Bachelor of Actuarial Studies

Future-proof your career as a business professional. Apply advanced analytical techniques to evaluate risks and opportunities.

Faculty

UNSW Business School

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Award

Bachelor of Actuarial Studies

Commencing Terms

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Duration (Full Time)

3 Year(s)

Overview

Actuaries help businesses, governments, not-for-profit organisations and individuals make critical decisions for the future by evaluating risks and opportunities using advanced analytical techniques to deliver highly valued data analytics an insights.

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies at UNSW is the flagship entrance for the highest-achieving business students to the most competitive business program in Australia. We've had students from all over the world join us to study actuarial studies at UNSW, like Angelica Sutantyo who travelled from Indonesia to study at UNSW Business School. UNSW Business School is the global leader in actuarial studies, currently ranked #1 worldwide in risk management, insurance, and actuarial research*. Our graduates are in high demand and help organisations meet their strategic objectives.

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies is accredited by the Actuaries Institute and includes the option to choose a specialisation to diversify your future career as a business professional. You’ll develop a specialist quantitative skill set in actuarial models, financial maths, probability, machine learning/AI analytics, and commerce. Graduates of Actuarial Studies at UNSW are in high demand. After three-years, you’ll be ready for quantitative roles in a range of industries including financial services, insurance and superannuation.

Key features

Learn from industry leaders
Our courses are taught by world-leading academic staff, professionally qualified actuaries, with involvement from industry practitioners to ensure a balanced development of skills.

Pathway to professional accreditation
Gain exemptions to the Actuaries Institute’s professional accreditation exams. Professional accreditation through the Actuaries Institute provides mutual recognition at major international actuarial bodies such as the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK and the Society of Actuaries in the US.

Build expertise
Specialise your studies with an optional actuarial studies or commerce specialisation. You can also opt to double your degree with degrees from other areas such as computer science, , maths or law, or another UNSW Business School degree.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

We're business leaders
UNSW Business School is renowned for best-in-class teaching and student outcomes. We are ranked the #1 business school in Australia*. That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation.

UNSW’s School of Risk and Actuarial ranks #1 worldwide in the UNL Global Research Rankings of Actuarial Science and Risk Management and Insurance^#.

Our graduate employability
Gain an edge when you study with us. Employers seek our graduates, as we're known for nurturing the most employable students. Last year, 22 of the Australian Finance Review's Top100 Future Leaders Award^ recipients were UNSW Business school graduates.

Our distinctive degrees bring the boardroom to the classroom. You’ll discover a range of hands-on professional learning opportunities that are exclusive to UNSW Business School. Graduate career-ready with our Career Accelerator program, which offers real-world professional experiences from day one. Your future opportunities include internships, professional networking and mentoring, global opportunities, and group consulting projects.

Double your impact with a double degree

When you study a double degree at UNSW Business School you’re equipping yourself with a unique set of skills that will set you apart in the job market. You’ll increase both your specialist skills and employability when you study a double degree.

Double degrees allow you to combine your interests and carve out a career path that you’re passionate about. Double degrees can help you become more of a specialist in a particular area or gain a breadth of skills that meets the demands of today’s organisations.

Plus, a double degree won’t necessarily double your workload or study duration. Explore double degree options below.

Actuarial double degree options:

Advanced Mathematics (Hons)
Commerce
Computer Science
Economics
Information Systems
Law
Science

Honours program
Give yourself a competitive edge by adding honours study to your degree. With an honour's degree, you’ll complete an independent research project and advanced coursework in the area of business you’re passionate about.

Why study honours?
1) Develop your research skills: Your honours thesis is an independent research project that combines theory, methods, creativity, and communication skills
2) Deepen your expertise: Honours gives you the opportunity to become an expert in the field of business that interests you the most
3) Advance your career with advanced research, problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills, you’ll stand out in the eyes of employers.

^{*AFR BOSS 2022 Best Business School Rankings}^ AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards

Program Code

3586

CRICOS Code

077428B

Campus

Kensington

UAC Code

424300

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

144

Indicative Enrolments

221

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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

2023 A levels

2023 IB Diploma

2023 Lowest ATAR

90.1*

The 2022 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2022.

The 2022 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.

The 2022 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2022. It is to be used as a guide only.

The 2022 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.

See more

Assumed knowledge

Mathematics Extension 1

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.

I studied in:

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

If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence. 

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:

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Select from the options below

Which applies to you?

Program structure

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies is a three-year degree program consisting of 24 courses. Along with core courses, you can choose to specialise in an optional actuarial studies major or an optional business major. As a major usually consists of eight courses, you also choose interesting elective courses to complete the degree. It’s possible to use an elective course to do an internship or other Work Integrated Learning experience.

The degree includes:

Level 1 and 2 Actuarial Studies core courses
Level 3 Actuarial Studies electives
Optional Actuarial Studies or Commerce major
Electives courses offered by the Business School or outside of Business
General education courses from other faculties

Professional development courses and experiences
Work Integrated Learning: Career Accelerator offers for-credit internships and placements to help students pursue a career after graduation, as well as a host of global, mentoring and networking opportunities.

Study areas

Actuarial Studies

Computational Data Science

Actuarial Risk Management & Analytics

Quantitative Data Science

Commerce

Accounting

Behavioural Economics

Business Analytics

Business Economics

Finance

You may also choose to study a second commerce major that is on the above list, however this may result in more UOC required for degree completion. For more information please visit the UNSW handbook.

Sample Program

Go to the handbook

Future careers

With highly transferable skills in analysis and statistics, you can move across the private sector, financial institutions, and government departments. UNSW Business School's Career Accelerator provides work experiences and professional development opportunities to help get you started.

Your opportunities are supported by our industry and alumni networks. As one of Australia’s leading business schools we have strong connections to industry and more than 90,000 alumni worldwide who could be connections to your future career. Not only that, UNSW supports start-ups, with more founders than any other Australian university and over 300+ clubs to find people with complementary skillsets.

Potential careers

Actuarial Analyst
Asset Management Trainee
Business Consultant
Credit Analyst
Data Analyst
Insurance Analyst
Investment Banker
Risk Assessment Officer
Superannuation Adviser
Wealth Management Analyst

Honours

Take your Bachelor of Actuarial Studies 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 (US). Mutual recognition arrangements between major actuarial associations also mean that your professional qualifications are internationally transferrable.

Double degrees

By combining Actuarial Studies with another degree from UNSW Business School, or another UNSW faculty, you can strengthen your career opportunities and set yourself apart.

Double degree options:

Advanced Mathematics (Hons)
Commerce
Computer Science
Economics
Information Systems
Law
Science

All students are able to take an optional Honours year in Actuarial Studies, working closely with our world leading academics on research problems of importance to society.

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 apply?

Apply now

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.

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Fees & Scholarships

2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee

$13,530*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4

*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.

2023 Indicative First Year Fee

$45,955*

2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$141,130*

*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.