BSc Actuarial Science and Mathematics / Course details

The BSc Actuarial Science and Mathematics programme is accredited by the Institute  and Faculty of Actuaries. Students graduating from the programme may be recommended for exemption from the CS1, CS2, CM1, CB1 and CB2 subjects depending on the performance in a particular set of course units. The course gives a firm foundation in Mathematics, together with specialist course units in Actuarial Science whilst giving you the opportunity to develop team working, communication and leadership skills.

The mathematical skills involved include most of the topics taught to students on the first year of the specialist mathematics degree i.e. covering aspects of pure and applied mathematics and statistics as well as some more general mathematics. As the course progresses, the statistical topics are explored in more detail. Courses in all areas of mathematics are used as a basis for some of the actuarial units.

Although the mathematics topics are more prevalent in the early years of the programme, there are opportunities to select from a wide range of mathematics options in the final year.

The actuarial topics start off with Economics, followed by Finance, and then consider the various actuarial models and contingencies used in the profession.

Supporting skills include options in leadership, enterprise and sustainable energy. These can be taken as options with alternatives including a wide range of mathematics units.

• Small group teaching is a significant part of the first year.
• A wide range of options is available in the third year.
• All undergraduate students have affiliate membership of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
• Students have an opportunity to spend a year on a work based placement. This gives an opportunity to gain invaluable work based experience and learn more about themselves and the workplace so that they are better able to make good choices about a career post-graduation. Many students who have a year placement are taken on by the same employer once they have finished their studies. The placement happens after two years study, with the student returning after their placement year to take their third year here.  Whilst students wanting to take the work based placement are responsible for finding their own placement, they will be supported in this through a special programme set up to help them. This will be done by working closely with dedicated advisers from the Careers Service and support and mentoring within the Department. 

Most teaching takes the form of lectures, with various support classes (example classes, small group tutorials or sessions in one of the computer clusters) to help you get to grips with the material, exploring topics and working on examples set by the lecturers.

Most course units have some continual assessment (which may be, for instance, a combination of homework and in-class tests), which is put together with the result of an end-of-semester examination to provide the final mark. Some course units (such as a project) are assessed entirely by your submitted work during the semester. The class of your degree is normally based on only your last two years' work.

You can read some student profiles in our Undergraduate Brochure or on the Department of Mathematics website .

The Department of Mathematics is based in the brand new, purpose built £40 million Alan Turing Building, set at the heart of the University Campus.  Students benefit from extensive facilities for computing and study, relaxation and refreshment, in an attractive, light and comfortable environment.  Computing: The Department of Mathematics has a number of computer clusters that run the standard software as well as powerful mathematical and statistical software, such as Matlab, Minitab and Mathematica.  All our students have free access to email and the internet.  Other larger clusters are available in the University libraries and clusters are situated in most Halls of Residence; most student rooms also have Ethernet connection.  Library: You will have access to the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, one of the largest and best-equipped libraries in the UK.  A special section of this library provides a short loan facility, where you can reliably obtain textbooks that are recommended for particular courses and borrow them on an overnight basis.  The Department of Mathematics also houses a mathematical library of more advanced books and other material used mainly by research students and staff.