Developments in the modern financial industry have led to a rapidly changing financial world. These changes create a growing need for graduates who are well skilled in the financial models and quantitative techniques that are used in modern actuarial and financial mathematical applications. Students who are enrolled for a BSc (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics) degree can tailor their coursework in either an actuarial or a financial mathematics option throughout their three years of study. The programme provides students with a broad education that will serve them beyond what is usually expected of a graduate in these fields.
The actuarial programme is structured to provide the aspiring actuary with the opportunity to fulfil the requirements needed for exemption from the ASSA examinations in the shortest possible time. In order to achieve the maximum exemptions, a follow-up honours degree is recommended. Students who elect not to complete the actuarial qualification will be well equipped to enter the financial services industry or apply for a host of other postgraduate degree options.
For aspiring financial analysts or engineers, the programme provides depth and develops the student’s ability to design and analyse financial products. The analytical techniques that are essential for modelling the stochastic behaviour of financial processes and analysing the resulting effects on investment portfolios are studied.
The Department of Actuarial Science is extremely proud of its alumni. Former students occupy the highest positions in the insurance and investment world, not only in South Africa, but also abroad. It strives to keep its programme competitive and to afford students the opportunity to leave the University with a number of exemptions from the examinations of the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA). It has highly skilled academics who serve on various ASSA committees.
For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.
Actuarial and financial mathematics is a popular field, with career opportunities in the business market and at investment institutions like banks and insurance companies. The skills of mathematicians are essential in portfolio management and the modelling of financial risk. This programme prepares students for professional careers as actuaries or financial engineers. For actuaries or actuarial technicians, activities include long-term capital projects, designing the benefits of medical schemes, the management of pension funds, the determination of contributions and financial management on a sound long-term basis, the evaluation of investments in shares, property and other transactions, and the determination of the premiums and reserves for outstanding claims of insurers. Financial engineers can be employed by banks and financial institutions, brokerage firms and investment institutions. The mathematical skills of financial engineers are essential in portfolio and risk management. Activities include asset management (trading in bonds, futures and derivative instruments such as options), designing new financial products, and devising strategies to control credit risk.
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Transferring students
Candidates previously registered at UP or at another university
The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers applications of candidates who have already completed the final NSC or equivalent qualification examination and/or were previously registered at UP or another university, on grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.
Candidates previously registered at a FET college or a university of technology
The faculty’s Admissions Committee considers the application of these candidates on the grounds of their final NSC or equivalent qualification results as well as academic merit.
Qualifications from countries other than South Africa
University of Pretoria website: click here
Minimum requirements | ||||
Achievement level | ||||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | APS | ||
NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | |
5 | C | 7 | A | 36 |
* Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission.
* International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission.
Candidates who do not comply with the minimum admission requirements for BSc (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics), may be considered for admission to the BSc – Extended programme – Mathematical Sciences. This programme takes a year longer than the normal programmes to complete.
BSc – Extended programme – Mathematical Sciences Minimum requirements | ||||
Achievement level | ||||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | APS | ||
NSC/IEB | AS Level | NSC/IEB | AS Level | |
4 | D | 5 | C | 28 |
Admissions from the BSc — Extended programmes to the BSc (Actuarial and Financial Mathematics) programmes will only be considered if students have passed all their first-year modules with a wighted average of at least 60%, passed IAS 111 and achieved a minimum mark of 60% for WTW 143 and WTW 153.
3 years, full-time.
The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences is a diverse faculty with 13 departments that is supported by more than 20 centres and institutes. More than 5 000 students register in this faculty annually of which 70% are undergraduate and 30% postgraduate students.
All degree programmes are designed to develop problem-solving individuals who can easily adapt to changing circumstances and take the lead in their chosen fields of specialisation. The qualifications awarded are of world-class and provide access to a multitude of career opportunities for dynamic and creative people.
In the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, we strive to continuously improve our high impact research and significantly address the national shortage of PhD graduates that respond to global and local challenges.
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