About us

UNSW School of Risk and Actuarial Studies has an internationally recognised reputation for teaching and research in the areas of actuarial studies, risk analytics, superannuation and population ageing. We offer academic programs and courses in actuarial studies, analytics, risk management, and superannuation.

Our academic programs are professionally accredited by the Actuaries Institute in Australia and recognised by the UK and US professional actuarial bodies. Our actuarial degrees cover the professional actuarial syllabus of the International Actuarial Association to the level of Actuary. We attract high quality local and international students, and our academic staff have a broad range of skills and professional actuarial qualifications.  

Our superannuation courses provide in-depth analysis of various pension accumulation systems around the world and a particular emphasis to the Australian superannuation system.

We live in a risky world, and people and businesses are increasingly aware of the need to manage risk. Businesses in all industries – particularly financial services – strive to manage their risk to ensure their success.

What is risk & actuarial studies?  

UNSW School of Risk and Actuarial Studies has an internationally recognised reputation for teaching and research in the areas of actuarial studies, risk analytics, superannuation and population ageing. We offer academic programs and courses in actuarial studies, analytics, risk management, and superannuation.

Our academic programs are professionally accredited by the Actuaries Institute in Australia and recognised by the UK and US professional actuarial bodies. Our actuarial degrees cover the professional actuarial syllabus of the International Actuarial Association to the level of Actuary. We attract high quality local and international students, and our academic staff have a broad range of skills and professional actuarial qualifications.  

Our superannuation courses provide in-depth analysis of various pension accumulation systems around the world and a particular emphasis to the Australian superannuation system.

Why study Risk & Actuarial Studies at UNSW Business School?  

The UNSW School of Risk and Actuarial Studies offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Actuarial Studies as well as a Master of Actuarial Studies. Students in our undergraduate degree can choose to major in actuarial studies, actuarial risk management, or quantitative data science, and the degree can also be combined with other commerce and business disciplines, and with some science disciplines, including computer science, mathematics, and statistics. These program options provide a highly valued and broad-based education as well as exemptions from the actuarial profession examinations.  

The Master of Actuarial Studies, and extension, covers the professional actuarial courses up to Actuary level. This degree is designed for graduates with a strong mathematics or quantitative background. It also provides the Part II and more advanced Risk Management and analytics courses. Both are available for full-time and part-time students.  

We also offer courses in Risk Management, Data Analytics, and Superannuation in the Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Commerce programs.  

"UNSW Risk and Actuarial Studies offer an innovative, future focused program, developed by combining our global research leadership and extensive consultation with industry."  

Bernard Wong, Head of School

What does Risk & Actuarial Studies cover?  

Are you interested in applying your mathematics and statistics skills in a rewarding business career? By undertaking actuarial studies, you will draw on your problem solving, reasoning and well-rounded business skills to manage risk.  

You will discover:

  • Models used to quantify and manage risks including financial and insurance risks  
  • Modern analytics methods including various statistical and machine learning techniques as well as their business and actuarial applications 
  • Principles of pricing and risk assessment, used in insurance  
  • Products offered by insurance companies, benefit plans, and financial service companies  

Actuarial studies at UNSW combine professional actuarial courses with a wide range of other relevant disciplines. In fact, you can choose from the widest mix of majors and combined degrees on offer at an Australian university.  

Our teaching program is founded on excellent research culture and in consultation with industry, ensuring courses consider the latest developments in the field. You will graduate with specialist skills to apply in a variety of insurance, superannuation, funds management, banking, and consulting roles.  

Teaching & learning environment

We are committed to providing a learning environment that supports students. Our programs and degrees consistently attract the brightest students, both domestically and internationally. The Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) is a highly successful program, which provides additional peer support to first-year students in the undergraduate program.  

Our academic staff innovations and the teaching evaluation process led to course and program improvements aimed at supporting student learning. Additional learning and language support are available from the Education Development Unit (EDU) in the Business School. The EDU provides individual and small group consultations, academic skills workshops, discipline-specific support workshops and a range of study resources, materials, and handouts. 

Welcome from the Head of School  

Our teaching and research focus is on actuarial studies, risk analytics, superannuation, and population ageing. Actuarial studies is a demanding but rewarding area of study, which provides entry into many areas of work within the financial services industry and in the highly regarded actuarial profession, and more broadly in roles where actuarial and analytics knowledge is valued. Our program also leverages and educates our graduates in the rapidly developing area of data analytics and machine learning as well as their application to actuarial and business problems. Our graduates gain employment with leading employers in Australia and internationally.  

Risk management knowledge is increasingly required by companies adopting ERM (enterprise risk management) including banks, insurers, and non-financial corporations. We provide risk management education in both our undergraduate and postgraduate programs in conjunction with other schools within the UNSW Business School. 

Take a look around our website to find more information on the undergraduate and postgraduate programs we offer. Find out more about our academics and their current research, as well as course information for our enrolled students and details about upcoming and past events at the School.  

We hope you find the information that you are looking for. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.   

Professor Bernard Wong
Head of School, Risk and Actuarial Studies