Actuarial Management Heriot-Watt University

Overview

The Actuarial Management M.Sc. at Heriot-Watt University provides comprehensive training designed to develop experts in actuarial business management and strategic decision-making. This advanced programme is tailored for those looking to influence business success through sophisticated risk assessment and persuasive communication. By completing this degree, students can significantly speed up their professional qualification process, often leaving only one or two exams to finish after graduation.

Why Actuarial Management at Heriot-Watt University?

Heriot-Watt University is recognised as the original home of actuarial science in the United Kingdom, being the first institution in the country to offer a degree in this discipline. The university maintains a prestigious reputation, helping between 100 and 200 students each year secure exemptions from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) subjects. Students benefit from an environment where research-active academics lead the way in modelling techniques, asset-liability management, and data analytics for insurance.

Located in Edinburgh, the financial heart of Scotland, the university offers a unique blend of campus life and proximity to major global financial institutions. The programme is fully accredited for various professional subjects, including the internationally recognised Certified Enterprise Risk Actuary (CERA) qualification through the SP9 subject. This strategic location and professional standing provide students with unparalleled networking opportunities and industry insights.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: GBP 24952 per year
• National fee: GBP 12744 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

The curriculum is structured to cover essential actuarial risk management while allowing for specialisation in areas such as life insurance, pensions, or investment. Modules may include:

• Actuarial Risk Management
• Financial Markets
• Derivatives Markets and Pricing
• Life Insurance
• Quantitative Risk Analysis
• Economics
• Pensions and Other Benefits
• Data Analytics and Time Series Analysis
• Finance and Financial Reporting

Careers with Actuarial Management

Graduates from the Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics department have established a track record of exceptional career success. The alumni network includes numerous CEOs, partners of major consultancies, and past presidents of professional actuarial associations. Graduates typically find roles as C-suite executives or specialist consultants within the insurance and financial sectors. Data indicates that 100% of graduates are in employment or further study within fifteen months of completing their programme, often securing competitive starting salaries in the actuarial profession.

Accreditation

Fully accredited programme with the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) in the UK for subjects: CP1, CP2, CP3, SP2, SP4, SP5, SP6, SP7, SP8 and SP9.

HWU is recognised as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries (SOA), North America. We were the first Center of Actuarial Excellence in Europe and one of only 30 other schools worldwide with this designation.