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Actuarial Science with Data Analytics MSc, PGDip

9 months-1 year, full-time

Problem solver. Business analyst. Risk assessor. An actuary wears many hats, but that’s what makes a career in the field so rewarding. With a qualification in actuarial science and data analysis, you’ll have the skills to make your mark in a range of industries.

Actuarial Science with Data Analytics MSc, PGDip, 9 months-1 year, full-time

Problem solver. Business analyst. Risk assessor. An actuary wears many hats, but that’s what makes a career in the field so rewarding. With a qualification in actuarial science and data analysis, you’ll have the skills to make your mark in a range of industries.

Course information

UK fee £13,250

International fee £23,650

Taught by Mathematical Sciences

MSc Actuarial Science Admissions Team
+44 (0)116 252 3953
cmsadmin@le.ac.uk

Computing and Mathematical Sciences website

Course description

Course description

This programme is for you if you want to kick-start your actuarial career and gain the skills to apply data analytics to solve real business problems. 

Whether you have yet to start the actuarial professional exams, or you have already passed some of the Core Principles subjects you will be able to choose a route that maximises your potential exemptions from the IFoA exams. In some cases you will be able to finish with all the exams needed to become a fully-qualified actuary as an Associate member of the IFoA (Qualification as an Associate requires two years' work experience qualifying for PPD, successfully completing the online Professional Skills Course, and successfully completing the online CB3 course and assessment.)

Data skills are vital for all professionals and Data Analytics is at the heart of this course which has been designed for maximum flexibility, allowing you potentially to gain exemptions from all the examined Core Principles subjects (CS 1&2, CM 1&2, CB 1&2) or, if you already have some passes under your belt, to add the Core Practices subjects (CP 1, 2 & 3). After the compulsory Data Science module, you are free to select modules that align with your personal goals – whether that’s to gain as many exemptions as possible, or to explore more advanced data analytics topics like Data Mining and Neural Networks. All our actuarial modules are taught with an emphasis on the ability to manipulate and analyse realistic data sets using industry standard software so you can be sure you are developing skills that are highly sought after by industry.

But actuarial science is not just about quantitive data and mathematical techniques. In every module you will be supported to develop key business skills – problem solving, communication and teamwork – as well as growing your understanding of the business and financial environment where actuaries operate. This unique combination of technical expertise and transferable business skills means you will be well placed to work in the worlds of insurance, pensions, healthcare, banking, business management and risk assessment. You will be equipped with mathematical and statistical knowledge and problem-solving skills to help businesses and institutions evaluate the long-term financial implications of the decisions they make while continuing your actuarial professional qualification.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

At least a 2:1 in a relevant subject (Mathematics, Statistics, Sciences, Economics). We will consider graduates from other subjects on an individual basis - students will need to demonstrate their ability in mathematics is at an appropriate level if do not have at least a B at A-level.

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.

International Qualifications

Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.

Countries list

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in September 2025 

  • MSc: £13,250
  • PGDip: £12,590

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding

Did you know you can apply for a Government Postgraduate Loan? Find out if you’re eligible.

International Students

Starting in September 2025 

  • MSc: £23,650
  • PGDip: £18,920

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee. 

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Accreditation

Accreditation

Our Actuarial Science degrees are accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). This MSc offers a fast track route to qualifying as an actuary. 

The MSc Actuarial Science with Data Analytics will offer exemptions under the new IFoA Curriculum 2019. Our accreditation agreement allows you potentially to gain exemptions from all the examined Core Principles subjects (CS 1&2, CM 1&2, CB 1&2) or, if you have already have some passes under your belt, to add the Core Practices subjects (CP 12 & 3).

The PGDip option is available after two semesters of study and offers the potential for exemptions from all the examined Core Principles subjects (CS 1&2, CM 1&2, CB 1&2).

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

You will be well-placed to work in the worlds of insurance, pensions, healthcare, banking, business management and risk assessment. You will be equipped with mathematical and statistical knowledge and problem-solving skills to help businesses and institutions evaluate the long-term financial implications of the decisions they make.

We aim to develop graduates who:

  • are comfortable with data and manipulating it
  • have great team working skills
  • can communicate persuasively in speech and writing
  • know why they are in an organisation and what they can contribute

We also support the employability of our students via:

  • our award-winning careers team, who are well-resourced to support any type of application or employer assessment
  • dedicated employability advisers within the careers team, who understand the markets they are applying to
  • weekly employability sessions with qualified actuaries reviewing applications and giving advice based on industry experience, available to campus-based students and distance learning students via Skype
  • regular actuarial society events attracting actuarial and other financial employers to the campus to meet students
  • a professional skills and employability module

Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.

Course structure

MSc

MSc

Core module

Option modules

Choose three option modules from:

* must be chosen if wishing to select Geospatial Data Analytics from the list below

Plus four option modules from:

* must have chosen Fundamentals of GIS from the earlier list

** Actuarial Practice Workshop is a prerequisite for Actuarial Practice

Summer modules

Core modules

Option modules

Choose& one option module from:

** Actuarial Practice Workshop is a prerequisite for Actuarial Practice

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

PGDip

PGDip

If you wish to complete a PGDip instead of an MSc, you will take the same core and option modules, but not the summer modules that are part of the MSc.

Core module

Option modules

Choose three option modules from:

* must be chosen if taking wishing to select Geospatial Data Analytics from the list below

Plus four option modules from:

* must have chosen Fundamentals of GIS from the earlier list

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Why Leicester?

These programmes are accredited by the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries – it's possible to achieve exemptions from all the examinations covering the Core Principles subjects. In addition, with the MSc it's possible to achieve exemptions from all the examinations required to become a fully qualified actuary if you have already passed some of the early exams.

Emphasis on working with real data gives you the analytics skills that the industry needs from finance and risk management professionals.

You'll receive career support from the start with personal support from experienced, qualified actuaries, a module on Actuarial Professional Skills and Employability, and the opportunity to network at meetings of our own regional actuarial society (LASS).

The flexibility of this programme and the wide choice of modules allows you to tailor the programme to your professional goals.

Teaching and learning

The programme will be taught using computer classes, problem classes, skills sessions, supervision while undertaking extensive project and dissertation work as well as lectures. Some elements of supported eLearning will be used to refresh mathematical skills as necessary. Assessment will be via course work, computational exercises, projects and written exams. In addition to the mini-projects present in each module, the MSc offers two supervisor-led summer projects to gain exemptions from Core Practice subjects 2 and 3.

Key dates

September 2025 start

  • Application deadline: 8 September 2025 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 25 July 2025)
  • Deposit payment deadline: 8 August 2025
  • CAS request deadline: 5 September 2025
  • 70% tuition payment deadline: 5 September 2025

Apply now

Course Qualification Duration Start Dates Availability
Course Actuarial Sciences Qualification MSc Duration 1 year, full-time Start Dates September each year Availability Apply Now
Course Actuarial Sciences Qualification PGDip Duration 9 months, full-time Start Dates September each year Availability Apply Now
smiling student sat at a table in a restaurant on campus

The course is so interesting because it combines mathematical theories and their application to many real-world projects.

Mira, Actuarial Science

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