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Bachelor of Actuarial Studies / Economics

UNSW Business School
Join Australia’s #1 Business School
This double degree in economics and actuarial studies gives you a deep understanding of how society influences and is influenced by the economy. Develop a complementary skillset with advanced analytical mathematical problem-solving skills and the ability to understand the wider implications of decision-making in the world.
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration
4 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Kensington
Codes
UAC code 424350
Program code 3588
CRICOS code 077867A
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2023 lowest selection rank
98
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$13,000*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$55,500*
Images of students and the environment they learn in

Overview

Do you enjoy advanced mathematics? Are you interested in how government and business policy influence society? This double degree gives you econometric analysis skills combined with financial mathematics knowledge to make better decisions in business and government policy or as an actuary. Graduate career-ready with professional experiences available as part of your studies.

Key features

  • Two degrees in only four years

  • You’ll be able to study one or two Economics majors choosing from Macroeconomics and Financial Markets, Data Analytics and Econometrics, and Economic Policy and Society

  • Option to choose another major from the Bachelor of Commerce

  • Professional development courses and experiences

  • Accredited by industry bodies including Actuaries Institute and Society of Actuaries

Why study this degree at UNSW?

UNSW Business School has been ranked Australia's #1 Business School*. That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation.

This double degree gives you a deep understanding of how society both influences and is influenced by the economy; coupled with analytical mathematical problem-solving skills. This future-focused program will train you to identify opportunities and adapt to challenges in preparation for careers that may not even exist yet. 

Stand out in a competitive job market with this complementary skillset. You’ll make connections among our global alumni network and get real work experience. Career Accelerator provides a portfolio of professional development opportunities that are exclusive to UNSW Business School students and embedded within our degrees.

*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024

 

Program Code
3588
CRICOS Code
077867A
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
424350
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
192
Indicative Enrolments
66

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Entry requirements

Entry to this degree is based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank derived from the following: 

  • Australian interstate Year 12 qualifications (e.g., OP rank)

  • New Zealand NCEA Level 3

  • Equivalent overseas qualifications e.g., International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, GCE A-Levels

  • Post-secondary or tertiary qualifications

  • An alternative entry qualification

2023 Lowest Selection Rank
98
2023 A levels
21
2023 IB Diploma
41
2023 Lowest ATAR
88.05*
    1. The 2023 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023.
    2. The 2023 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2023 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2023 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

    To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

    We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics Extension 1. For Bachelor of Commerce, Economics, Information System, Science, Science (Advanced Mathematics)(Honours) and Science (Computer Science): Refer to the relevant non-actuarial degree entry

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW. 

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW. 

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study. 

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International direct entry

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways

The pathways to study at UNSW Business School include UNSW Foundation studies and our Diploma of Business, which offers a direct pathway to the second year of UNSW’s Bachelor of Commerce. Visit UNSW Global for more information.

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Program structure

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies / Bachelor of Economics is a four year double degree program consisting of 32 courses (192 Units of Credit (UOC)). 

The program includes:

  • Actuarial core and elective courses, and an optional Actuarial studies major

  • Economics core and elective courses, or one or two optional economics majors 

  • Business School elective courses 

You’ll also have access to Career Accelerator, UNSW Business School's exclusive suite of for-credit and extra-curricular work integrated learning opportunities including internships, practicums and mentoring.

Study areas

Full program structure

Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. Your study options are full-time or part-time. Each university year has three terms and an optional summer study period. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.

Below is an example of what you could study in four years full-time.

First year

  • 4 Level 1 Actuarial core courses 

  • 1 Introductory Business course

  • 3 Economics courses in your chosen Major

Second Year

  • 4 Level 1 Actuarial core courses

  • 4 Economics courses in your chosen Major

Third Year

  • 3 Level 2 Actuarial core courses

  • 3 Economics courses in your chosen Major

  • 2 Economics elective courses

Fourth Year

  • 4 Level 3 Actuarial elective courses

  • 2 Economics elective courses

  • 2 Business elective courses

Future careers

Find yourself in demand with technical and specialist skills to pursue the role of an actuarial analyst as well as a solid grounding in core areas of economics and econometrics. The financial services industry, including banks, insurers and consultancies, value the rigorous quantitative risk analysis training involved in Actuarial Studies. UNSW Business School's Career Accelerator provides work experiences to help get you started.

Potential careers

  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Asset Management Trainee
  • Business Consultant
  • Credit Analyst
  • Data Analyst
  • Economics and financial forecaster
  • Economics researcher
  • Financial analyst
  • Insurance Analyst
  • Investment Banker
  • Policy adviser
  • Risk Assessment Officer
  • Statistical analyst
  • Superannuation Adviser
  • Wealth Management Analyst

Honours

Take your Actuarial Studies knowledge to the next level with an additional one-year Honours degree, where you'll gain advanced knowledge and research skills in your chosen area of business. You'll have the opportunity to be mentored by top-tier researchers and work on industry relevant projects while undertaking a significant research thesis. Graduate with advanced knowledge, analytical, problem-solving and research skills that are highly sought after in business and government. Learn more about Actuarial Studies Honours

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies provides a strong foundation for becoming an actuary or working within a related field. You can earn exemptions from the Actuaries Institute’s Foundation Program in Australia or VEE credit from the Society of Actuaries (USA).

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to start your application?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to start your application?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$13,000*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$55,500*

Commonwealth Supported Place multiple Student Contribution Bands may apply for this double degree. See single degrees for the applicable fee bands.*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$51,500*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$224,000*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.


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Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2024.

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Employable Graduates

AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

Leading
Innovation

#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The learning culture at UNSW, which challenges the status quo, helped set me apart from others.
Alumni, Harry Goldberg

Harry Goldberg

Founder

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