The management of large quantities of data, presents a global challenge to many industries. The tools and techniques which data science provides us with is helping to make sense of it.
Actuaries, by the nature of their work, are familiar with using data, but ensuring that they are familiar with some of these emerging techniques is increasingly important.
In addition, actuaries increasingly work alongside data scientists and will benefit from a better understanding of how they work.
The Certificate in Data Science is part of the IFoA’s lifelong learning agenda, and is a significant step for the IFoA as we seek to provide opportunities for our Members to continually develop their skillset in a fast moving, ever changing business environment.
How
This is a 10 week online programme. There will be eight weeks of learning with structured support for learners, followed by two weeks to complete the final programme assignment. The estimated weekly study time commitment for the certificate is 8-10 hours. This certificate has been designed to be taken anywhere in the world.
Who
The certificate is open to all our members whatever your background or experience in this area. No prior knowledge of coding is required.
What
The purpose of this certificate is to provide an introduction to the concepts, tools and techniques used in data science, and their relevance within an actuarial context.
A key part of data science is understanding how it can be applied. The certificate will therefore blend both theory and practice to ensure that these techniques are understood in an actuarial context, with the use of case studies.
The programme
The programme is broken down into 6 manageable modules:
1: Introduction to data science, data management & processing
2: Data analysis + introduction to Machine Learning (ML)
3: Data Visualisation and Communication
4: Further Analysis and Artificial Intelligence
5: Good practice of Data Science, and responsible AI
6: Future directions
Learning outcomes
At the end of this programme you will be able to:
- Understand core concepts in data science and how they relate to AI and ML.
- Retrieve, process and manage relevant data in a range of formats.
- Analyse relevant datasets with state-of-the-art tools and techniques.
- Identify opportunities to apply business solutions with the latest ML and AI technologies in an actuarial context.
- Provide insights about the legal, ethical and technical implications of using big data and AI in an actuarial context.
When
In 2021 three programmes will run:
- 7 Jan – 18 Mar 2021
- 29 Apr – 8 Jul 2021
- 2 Sep – 11 Nov 2021
Register your interest
By completing the Expressions of Interest form you will be given priority booking, and notified before a general notice is made that bookings are open to the wider membership for the course you are interested in.
The cost is £1,400.00, which includes:
- access to all materials
- feedback following your first assignment
- access to two group tutorials
- assessment review
View the Candidate Information Pack on the Southampton Data Science Academy website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Read our FAQs to find out more about the Certificate in Data Science.
Filter or search events
Events calendar
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Professional Skills Training Webinar - 12 August 2020
Webinar12 August 2020
A Trusted ProfessionThis free 1 hour CPD webinar is designed to meet the IFoA’s Stage 3 Professional Skills Training under the IFoA’s CPD Scheme 2019/2020 and is suitable for actuaries working in any area (i.e. it is not specifically aimed at Pensions, GI or any other technical discipline) and is interactive.
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PHC Conference webinar: Cancer morbidity risk modelling – regional variation over time
Webinar12 August 2020
Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar seriesModelling the structure and trends of cancer morbidity risk is important for pricing and reserving in related health insurance fields such as critical illness insurance and care provision. We model the dynamics of cancer incidence over time in different regions in England, using 1981-2016 ONS data. The modelling allows estimation of cancer rates at various age, year, gender and region levels, following a Bayesian setting to account for statistical uncertainty. Our analysis indicates significant regional variation in cancer incidence rates.
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PHC Conference webinar: Learnings from our first climate-change related disclosures (TCFD)
Webinar13 August 2020Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar seriesIn this talk we will outline the steps Aviva took in pulling together our first large-scale disclosures on the exposure of our business to climate change published in March 2019; in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. After touching on why insurers have such an important role in climate change, we'll cover a brief “how-to” guide for those who have not yet embarked on thinking about these topics before giving a case study of how the learnings from a TCFD disclosure exercise can be applied to investment portfolios.
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PHC Conference webinar: Can we manage Diabetes risk for healthier outcomes
Webinar17 August 2020Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar seriesThe insurance industry currently underwrites customers with diabetes based on a range of factors, medical expertise and various medical studies. The work undertaken by the Diabetes Working Party would help the industry to approach this using current research findings to update and enhance how potential risk from diabetes is considered. This includes the need to understand the underwriting implications as treatments improve, and potentially to develop new products that are tailored to those with diabetes. This webinar will present our latest findings in the management of this important chronic condition which will include research in collaboration with the ARC.
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The new IFoA CPD scheme – What it means for you
Webinar21 August 2020This event is now fully booked. To join the wait list, please register here.
Get ready for the new CPD Scheme launching on 1 September. Join us for a discussion on what the new Scheme will look like in practice. There will be an opportunity to field questions to the IFoA Executive on how the Scheme’s requirements will affect you.
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Asia Conference Webinar Series
Webinars1 September 2020 - 24 September 2020
There will be a prestigious line-up of international speakers discussing the insurance and financial industry’s innovation and change in Asia. The conference will take place throughout September via an online platform. The webinars consist of plenary speaking sessions and a series of workshop sessions including Life, GI, Data Science, Sustainability, Risk Management and Investment.This will be the perfect opportunity for you to discover,ask questions and be at the forefront of current and developing actuarial/financial topics and trends in Asia.
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Webinar: Is banking so different to insurance? Comparing an ICAAP with an ORSA
Webinar2 September 2020
In this webinar we will provide an insight into enterprise-wide risk management in banking, showing similarities to the world of insurance as well as identifying differences. Just as insurance companies have to submit an ORSA, so bank’s have to submit their own equivalent, the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process or ICAAP. -
Examination Preparation
Webinar10 September 2020IFoA Webinar on Examination guidance for those candidates sitting Examinations in September, delivered by the Education Actuaries
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Personal and Professional Lifelong Learning – Supporting CPD Co-ordinators and Others
Webinar23 September 2020
This free 90 minute webinar is designed to support the IFoA CPD Co-ordinators, and others, involved in supporting our members to achieve their CPD requirements. The programme will include an overview of the new CPD Scheme; specifically sharing with you key messages to support you implement and embrace the new CPD Scheme for our members within your organisation and regional community; how to arrange a reflective practice discussion; and an interactive reflective practice discussion learning exercise. In addition, delegates will gain information about accessing, and making the most of the IFoA event Toolkits which you can make use of to run your own in-house events and events for regional communities.
There will be a prestigious line-up of international speakers discussing the insurance and financial industry’s innovation and change in Asia. The conference will take place throughout September via an online platform. The webinars consist of plenary speaking sessions and a series of workshop sessions including Life, GI, Data Science, Sustainability, Risk Management and Investment.
In this webinar we will provide an insight into enterprise-wide risk management in banking, showing similarities to the world of insurance as well as identifying differences. Just as insurance companies have to submit an ORSA, so bank’s have to submit their own equivalent, the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process or ICAAP.
This free 90 minute webinar is designed to support the IFoA CPD Co-ordinators, and others, involved in supporting our members to achieve their CPD requirements.