Program Overview

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Overview of the Actuarial Science PhD Program

The PhD in Actuarial Science offers the opportunity to begin or consolidate your research career under the guidance of internationally renowned researchers and professionals in the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (SMSAS). This research program, which can be taken three to four years full-time or five to six years part-time, offers the opportunity to work in highly topical areas such as financial modeling and estimation, quantification of diversification benefits, quantifying financial risks, and derivatives pricing.

Key Information

• Study mode: Full-time or part-time
• Duration: 3 to 4 years full-time, 5 to 6 years part-time
• Start date: September, January, April
• Location: Canterbury

Entry Requirements

• A first or upper second class honors degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent)
• All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications, and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications
• International students: Please see the International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information

English Language Entry Requirements

• This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR
• Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on the English Language requirements webpage
• Examples:
  • IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component
  • PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test
  • A degree from a UK university
  • A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country

Funding

• Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills, and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about
• At Kent, we also recognize the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances
• Scholarships can be broad, or specific to your situation, background, or even country – so please do use our scholarships finder to discover the options available to you

Fees

• The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:
  • Full-time:
    • UK: £5,006
    • EU: £19,300
    • International: £19,300
  • Part-time:
    • UK: £2,503
    • EU: £9,650
    • International: £9,650

Research Areas

• Economic capital and financial risk management
• Longevity risk
• Public policy aspects of risk classification

Staff Research Interests

• Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision
• The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below
• You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application

Your Future

• Helping our students to develop strong employability skills is a key objective within the School and the University
• We provide a wide range of services and support to equip you with transferable vocational skills that enable you to secure appropriate professional positions within industry
• Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the actuarial, finance, insurance, and risk sectors

Study Support

• The University’s Templeman Library houses a comprehensive collection of books and research periodicals
• The University of Kent has entered into an exclusive arrangement with SunGard, a global leader in integrated software and processing solutions primarily for financial services, who market the industry’s leading actuarial software package PROPHET
• Links with industry: The Centre for Actuarial Science, Risk and Investment maintains close relationships with industry actuaries through the Invicta Actuarial Society, a regional actuarial society which holds its meetings at the Canterbury campus and is organized by University of Kent students and academic staff

Additional Information

• For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide
• Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course
• Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy
• If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact the University
• The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process
• If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying

General Information

• The University of Kent makes every effort to ensure that the information contained in its publicity materials is fair and accurate and to provide educational services as described
• However, the courses, services, and other matters may be subject to change
• For more information, see our terms and conditions
• Where fees are regulated (such as by the Department for Education or Research Council UK) permitted increases are normally inflationary and the University therefore reserves the right to increase tuition fees by inflation (RPI excluding mortgage interest payments) as permitted by law or Government policy in the second and subsequent years of your course
• If we intend to exercise this right to increase tuition fees, we will let you know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which we intend to exercise that right
• If, in the future, the increases to regulated fees permitted by law or government policy exceed the rate of inflation, we reserve the right to increase fees to the maximum permitted level
• If we intend to exercise this extended right to increase tuition fees, we will let you know by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which we intend to exercise that right

About the University of Kent

• The University of Kent is a leading research university
• We are committed to providing a high-quality educational experience for our students
• Our research excellence and innovative teaching methods make us an attractive choice for students from around the world

Contact Information

• The University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NZ

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