Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Finance)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Finance) at the University of New South Wales combines rigorous actuarial training with specialised finance studies, preparing students to analyse risk, make data-driven financial decisions, and solve complex business challenges. Ideal for students who enjoy mathematics, statistics, economics, and financial markets, the program develops expertise that is highly valued across insurance, banking, investment, consulting, and financial services industries. Campus Location: Kensington Campus, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build a strong foundation in business, economics, mathematics, and quantitative analysis. Core subjects such as Business and Economic Statistics, Financial Management, and Microeconomics introduce the analytical and financial principles that underpin actuarial and finance careers. During this year, students also develop problem-solving and data interpretation skills essential for advanced actuarial study.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on actuarial modelling, probability, and corporate finance concepts. Through subjects such as Actuarial Models and Statistics, Probability and Stochastic Processes, and Corporate Finance, students learn how to evaluate financial risks, assess uncertainty, and apply quantitative methods to real-world business and investment decisions.

Year 3:
In the final year, students integrate advanced actuarial and finance knowledge to address complex industry challenges. Subjects including Life Contingencies, Investment and Asset Liability Management, and Derivative Securities develop expertise in risk management, financial markets, insurance valuation, and investment strategy while preparing students for professional actuarial accreditation pathways.

Focus Areas

Actuarial modelling, financial mathematics, investment analysis, risk management, insurance analytics, corporate finance, statistics, predictive analytics, derivative securities, asset liability management.

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced quantitative and analytical skills; assess and manage financial and insurance risk; apply actuarial techniques to business problems; evaluate investment opportunities and financial strategies; interpret complex data for decision-making; communicate technical findings effectively to professional stakeholders.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is accredited by the Actuaries Institute and enables eligible students to gain exemptions from several Foundation and Actuary Program subjects, providing a recognised pathway toward professional actuarial qualification.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UNSW Business School is internationally recognised for excellence in business education and graduate employability. The university consistently ranks among the world's leading institutions and is regularly placed among Australia's top universities for graduate employment outcomes and employer reputation in global rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Finance) at the University of New South Wales combines rigorous actuarial training with practical finance education, ensuring students graduate with both technical expertise and real-world problem-solving skills. Throughout the program, students work with industry-standard analytical tools, financial datasets, and quantitative modelling techniques used by actuaries, investment professionals, and risk managers. Learning is highly applied, with opportunities to analyse complex financial problems, evaluate risk, and develop evidence-based solutions in collaborative environments.

This practical focus is strengthened through industry engagement, advanced facilities, and hands-on analytical experiences:

Business School Work Integrated Learning (WIL): Students can participate in internships, industry projects, consulting experiences, and employer-led initiatives that provide direct exposure to professional actuarial and finance environments.
Actuarial Modelling & Statistical Analysis: Students apply actuarial and financial theories using quantitative modelling techniques, probability analysis, forecasting methods, and risk assessment frameworks commonly used within the industry.
Industry Software & Digital Tools: Coursework incorporates professional analytical and statistical tools including Excel, financial modelling applications, statistical software, and data analytics platforms used in actuarial and financial services sectors.
Bloomberg Trading Lab: Students have access to Bloomberg terminals and real-time financial market data through UNSW Business School facilities, enabling practical experience in investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial decision-making.
Data Analytics & Financial Research Projects: Students complete applied projects involving large datasets, financial markets, investment strategies, insurance risk assessment, and business forecasting to develop professional analytical capabilities.
Collaborative Group Projects: Many finance and actuarial courses incorporate team-based projects, presentations, and case studies that replicate workplace scenarios faced by financial analysts, actuaries, and consultants.
Industry Guest Lectures & Networking Events: Students regularly engage with professionals from insurance companies, banks, consulting firms, superannuation funds, and investment organisations through seminars, workshops, and networking events.
Professional Actuarial Pathway: The program is accredited by the Actuaries Institute, allowing eligible students to gain exemptions from selected professional actuarial subjects while studying.
UNSW Business School Facilities: Students benefit from modern teaching spaces, collaborative learning environments, financial databases, digital learning platforms, and specialised business school resources designed to support quantitative and financial education.
UNSW Library Services: Access to extensive finance, economics, business, mathematics, statistics, and actuarial science collections, as well as premium research databases including financial and market intelligence resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Finance) at the University of New South Wales combine advanced actuarial expertise with specialised finance knowledge, creating a powerful skill set for analysing risk, investments, and financial decision-making. This combination prepares graduates for careers across insurance, banking, investment management, consulting, superannuation, and financial services, where quantitative and analytical skills are in high demand.

Typical roles include: Actuarial Analyst, Investment Analyst, Risk Analyst, Quantitative Finance Analyst.

Career Development Support: UNSW Employability and Career Discovery: Provides career coaching, resume and interview preparation, mentoring programs, networking events, internship support, and access to graduate recruitment opportunities with leading financial institutions, insurers, and consulting firms.
Employment Outcomes & Salary Insight: Actuarial and finance graduates are among Australia's highest-earning graduates. Graduates typically achieve a median starting salary of approximately AUD 85,000–95,000 per year, with strong long-term earning potential as they gain professional qualifications and industry experience.
Industry Partnerships: UNSW Business School Industry Connections: Students engage with major employers across banking, insurance, investment management, consulting, and financial services through internships, industry projects, employer presentations, networking opportunities, and case competitions.
Accreditation & Long-Term Value: Professional Accreditation: The actuarial component is accredited by the Actuaries Institute and provides exemptions from selected Foundation and Actuary Program subjects. The finance specialisation also provides a strong foundation for globally recognised professional pathways such as the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Program.
Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop expertise in actuarial modelling, investment analysis, financial risk management, quantitative methods, statistical forecasting, and strategic financial decision-making, making them highly competitive across a broad range of financial and analytical professions.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the Master of Actuarial Studies, Master of Finance, Master of Commerce, Master of Data Science and Decisions, Master of Business Analytics, or research-focused honours and doctoral programs. They may also pursue professional qualifications through the Actuaries Institute and the CFA Institute to further strengthen their expertise, professional recognition, and career advancement opportunities.