Program Overview

Introduction to the BSc Actuarial Science (with a Placement Year) Programme

The BSc Actuarial Science (with a Placement Year) at LSE is a highly analytical programme of study that blends rigorous academic study with applied professional experience. Delivered by the internationally recognised Department of Statistics, the programme draws on LSE’s strengths as a leading social science institution. Students benefit from exposure to cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary teaching, with insights drawn from statistics, mathematics, economics, and finance.

Programme Overview

This broad perspective prepares students to analyse and manage risk and uncertainty in financial and insurance markets, while also understanding the wider social, regulatory, and ethical contexts in which decisions are made. A distinctive feature of the programme is the integrated industry placement year, undertaken between the second and final years of study. The placement allows students to apply their learning in a professional setting, build practical skills, and gain direct insight into actuarial or statistical work.

Key Information

• Study mode: Home full-time students (Four years) Open
• Overseas full-time students (Four years) Open
• Academic year: 2026/27
• Start date: 28 September 2026
• Location: Houghton Street, London
• Application deadline: 14 January 2026

Entry Requirements

Home

• GCSEs: A strong pre-16 academic profile such as several GCSE grades of A (or 7) and A* (or 8-9)
• A-levels: AAA, with an A in Mathematics
• Contextual admissions A-level grades: AAB with an A in Mathematics
• 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)

Programme Content

You'll study 12 units over four years, including LSE100 and an integrated industry placement in your third year. The academic structure in Years 1, 2, and 4 follows that of the three-year BSc Actuarial Science programme.

Year 1

• ST102: Elementary Statistical Theory
• MA100: Mathematical Methods
• EC1A3: Microeconomics I
• EC1B3: Macroeconomics I
• LSE100: The LSE Course
• Options to the value of one unit

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
• Options to the value of one unit

Year 3

• ST360: Placement Year (non-credit bearing)

Year 4

• ST302: Stochastic Processes
• ST301: Actuarial Mathematics (Life)
• Options to the value of three units

Why Study with Us

Discover more about our students and department. The Department of Statistics at LSE is one of the oldest and most distinguished in the UK, with an international reputation for the development of statistical methodology and a long history of pioneering contributions to research and teaching.

Your Application

We consider each application carefully, taking into account all the details you’ve included on your UCAS form. We’re looking for students who demonstrate outstanding mathematical abilities, an interest in actuarial science, and involvement in related extra-curricular activities.

Fees and Funding

• Home student fee per each year of your programme: £9,535
• Overseas student fee per each year of your programme: £30,700
• Placement year fees are set by the UK Office for Students, currently a maximum of 20 per cent of the full-time fee in the year the student starts their programme

Learning and Assessment

• 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
• Assessment: Summative assessment for most courses is by a three-hour examination in June, with some courses assessed by project work

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. The top 4 sectors our students work in are:

• Financial and Professional Services
• Insurance
• Information, Digital Technology and Data
• Accounting and Auditing

Related Programmes

• BSc Actuarial Science
• BSc Mathematics, Statistics and Business
• BSc Data Science
• BSc Finance
• BSc Accounting and Finance
• BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics
• BSc Economics