Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Actuarial Science and Diploma in Industrial Training Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh Campus, UK

If you love maths and want to accelerate your Actuarial career with a year's work experience in hand, this is the programme for you. It combines the rigorous studies of the BSc Actuarial Science with a year-long work placement in your fourth year.

Actuarial work is seen as one of the most satisfying careers in the UK, owing to its intellectually stimulating nature, lucrative pay, schedule flexibility, and excellent job prospects. Actuaries enjoy applying their advanced quantitative skills to solve complex business problems involving risk analysis, in traditional areas of insurance and pensions and as well as exciting new opportunities such as health, technology, banking, finance and climate change.

With 30% of our lecturers being qualified actuaries, you'll gain up-to-the-minute industry knowledge and skills applicable to the real working world and current economic climate. The work placement then gives you experience of working in an organisation such as a life insurance company, a pension consultancy, an investment management firm or a bank.

The Diploma in Industrial Training is gained through successful completion of this work placement. You will develop real world knowledge, giving you the opportunity to apply and build upon the theory you learn in your studies. It allows you to take on real responsibilities, enhance your interpersonal skills through teamwork and communication, and experience workplace culture.

The Diploma is available to all students, including those from overseas, as it does not require a work visa. If you are planning to come to the UK using a student visa you should check the Tier 4 Student Visa Policy Guidance to confirm you are permitted to undertake a work placement as part of your studies. With support from the HW Career’s Service, you will be responsible to find a  suitable work placement; acceptance onto the course does not guarantee you a placement. If you are registered on the course and are unable to find a suitable work placement before the end of level 3 then you can transfer to the standard BSc  Actuarial Science degree.   Organisations recently involved with the placement programme include Deloitte, Allianz, Royal London, Athora, Aon and XPS Group.

Our programmes are designed with flexibility in mind, so if you fancy a change of direction you can transfer to a range of other mathematical, statistical or actuarial programmes during the first two years.