Start date:
Course information
Typical offer AAB-ABB
UCAS code GN1H
International fee £24,500
Institute code L34
Taught by Mathematical Sciences
Course description
Course description
This Mathematics and Actuarial Science BSc combines two important, related subjects.
Actuarial science is the study of risk and uncertainty, usually of a financial and long-term nature. Professionals who work in this industry are called actuaries, and it’s a career that’s regularly voted as a top three choice in job rankings. The strong intellectual challenges combined with the expected financial rewards make this a highly sought-after profession.
Mathematics is one of the most fascinating and intellectually challenging subjects you can study. The School of Mathematics and Actuarial Science at the University of Leicester is home to an enthusiastic group of mathematicians, both staff and students.
On this course you will become comfortable with data and with its manipulation. You will also develop great team working skills and persuasive communication techniques. Crucially, you will be in a position to know why you are in an organisation and what you can contribute.
Completing this degree can lead to you obtaining exemptions from the first tier of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' exams, alongside a wide range of related skills which will enable you to add value in many areas for your future employers.
Leicester has fully embedded the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries' Curriculum 2019 syllabus into our Actuarial courses. This means we integrate more business-focused knowledge and skills, such as data science and predictive analytics, as well as focusing more keenly on the development of personal and professional competencies. With the added benefit of an optional year in industry, this will help you become more work-ready in a competitive environment.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: AAB-ABB including Maths. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level
- EPQ with A-levels: ABB-BBB + EPQ at grade B. A-level subjects to include Maths.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass Diploma with a minimum of 45 credits at level 3, 30 of which must be at Distinction. Plus A-level Maths at grade A-B. We may consider substantial Level 3 Maths Access credits in place of A-level Maths. Please contact Admissions regarding eligibility
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 30 points including grade 5 in HL Maths.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Extended Diploma with DDM, plus grade B in A-level Maths. BTEC not accepted by itself. Please contact Admissions regarding eligibility.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you can apply for Mathematics with Foundation Year BSc.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Selection Process
When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.
Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.
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 listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2025
Tuition fees for 2025/26 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2024/25 were:
- £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
- Year in Industry: your fee will be £1,850 for that year
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Additional costs
- Please note that you will need to buy a Casio FX83GT calculator (approximately £6). This is not included in your tuition fee.
International Students
Starting in 2025
- £24,500 per year
- Year in Industry: £3,675 which is 15% of the full-time tuition fee
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.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Additional costs
- Please note that you will need to buy a Casio FX83GT calculator (approximately £6). This is not included in your tuition fee.
Accreditation
Accreditation
The BSc in Mathematics and Actuarial Science is aimed at students who are specifically interested in becoming an Actuary.
This course is accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, which means that we are able to offer exemptions from all of the examined Core Principles subjects.
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 your employability through:
- dedicated employability advisers within the careers team, who understand the markets you are applying to
- weekly employability sessions with qualified actuaries reviewing applications and giving advice based on industry experience
- regular Actuarial Society events attracting actuarial and other financial employers to the campus to meet students
- a professional skills and employability module
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 4: Quality education
- Goal 8: Decent work and economic growth
- Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
Modules
- Calculus and Analysis (double module)
- Linear Algebra (double module)
- Probability
- Business Microeconomics
- Introductory Statistics
- Business Macroeconomics
At the end of Year 1 it may be possible to transfer to the BSc in Mathematics (or the four-year MMath).
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.
Year 2
Year 2
Modules
- Actuarial Modelling 1
- Markov Processes
- Statistical Distributions and Inference
- Actuarial Professional Skills and Employability
- Actuarial Modelling 2
- Survival Models
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Business Finance
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.
Year in Industry (optional)
Year in Industry (optional)
If you want to, you can take a year out between Years 2 and 3 to work in an industrial placement (provided you meet set criteria). Or you can opt to continue studying at the University and complete your degree in three years.
NB. A year spent on an industrial placement still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See our Fees and Funding section for details.
You will undertake a programme of training and practical experience that is agreed between the sponsoring company and the University. A member of staff will be individually assigned to you as your industrial placement tutor, who will be in regular contact with you throughout your placement and will visit the sponsoring company.
A year in industry is a great opportunity which can give you first-hand experience of working in a mathematics-related career while also enhancing your employability skills and allowing you to network with people in industry.
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.
Year 3
Year 3
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Operational Research
- The Management and Shaping of Innovation
- Business Microeconomics*
- Fundamentals of Data Science
- Readings in Actuarial Science
Then choose two option modules from:
- Generalised Linear Models
- Data Mining and Neural Networks
- Business Macroeconomics*
- Behavioural Finance and Investment Strategies
- Technology in Financial Markets
*The economics modules are an option for year 2 joiners onto the programme to allow them to gain all of the exemptions from the IFoA offered within the course.
Plus your Actuarial Mathematics Project (double module).
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?
The academic staff in the department have written or edited dozens of books and publish regularly in major national and international journals. Where other people only get to read what our experts think, you will be working directly with them, learning from them in lectures and questioning them in seminars.
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).
Our School operates an Open Door policy, meaning you can access support when you need it.
Teaching and learning
The course 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 BSc also offers classes in developing professional skills and employability.
Independent learning
When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the library, preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for exams. To help with your independent learning, you can access the Library and our social study spaces in halls of residence.
Your contact hours will depend on the option modules you select. You can see details of the contact hours on individual module pages.
Academic support
Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:
- study and exam skills
- academic writing
- presentations
- dissertations
- numerical data skills
- referencing sources
Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.
Teaching staff
You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Mathematics and Actuarial Science | Qualification BSc | Duration 3 years full-time | UCAS Code GN1H | Availability How to apply |
| Course Mathematics and Actuarial Science with Year in Industry | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years, full-time | UCAS Code GN1H | Availability How to apply |
Data about this course
What I love about my course is that I’m always learning brand new things and always challenged.