Program Overview

Introduction to the BSc Actuarial Science Programme

The BSc in Actuarial Science at LSE is a programme of study that provides an intriguing blend of statistics, mathematics, finance, and the social sciences. It's designed for students with a strong mathematics aptitude and an interest to learn from a social science perspective that embraces multifaceted interdisciplinary approaches and insights.

Overview of the Programme

• The programme aims to provide students with the intellectual foundation to prepare them for further study, or for professional and managerial careers, particularly in the actuarial profession or in other areas requiring the application of quantitative skills.
• Many students find and complete work experience in actuarial and financial firms with support from our department and LSE Careers.
• Typically, our graduates move on to high-earning careers in insurance (life and general), banking, finance, pension, consultancy, and statistics.

Accreditations

• Accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) for the purpose of exemption from some professional examinations.
• Students may obtain exemption from some professional examinations of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)’s CGMA Professional Qualification through relevant pathway.

Preliminary Readings

• Watch The Joy of Stats, a documentary that gives an insight into the exciting world of statistics.
• For an introduction to mathematics as it's applied in economics and finance:
  • M Anthony and N Biggs Mathematics for Economics and Finance (Cambridge University Press, 1996)
• Much of university level mathematics and statistics is concerned with formal proofs and rigorous mathematical argument and this is necessary for some of the advanced mathematics required in finance, economics and other fields of application. For an introduction, we recommend:
  • R Allenby Numbers and Proofs (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1997)
  • P Eccles An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning (Cambridge University Press, 1997)
  • T Gowers Mathematics: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press, 2002)
  • D Hand Statistics: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press, 2008)
  • M Liebeck A Concise Introduction to Pure Mathematics (Chapman & Hall/CRC Mathematics, 2005)

Entry Requirements

Home

• For GCSEs, you’ll need a strong pre-16 academic profile such as several GCSE grades of A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9).
• We also ask for a good set of GCSE grades or equivalent across a broad range of subjects, with a minimum of grade B (or 6) in GCSE English and Mathematics.
• AAA, with an A in Mathematics
• Where it's offered by your school or college, AS- or A-level Further Mathematics is expected to be taken and a grade A achieved.
• Contextual admissions A-level grades: AAB with an A in Mathematics
• A-level subject combinations:
  • Mathematics at A-level or equivalent is required. Further Mathematics at AS level or above is highly desirable.
  • The programme is quantitively focused. For this reason, Physics or Chemistry provide good preparation for this degree, although these are not mandatory subjects.
  • Good marks for any quantitative courses at GCSE level are also desirable.
• IB Diploma: 39 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in "Mathematics: analysis and approaches"
• Contextual admissions IB grades: 38 points overall, including 766 in higher level subjects, with 7 in "Mathematics: analysis and approaches"

Overseas

• Select a country to find the equivalency to A-levels of your qualification.
• Additional tests: Applicants are encouraged to take the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). The test is not mandatory, however a good performance on the test may make an application more competitive.

Programme Content

• On this programme, you’ll study 12 units over three years, plus LSE100.
• The BSc Actuarial Science (with a Placement Year) runs for four years, with a placement year in Year 3.
• The following will outline the compulsory courses that you'll take on the programme:
  • Year 1:
    • ST102: Elementary Statistical Theory
    • MA100: Mathematical Methods
    • EC1A3: Microeconomics I
    • EC1B3: Macroeconomics I
    • LSE100: The LSE Course
  • Year 2:
    • ST206: Probability and Distribution Theory
    • ST216: Statistical Inference
    • MA221: Further Mathematical Methods (Calculus)
    • MA222: Further Mathematical Methods (Linear Algebra)
    • ST226: Mathematics for Finance and Investment
    • ST227: Survival Models
  • Year 3:
    • ST302: Stochastic Processes
    • ST301: Actuarial Mathematics (Life)

Why Study with Us

• Discover more about our students and department.
• Student stories:
  • Student Djelila Delior: The main enjoyment of my programme has been the technical ability I've developed, which has been very demanding but also incredibly intellectually rewarding.
  • Anthony Waring, Kirkham, UK: Read more
• Meet the department: The Department of Statistics at LSE is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the UK.
• Why LSE:
  • University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK: Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 2025
  • 1st in London for the 14th year running: The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 2026
  • 6th In the world: QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025
  • Carbon Neutral: In 2021, LSE became the first Carbon Neutral verified university in the UK

Your Application

• We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form.
• You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency, although this is not needed at the application stage.
• See our English language requirements page.

Fees and Funding

• The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
• Home student fee per each year of your programme: £9,535
• Overseas student fee per each year of your programme: £30,700
• Fee status: Your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, depend on whether you’re classified as a home or an overseas student.
• Scholarships, bursaries and loans: We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE provides generous financial support, in the form of bursaries and scholarships, to UK, EU and overseas students.

Learning and Assessment

• How you learn:
  • Teaching: you’ll usually attend lectures and related classes, seminars or workshops for 10 to 15 hours per week.
  • Independent study: you’ll be expected to complete independent study and manage your time effectively.
• How you're assessed:
  • Formative coursework: all taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed.
  • Summative assessment: this assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.

Graduate Destinations

• Graduates from the programme will be able to work on a range of financial services organisations from companies which operate in the life and general insurance sector through to accounting firms, specialist actuarial consultancies, investment banks, data analytics, statistics, civil service and graduate studies.
• Top 4 sectors our students work in:
  • Financial and Professional Services
  • Insurance
  • Information, Digital Technology and Data
  • Accounting and Auditing

Related Programmes

• BSc Actuarial Science (with a Placement Year)
• BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business
• BSc Data Science
• BSc Finance
• BSc Accounting and Finance
• BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
• BSc Economics

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