Financial Mathematics, Stochastic Processes and Survival Analysis (15 credits each), plus 30 credits of options; students can specialise in actuarial and financial modelling, general insurance or life insurance.

Career pathways

Graduates are expected to become actuaries in a range of industries, including insurance, healthcare, pensions, investment and banking.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A 2:2 degree or international equivalent in Applied Mathematics, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Economic Statistics, Economics, Mathematics, Operational Research, Pure Mathematics or Statistics; OR any other 2:2 degree including three modules (one from advanced/engineering maths, calculus or maths; one from advanced/engineering maths, maths, statistics or probability; and one additional relevant module such as algebra, analysis, differential equations, numerical methods, optimisation, programming in R/MATLAB/Python, regression or stochastic processes). Applicants below 2:2 are considered depending on relevant professional or voluntary experience and previous modules. English: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all components (pre-sessional English pathway available).

Domestic applicants: GBP 9,280 for the whole programme. Nine-month course; fee period not labelled on the page Source

International applicants: GBP 20,060 for the whole programme. Nine-month course; fee period not labelled on the page Source

Intake: October 2027

Duration: 9 months full-time

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