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Certificate in Data Science

The IFoA is delighted to be working with the Southampton Data Science Academy to present a certificate in data science jointly accredited by the Web Science Institute at the University of Southampton.

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.

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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.
     

View the full syllabus
 

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.
 

Register your interest now
 

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.
 

Find out more
 

Filter or search events

Start date
E.g., 24/09/2020
End date
E.g., 24/09/2020

Events calendar

  • Asia Conference Webinar Series

    Webinars
    7 September 2020 - 25 September 2020

    Spaces available

    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.

     

  • Asia Conference Webinar: Ageing/Mortality Panel Session

    Webinar
    24 September 2020

    Spaces available

    12.00-13.00 GMT+8

    This presenter / panel workshop hybrid will be anchored by two presentations examining the socioeconomic, medical and technological factors that will have a significant impact on mortality and our pricing over the next 20 years and beyond. It will also discuss whether significant mortality improvement will continue in Asia or whether varying experience of low improvements or deterioration. 

  • Asia Conference:The C-Ross Phase II and its Potential Impact on Chinese Market

    Webinar
    25 September 2020

    Spaces available

    12.00-13.00 GMT+8

    This presentation aims to provides an overview of the reformation of current Chinese regulatory solvency regime, how industry coping with the new normal after pandemic time and how the reformation of the regulation could help the insurance industry gets back on its feet as well as coming back to the “protection” core value for the policyholders. The presentation would include:

  • Asia Conference:Changes of China’s 2nd set Standardized CI definitions and Mortality Table

    Webinar
    25 September 2020

    Spaces available

    16.00-17.00 (GMT+8) | 09.00-10.00 (BST)

    The basic data of China’s 2nd Critical Illness Mortality Table covers 2000+ products in Chinese market, including about 340 million insurance policies and 5.1 million claimants. Presenter will give the audience a general understanding including but not limited to the following contents:

  • Autumn Lecture 2020: Professor Elroy Dimson

    Online webinar
    14 October 2020

    Spaces available

    Many individuals and institutions have a long-term focus, and invest funds for the benefit of future generations. Their strategy should reflect their long horizon. University endowments are one of the oldest classes of institutional investor, and I will present the first study of the management of these endowments over the very long term.

  • GIRO Conference 2020 Webinar Series

    Available to watch globally in November.
    02-13 November 2020
    Spaces available

    This year's GIRO has been re-designed as a virtual conference to offer members and non-members the opportunity to get up to date content from leading experts in the general insurance field via online webinars. All sessions will be recorded and made available to purchase and re-watch post-event on the IFoA's GI Online Learning Resource area.

  • Autumn Pensions Webinar: Cash is King - What next for CDI?

    Webinar
    4 December 2020

    Spaces available

    Cash-flow driven investing is a game-changer for DB pension funds navigating their end-game. Suitable for sponsors who want to reduce risks on their balance sheets. And for trustees, it shifts the focus to providing greater certainty of returns, managing funding level volatility and ensuring they have enough income to pay cash-flow requirements.

  • Autumn Pensions Webinar: Impact of Dividends

    Webinar
    8 December 2020

    Spaces available

    The talk will provide an understanding of the priorities and relationships between deficit reduction contributions, in the context of wider scheme funding, and different types of value outflow from the employer based on the working party’s recently published report.