Mathematics with Actuarial Science (BSc) drafted
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Ranked Top 15 in the UK for Mathematics and 12th for Graduate Prospects (Complete University Guide 2022).
Actuaries are the world’s financial architects and engineers. Their expertise is vital to the management of pension funds, general insurance companies and investment by financial institutions. On this course you’ll learn how to tackle the uncertainties of future events using mathematics, probability and statistics to create models and simulations. This degree will provide you with the technical skills needed for a career as an actuary.
The BSc Mathematics with Actuarial Science degree combines a programme of maths with key topics from economics, finance and actuarial science. You’ll investigate the applications of mathematics in a variety of contexts.
As part of this course you’ll:
develop analytical and problem-solving skills, alongside expertise in the statistical analysis of risk
specialise in statistics and actuarial science
use our
student centre
, a dedicated learning and social space for maths studentsuse mathematical and computational packages such as Python and the statistics package R
You’ll be taught through a combination of lectures and workshops by leading researchers in statistical modelling and experts in actuarial and financial mathematics.
Program Outline
This course provides a thorough programme of education in mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science. Alongside core topics from mathematics and statistics, the course includes the IFoA core principle subjects. You can choose between many final year options in line with your interests and career aims.
You don't need to select your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.
Year 1 overview
You'll cover fundamentals like linear algebra and calculus. While calculus may already be familiar, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the underlying ideas, before moving on to extend these ideas into higher dimensions. Linear algebra develops yours skills in accurately manipulating vectors and matrices. You'll also begin your study of statistics and random variables and get a taste operational research. Alongside these topics you'll study both micro and macroeconomics, beginning your training for the IFoA actuarial qualifications.
Year 2 overview
You’ll continue to study core topics from mathematics such as differential equations and deepen your study of statistics. This includes statistical distributions and statistical modelling.
You’ll also learn about stochastic processes. These are random processes used for modelling life expectancy or the value of an investment portfolio.
Modules also cover accounting and economics and financial mathematics. You'll learn how compound interest theory applies to mortgages and commercial loans, and about securities evaluation and investment projects appraisal.
Year 3 overview
In your final year, you'll study actuarial mathematics, learning about long-term financial transactions such as life assurance or annuities. You'll also learn about mathematical finance, survival models and statistical methods in insurance.
There are also a broad range of optional modules to choose from. You can further extend your expertise in probability and statistics, studying inference or the design of statistical experiments.
Alternatively, you can pick topics such as optimisation, international banking, or even music or modern languages.
You’ll also undertake a project, choosing from:
maths and your future: working in small teams to analyse data and apply your mathematical learning to a problem raised by a local or national employer
mathematical investigation and communication: applying your mathematical and actuarial skills to topics such as the estimation of survivor functions or analysing risk for a financial portfolio
Want more detail?
See all the modules in the course.
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For Academic year 202324
A-levels
AAA or AABB including Mathematics (grade A)
A-levels additional information
Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking.
If an additional Mathematics qualification (STEP grade 2/MAT/TMUA) is taken alongside three A-levels then the offer will be AAB including Mathematics (grade A). We accept any of the three STEP papers. For more details about the STEP and TMUA papers see the Admissions Testing Service Website.
More information about A-levelsA-levels with Extended Project Qualification
If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB including Mathematics (grade A) and grade A in the EPQ
A-levels contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: AAB including Mathematics (grade A)
or
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 points from Higher Level Mathematics (Preferred Mathematics module is Analysis and Approaches, but Applications and Interpretation also considered)
More information about International Baccalaureate DiplomaInternational Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement
Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
or
BTEC
D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels including Mathematics.
DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in A level Mathematics.
We do not accept BTEC National Extended Diploma unless A level Mathematics is taken alongside this qualification. If it has, the offer would be DDD plus A in A level Mathematics.
RQF BTEC
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Additional information
Applicants who have not studied mathematics at A-level can apply for the
Engineering/Physics/Mathematics Foundation Year
More information about BTECQCF BTEC
D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels including Mathematics.
DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A in A level Mathematics.
We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma unless A level Mathematics is taken alongside this qualification. If it has, the offer would be DDD plus A in A level Mathematics.
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
orEntry requirements filter options
Show more entry requirementsAccess to HE Diploma Irish Leaving Certificate Scottish Qualification offers Cambridge Pre-U Welsh Baccalaureate
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, all of which must be at Distinction
Access to HE additional information
Mathematics must be studied to level 3, A-level standard to be considered
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics at H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A1 including Mathematics
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the
University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF)
for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including Mathematics
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAA from 3 A levels including Mathematics or AA from two A levels including Mathematics and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer
We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.
Other requirements
UK students
International students
Other ways to qualify
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the
equivalent international qualifications
for our entry requirements.English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
overall score
6.5
reading
6.0
writing
6.0
speaking
6.0
listening
6.0
We accept other English language tests.
Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
our
Access to Southampton scheme
for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as
recognition of prior learning
)Find out more about our
Admissions Policy
.Students requiring a visa to study in the UK
In addition to the University’s own English language proficiency requirements, the UK Home Office sets its own minimum standards for applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK. The current requirements are that:
English Language Tests
The University of Southampton accepts the following UKVI Secure English Language Tests:
Secure English Language Tests
must be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date
as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.The University of Southampton also accepts the following English Language Tests:
Tests taken at a centralised test centre/venue:
iBT
(Test of English as a Foreign Language) The University of Southampton does not recognise MyBest scores and will only accept scores taken in one sitting within the 2 years immediately preceding the programme start date. Please note, we currently do not accept the TOEFLiBT
Paper Edition.Tests taken at home:
Non-SELT English Language Tests
must usually be dated within the two years immediately preceding the programme start date
as set out in any offer letter issued by the University.
Notes:
* You must present both certificates for the LanguageCert Level 1 Certificate in ESOL International (Bands FY, A, B, C, D, E) and the LanguageCert Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Bands F, G, H, I)
The University does not recognise any test not listed above.
