Developing personal and professional skills

The people who work as actuaries have all sorts of backgrounds, as you'll see from the profiles of the actuaries featured on this website. However, they all have certain things in common - they all enjoy maths. They also have the ability to solve problems, analyse data, evaluate financial risks and communicate clearly. If you decide to become an actuary, these are the skills that you too will develop whilst studying for the professional qualification.

Maths is an everyday part of the job, so ideally you'll be studying a degree like actuarial science, maths, statistics, engineering, science or economics - but any graduate with strong numerical skills can qualify as an actuary.

On your way to achieving an internationally recognised and coveted qualification, you'll develop all the key personal and professional skills to do the job - through exams and work-based training.

Core topics include statistical modelling, economics, financial and actuarial mathematics, together with the established areas of actuarial work in investment, finance and asset management, life assurance, general insurance, pensions and employee benefits. Exemptions from some examinations are possible depending on your degree course.

Study is normally by correspondence courses, which are run by specialist providers and supplemented by tutorials. Employers also typically provide support in the shape of paid study leave, mentoring, coaching, and meeting the costs of learning materials.

Qualification usually takes between 3 and 6 years. The majority of exams are held twice a year and the timetable is designed to give you the flexibility to manage work and study to suit you. After qualification, professional development continues throughout your career.