- Approach problems in an analytical, precise and rigorous way
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the key skills required by a trainee actuary, including data collection methods, statistical method development, analysis of statistical output
- Demonstrate strong proficiency in appropriate computational methods
- Give oral presentations of technical material at a level appropriate for the audience
- Model real-world problems using the appropriate framework and on that basis, make forecasts and analyse risk
- Prepare written reports on technical subjects in statistics, actuarial science, and finance in clear and precise language
- Use the language of logic to reason correctly and make deductions
This course is available through the following application route(s)
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)
Contact Us
- EU Enquiries: smspostgrads@ucd.ie
- Non-EU Enquiries: internationalenquiries@ucd.ie
- Designed specifically for those seeking to enter the actuarial profession
- Students who perform well in the programme may obtain subject-by-subject exemptions from the Core Technical examinations of the Institute & Faculty of Actuaries (UK)
About This Course
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
MATH20130 | Fundamentals of Actuarial and Financial Mathematics I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT20190 | Professional ethics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40060 | Actuarial Mathematics 1 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40250 | Survival Models | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40680 | Stochastic Models | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40920 | Financial & Actuarial Maths I | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT41000 | Core Actuarial Principles 1 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT41050 | Statistical Modelling for Act | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT41060 | Probability and Statistics | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
MATH20210 | Fundamentals of Actuarial and Financial Mathematics II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT20180 | Introduction to Bayesian Analysis | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40070 | Actuarial Statistics II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40100 | Actuarial Mathematics 2 | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40600 | Actuarial Reporting I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40610 | Actuarial Reporting II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40930 | Financial & Actuarial Maths II | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40980 | Core Actuarial Principles 3 | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A) Min 1 of: Students select 60 credits from the available list. NB. Modules to be selected in consultation with Programme Director. |
STAT40990 | Core Actuarial Principles 2 | Spring | 5 |
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.
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.
GradDip Actuarial Science (F036) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 12670
nonEU fee per year - € 17150
***Fees are subject to change
EU fee per year - € 12670
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.
- This programme is intended for applicants with degree in a quantitative area such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering or economics and/or finance. An upper second class honours or international equivalent is required. Degrees in Commerce or Accounting do not generally carry sufficient mathematics and statistics content to make students eligible for the Grad Diploma in Actuarial Science.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.
School of Mathematics and Statistics Application Process FAQ
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information.
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
The Graduate Diploma 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).
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Actuarial Science:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to | Application Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F036 Actuarial Science Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2024 |
Graduate Taught | Closed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | F036 Actuarial Science Graduate Diploma |
Full-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Graduate Taught | Apply |
* you can change options at the top of the page