Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 1 Years
- Attendance:
- Full Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Face-to-Face
- Next Intake:
- 2024/2025 September
- Contact Name:
- Contact Number:
- +353 (0)1 716 2580
- Fees:
- Fee Information
The Graduate Diploma in Actuarial Science is designed for students from quantitative disciplines who ultimately wish to train as an actuary upon completion of the programme. The Graduate Diploma can help fast track your career as an actuary by supporting you through the initial examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, UK.
The programme provides a solid foundation in mathematics, statistics, economics and finance for future actuarial studies. The programme is suitable for students with no prior exemptions and for students who wish to add to any exemptions they already have.
Download the UCD Science Graduate Taught Courses brochure (pdf)
Curricular information is subject to change
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
This programme is aimed at students from numerate disciplines who ultimately wish to train as an actuary upon completion of the programme. Students will be supported through the initial examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK), thereby placing the graduates on a fast track to a career as a qualified actuary. Our students will be in demand by employers in the pensions and insurance industries, but also in financial services more generally. They will be well positioned to transition to careers in data analytics, financial engineering, stock and options trading and fund management if they so desire, such is the extent of the transferable skills conferred by their programme of study.
Our students will be able to use the tools they have learned to explain, describe and predict complex financial trends and manage risk accordingly. We aim to provide a teaching and learning environment that develops confidence and independence through a wide variety of interactive formats, both inside and outside the classroom, in industrial and academic settings. In addition to traditional terminal written examinations, the programme includes individual continuous assessment and group assignments involving oral and written presentation, improving the communication skills of students for their future careers. Several subjects will feature software-based analysis and develop computer-programming skills in languages such as R and Excel that will position students well in the new age of analytically driven decision making in insurance and finance.
In addition to the core actuarial subjects that predominantly make up the Grad Dip Actuarial Science programme of study, students will additionally have access to relevant subjects from the wider discipline of statistics and actuarial science where appropriate, broadening their education to meet the growing demands of big data that are set to shape the actuarial landscape in the years ahead. They will also be provided with CV preparation and interview skills workshops in cooperation with UCD Careers in preparation for transition to the professional workplace environment.
Students must complete a minimum of 60 ECTS credits of work over two semesters. Students select between 5 and 7 subjects from the list. Most subjects are made up of two or more modules and students must take all modules comprising their selected subjects. Depending on their subject choices students may have to take more than five subjects to ensure the minimum 60 ECTS credits requirement is met. Each Subject of the Graduate Diploma Actuarial Science corresponds to the equivalently named Core Technical or Core Applications Subject of the examinations of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK).
GradDip Actuarial Science (F036) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 12360
nonEU fee per year - € 17150
***Fees are subject to change
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. Please note that UCD offers a number of graduate scholarships for full-time, self-funding international students, holding an offer of a place on a UCD graduate degree programme. For further information please see International Scholarships.
The Graduate Diploma Actuarial Science offers potential exemptions from the Core Technical subjects CM1 CM2 CS1 CS2 CB1 CB2 and CB3 examinations of the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries (UK). If you have prior actuarial exemptions you may choose to study all or part of the syllabus for examination Core Applications 1 (CA1) of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK).** The programme is therefore suitable for students with no prior exemptions and for students who wish to add to any exemptions they already have.
** No exemptions are offered from the examinations of the Institute and Faulty of Actuaries in respect of CA1.
School of Mathematics and Statistics Application Process FAQ
Graduate Profile
Alex Clarke, Actuarial Trainee, Lloyd’s of London
The quality of the education was excellent, arising from the level of experience and dedication of the lecturers. Within three weeks of completing my final exam I had four job offers and chose what I felt was the most interesting area for me.
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised