Postgraduate MSc

Applied Actuarial Science with Placement (Integrated Master's)

Actuaries evaluate and manage financial risk. You'll be able to make financial sense of the future by applying advanced mathematical and statistical techniques to solve complex financial problems. This sets you up for success in a range of industries.

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Overview

Qualifying as an actuary is a passport to a wide variety of careers in insurance companies, investments, pensions, health care and banking – not just in the UK, but throughout the world.

Industrial placements may be undertaken in the UK or overseas. The University does not guarantee every student will find a placement. Those who do not secure a placement will be transferred to the MSc programme without a placement.

Accreditation

Our International Master’s programme is fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. It is equivalent to the MSc in Actuarial Science followed by the one-year MSc in Applied Actuarial Science.

The International Master's in Applied Actuarial Science programme provides a fast-track route to qualifying as an actuary.

Students who achieve a high enough overall mark in this programme can obtain exemptions from professional examinations. Specifically, in the first year of the programme, depending on the modules chosen, students may be eligible to gain exemptions from subjects CB1, CB2, CM1, CM2, CS1 and CS2 of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. In the final year of the programme, depending on the modules chosen, students are eligible to gain exemptions from subjects CP1, CP2, CP3, SP2, SP5, SP7, SP8 and SP9 of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

We're modernising the way you learn at Kent.

In September 2025, we're launching a new curriculum and a progressive approach to assessment, timetabling and employability.

Your future

The UK Actuarial Profession

The UK Actuarial Profession is small, but influential and well rewarded. There are more than 6,500 actuaries currently employed in the UK, the majority of whom work in insurance companies and consultancy practices.

Survey results published by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries suggest that the average basic salary for a student actuary is £35,936 with pay and bonuses increasingly sharply as you become more experienced. The average basic salary of a Chief Actuary is £206,236.

As an actuary, your work is extremely varied and can include: advising companies on the amount of funds to set aside for employee pension payments; designing new insurance policies and setting premium rates; pricing financial derivatives and working in fund management and quantitative investment research; advising life insurance companies on he distribution of surplus funds; and estimating the effects of possible major disasters, such as earthquakes or hurricanes, and setting premium rates for insurance against such disasters. For more information about the actuarial profession, see www.actuaries.org.uk

Employability support

Helping our students to develop strong employability skills is a key objective within the School and the University. We provide a wide range of services and support to equip you with transferable vocational skills that enable you to secure appropriate professional positions within industry. Within the School we run specialist seminars and provide advice on creating a strong CV, making job applications and successfully attending interviews and assessment centres.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in the actuarial, finance, insurance and risk sectors.

Professional recognition

Fully accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Students who achieve a high enough overall mark can obtain exemptions from the professional examinations included within their studies.

Career support
Whether you want to get ahead in your current career, change lanes, or kickstart a new one – we are here to help you realise your ambition.

Fees and funding

The 2025/26 annual tuition fees for this course are:

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy. If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk.

You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

Scholarships

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

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Next steps

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

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Kent focus

Supporting your success

We are here to support your postgraduate journey.

Top 40

Kent ranked top 40 in The Times Good University Guide 2025.

Fees and funding

Support for funding so you can focus on your studies.

Research excellence

Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.

Accommodation

It’s easy to study on or off campus at Kent – discover what is right for you.