CPD events
The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries offers a number of events for its members. This includes conferences, seminars, and other less formal meetings.
These events offer CPD opportunities and also the chance to engage in information sharing and networking with other members. Outlined below are the different types of meeting arranged by the profession with an indication of the likely size and cost of each type of event.
Sessional meetings
Peer-reviewed papers are presented by the authors, then the floor is open for discussion; attendees are expected to have read the paper in advance. Over a 12-month period, each practice area will usually offer one paper which is generally presented in both London and Edinburgh. The number of people attending varies but typically ranges between 100 and 200. After the event, the presentation and discussion appears on the profession's website in MP3 format and as a webcast. The paper and discussion are later reproduced in the British Actuarial Journal.
Cost: No charge
CPD: 1.5 hours on average
Locations: Primarily in Edinburgh and London
Papers: Posted on the profession’s website in advance of the meeting; hard copies are available on request.
Open fora
These are generally informal in style. One or two speakers will speak on a topic for about 20-30 minutes each, then the floor is open for discussion. Open forum events usually deal with hot topics or developing issues that would benefit from discussion. The number of people attending typically ranges between 25 and 150.
Cost: No charge
CPD: 1.5 hours on average
Locations: Primarily in Edinburgh and London
Papers: If there are any, these will be posted on the profession’s website in advance of the event or immediately following the event.
Networking Evenings
These events generally offer CPD on hot or niche topics to members. Each event will usually have two speakers who speak for an hour before opening the floor to discussion. The format is reasonably informal and the talk and discussion is followed by a drinks reception. The number of people attending typically ranges between 50 and 150.
Cost: £25
CPD: 1.5 hours on average
Locations: Primarily in Edinburgh and London
Papers: If there are any, these will be posted on the profession’s website in advance of the event or immediately following the event.
Half-day or one-day seminars
These seminars offer CPD across a wide range of topics throughout the year across all the practice areas. Each seminar will usually offer a range of speakers and can include plenary and/or breakout sessions. The format is formal CPD learning with limited opportunity for discussion. The number of people attending can range between 30 and 250.
Cost: £225-£345 (depending on length of event and whether there are breakout sessions.)
CPD: 2.5 - 6 hours
Locations: Primarily in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Manchester
Papers: Posted on the members’ only section of the profession’s website in advance of the event and accessible only to delegates at that stage. The papers are moved to the public area of the profession’s website three weeks after the event.
Intensive learning experiences
The topics for these events are usually multidisciplinary but can also include practice-specific issues. These events are intended to take delegates with little or no knowledge of a topic to expert status during the course of one to two days. Some pre-work is usually involved and the number of people attending is usually limited to 20-40. The learning environment emphasises group work and a high level of interaction among attendees.
Cost: £345-£645 (depending on length of event)
CPD: 6-11 hours
Locations: Primarily London
Papers: Posted on the members’ only section of the profession’s website in advance of the event and accessible only to delegates at that stage. The papers are moved to the public area of the profession’s website three weeks after the event. Prework is sent to attendees several weeks before the event.
Residential conferences
Each practice area offers one residential conference a year. These events offer a combination of plenary sessions and three to 13 breakouts over two to four days. The number of people attending can range between 100 and 1,000. These events offer mostly formal CPD learning. However, specific sessions encourage interactivity and the majority of conferences include some element of professionalism skills CPD.
Cost: £695-£1095 (depending on length of event and number of sessions.)
CPD: 10-15 hours
Locations: UK and Europe
Papers: Posted on the members’ only section of the profession’s website in advance of the event and accessible only to delegates at that stage. The papers are moved to the public area of the profession’s website three weeks after the event.