Dublin, Ireland
DEGREE TYPE
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
Request tuition fees
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
The MSc Actuarial Science is designed for students from quantitative disciplines who wish to train as an actuary upon completion of the program. The MSc can help fast-track your career as an actuary by supporting you through the initial examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA), UK, and is fully accredited by the IFoA, UK. The program provides a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, economics, and finance for future actuarial studies. You will also have the opportunity to undertake a dissertation in a topical area of actuarial science under the supervision of a member of the UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics. The program is suitable for students with no prior exemptions and for students who wish to add to any exemptions they already have.
- Designed specifically for those seeking to enter the actuarial profession.
- Fully accredited by the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries (UK)
- Students who perform well in the program may obtain block exemptions from the Core Examinations of the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries (UK).
- Paid research placements for some students with actuarial companies (subject to a successful selection process)
- MSc Actuarial Science won the Science Postgraduate Course of the Year at the Graduate Higher Education Awards in 2016.
Professional Accreditation
The MSc Actuarial Science offers potential exemptions from the Core subjects of the examinations of the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries (UK). If you have prior actuarial exemptions you may choose to study all or part of the syllabus for examination Core Practice 1 (CA1) of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK).* The programme is therefore suitable for students with no prior exemptions and for students who wish to add to any exemptions they already have.
*No exemptions are offered from the examinations of the Institute and Faulty of Actuaries in respect of CA1.
Ideal Students
Who should apply?
Full-Time option suitable for:
- Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
- International (Non-EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
The MSc Actuarial Science (MSc Act. Sci.) is designed for students from quantitative disciplines who ultimately wish to train as an actuary upon completion of the program. The MSc can help fast-track your career as an actuary by supporting you through the initial examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK).
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please contact our Admissions team!
Curriculum
A full list of modules is available for the MSc Actuarial Science. Modules are subject to change and are not guaranteed by UCD.
Student Internships
There will be opportunities for some students to complete their thesis as a paid research placement* with an actuarial company. The internships listed are examples of past placements and are a guide only: Allianz, AIG, Canada Life, Central Bank of Ireland, Irish Life, Mercer, New Ireland Assurance, Liberty Mutual and Greenval Insurance.
*Placements are secured through a competitive process and are not guaranteed
Program Outcome
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key skills required by a trainee actuary, including data collection methods, statistical method development, analysis of statistical output.
- Model real-world problems using the appropriate framework and on that basis, make forecasts and analyse risk.
- Demonstrate strong proficiency in appropriate computational methods.
- Use the language of logic to reason correctly and make deductions.
- Approach problems in an analytical, precise and rigorous way.
- Give oral presentations of technical material at a level appropriate for the audience.
- Prepare written reports on technical subjects in statistics, actuarial science, and finance in clear and precise language.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you can look forward to a career ranging from the traditional areas of insurance and pension consultancy to the rapidly expanding areas of investment and risk management. Throughout your actuarial career, you can rely on the support and guidance of the actuarial profession, and upon qualification, you can expect a rewarding career that will continue to offer opportunities for further development.
Student Testimonials
Program Admission Requirements
Demonstrate your commitment and readiness to succeed in business school by taking the GMAT exam – the most widely used exam for admissions that measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Download the GMAT mini quiz to get a flavour of the questions you’ll find in the exam.