The management of large quantities of data presents a global challenge to many industries. The tools and techniques which data science provides us with are 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 - Fellows, Associates, Students, and Affiliates; 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. The certificate will also introduce you to some of the technical tools used in data science. However, it is not intended to be a course on technical data science programming.
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
Booking is now open for our programme – commencing 13 January running until 24 March 2022.
Booking will remain open until 6 December 2022
You can also register your interest for programmes in our 2022/2023 schedule and we will update you nearer the time:
- 28 April - 7 July 2022
- 29 September - 8 December 2022
- 19 January - 30 March 2023
By completing the Expressions of Interest form you will be given priority booking and notified about the course you are interested in before a general notice is made that bookings are open to the wider membership.
Course cost and information
The cost is £1,450.00, 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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The Growth Mindset for Actuaries
13 October 2021 - 8 December 2021This practical course is aimed at actuaries at any stage of their career who want to develop their own growth mindset and apply it to their work setting and personal or professional lifelong learning. The content of the course builds on the lecture given by Dr Helen Wright on Growth Mindset as part of the President’s 2021 Lecture series, and will be delivered over a period of 2 months, from mid-October to early December.
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The Many Faces of Bias
2 December 2021
This webinar looks at the many types of biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts they can have in the workplace. Raising our own awareness and understanding of the issues can help us avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias in particular. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘office banter’ but are we sure that’s how those on the receiving end perceive it and is it ok to go along with it? -
Actuaries need to take action now - but how? With a focus on climate change, this session will provide informed insight to enable you to improve your knowledge and understanding of the issues involved, demonstrate how it will impact advice to your clients, and highlight prospective opportunities for actuaries within pensions and wider fields. -
Pensions Winter Forum: Pension Scams
8 December 2021
Pension scams have become more prevalent as a result of the pandemic, and Trustees have increased responsibilities to protect members, which means that actuaries need to be in a position to provide advice in this area. Our specialist panel will include a professional trustee, an IFA and head administrator, two of whom are members of PASA. -
Sessional Meeting: Allowing for shocks in portfolio mortality models
15 December 2021The Covid-19 pandemic creates a challenge for actuaries analysing experience data that includes mortality shocks. To address this we present a methodology for modelling portfolio mortality data that offers local flexibility in the time dimension. The approach permits the identification of seasonal variation, mortality shocks, and late-reported deaths. The methodology also allows actuaries to measure portfolio-specific mortality improvements. Results are given for a mature annuity portfolio in the UK
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The Brian Hey Prize 2021 - LocalGLMnet: interpretable deep learning for tabular data
15 December 2021In this webinar, the authors of the 2021 Brian Hey prize winning paper present a new deep learning model called the LocalGLMnet. While deep learning models lead to very competitive regression models, often outperforming classical statistical models such as generalized linear models, the disadvantage is that deep learning solutions are difficult to interpret and explain, and variable selection is not easily possible.
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The dominant underwriting approach is a mix between rule-based engines and traditional underwriting. Applications are first assessed by automated rule-based engines which typically are capable of processing only simple applications. The remaining applications are reviewed by underwriters or referred to the reinsurers. This research aims to construct predictive machine learning models for complicated applications that cannot be processed by rule-based engines.
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Pensions Winter Forum: How to win the pensions endgame
19 January 2022
With the Pension Schemes Act 2021 requiring a long term strategy from Trustees and sponsors, choosing a pensions endgame strategy has become even more critical. However, it is important that the endgame options available are adequately assessed before choosing one. With an ever-increasing array of creative and innovative options available, this decision may not be straightforward.
This webinar looks at the many types of biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts they can have in the workplace. Raising our own awareness and understanding of the issues can help us avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias in particular. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘office banter’ but are we sure that’s how those on the receiving end perceive it and is it ok to go along with it?
Actuaries need to take action now - but how? With a focus on climate change, this session will provide informed insight to enable you to improve your knowledge and understanding of the issues involved, demonstrate how it will impact advice to your clients, and highlight prospective opportunities for actuaries within pensions and wider fields.
Pension scams have become more prevalent as a result of the pandemic, and Trustees have increased responsibilities to protect members, which means that actuaries need to be in a position to provide advice in this area. Our specialist panel will include a professional trustee, an IFA and head administrator, two of whom are members of PASA.
With the Pension Schemes Act 2021 requiring a long term strategy from Trustees and sponsors, choosing a pensions endgame strategy has become even more critical. However, it is important that the endgame options available are adequately assessed before choosing one. With an ever-increasing array of creative and innovative options available, this decision may not be straightforward.