Actuarial Science

Actuarial science is the application of mathematics, statistics, and financial theory to the assessment and management of risk, particularly in insurance, pensions, and financial services. Actuaries evaluate and manage financial risks, helping organisations understand what might go wrong, how likely it is, and what the financial consequences could be. It is a technically demanding discipline that draws on probability theory, statistical modelling, financial economics, and the legal and regulatory frameworks of the industries in which actuaries practise.

At the University of Kent, this three-year full-time degree is taught by professional actuaries and internationally renowned statisticians, ensuring that the programme is closely aligned with the requirements of the profession. You will study probability and statistics, financial mathematics, economics, and the mathematical methods used to model and manage risk across life insurance, general insurance, and pensions. The programme is designed with the professional actuarial examinations in mind, and students who perform well can gain exemptions from some of the examinations set by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, reducing the time and effort needed to qualify after graduation.

Entry typically requires around 104 UCAS tariff points.

Actuaries work primarily in insurance companies, consultancies, banks, and pension funds, where their ability to quantify risk and inform financial decisions is highly valued. The profession offers strong salaries and clear career progression, and qualified actuaries are among the most sought-after professionals in the financial services sector. Graduates who do not enter the actuarial profession also find that the rigorous quantitative skills the degree develops are valued in data science, finance, economics, and research.