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BAFS Actuarial & Financial Studies
BAFS Actuarial & Financial Studies

BAFS Actuarial & Financial Studies

  • ID:UCD3530052
  • Level:4-Year Double Degree
  • Duration:
  • Intake:

Fees (EUR)

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60
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Admission Requirements

Entry requirements

  • IB - International IB Total 28

    Baccalaureate Diploma Subject Requirements:

  • Maths: 4 at Standard Level

  • Lab Science: 4 at Standard Level

  • (+ GCSE O Level) Subject Requirements:

  • Maths: GCSE Grade C

  • Lab Science: GCSE Grade C

  • Cambridge A Level ABB

  • English requirements
  • Teaching in UCD is through the medium of English; therefore you must demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language to be admitted. UCD's minimum English language requirements are approved by the University Programmes Board and apply to all applicants and all levels of study.

    Undergraduate Applicants: If you are presenting the Irish school leaving certificate you are required to have attained a H7/O6 in English. If you are studying in another education system you are required to show equivalent competency in English either through your school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard in a recognised English language test, as outlined below.

  • Currency of results: For all proficiency tests the results must normally have been issued within the last two years (i.e. for entry in September 2021, results must have been attained since 1 February 2019).

  • Examining Body

    Requirements

    IELTS

    An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. 

    TOEFL

    Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University

    • A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +.

    • A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section.

    The TOEFL code for UCD is DI Code 0087

    Cambridge Examinations

    English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 176+ on Cambridge English scale (with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English)

    Acceptable Examinations:

    • Proficiency Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2).

    • Advanced Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)

    • First Certificate, Grade A (i.e. CEFR Level C1)

    UCLES

    • University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES): English at grade C or above (incorporating the Oxford Examining Body's English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)

    • (Malaysia) Cambridge English Language (1119) conducted overseas by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate: B4 or better.

     UCD Pre-Sessional/Pre-Masters Programmes

    Overall grade C+ with at least grade C- in all components.

    UK Examining Boards/Bodies

    • GCE O-Level English Language at Grade C or above

    • GCSE English Language at Grade C or above

    • GCSE English Literature at Grade C or above

    ETAPP English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP)

    Grade C1 or better (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)

    Pearson English Language Text

    Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section.

    Trinity ISE

    Trinity ISE 3 with at least merit in each skill category

    QQI FET ESL

    Merit or Distinction in the level 5 modules "English as a Second language" or "Communications"

    School Leaving Examinations

    Matriculation/school-leaving examinations from most European Countries and many non-EU countries will meet the requirements where English is presented as a subject at an acceptable level. For example, in the International Baccalaureate English A1, A2 or B: 5 at Higher Level (4 @ either Level if presenting IB through English) will meet the requirement.

    Where the examination has been taken more than 2 years previously candidates may be required to take a proficiency test.

    Where an English proficiency test which is scored on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is presented as part of a school-leaving qualification, grade must be C1/C2.

    Duolingo English Test (DET) –
    Temporary measure for 2020  and 2021 ONLY
    (response to Covid 19)

    The minimum requirement will be a  DET score of 110 is required with at least 100 in each subscore. This test of English will be reviewed during 2021 and a decision taken as to whether it should continue to be acceptable.

    An equivalent level of English

    Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted, e.g. degree through English. For further advice please contact

    For EU undergraduate applicants: UCD Admissions
    For non-EU applicants: UCD Global
    For graduate applicants: contact the school to which you are applying

Course Information

If you enjoy studying Mathematics and you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, the UCD BAFS (Hons) degree could be for you. It will prepare you for a professional career in the actuarial or financial professions, but it has also been designed to be broader and more diverse than most traditional courses in actuarial science. It takes a combination of strong analytical skills, business knowledge and understanding of human behaviour to design and manage programmes that control risk and guarantee sufficient funds for the insurance and pension sectors. For example, the actuary works out the risk (e.g. the likelihood of a fire happening) and calculates how much the customer should pay for insurance cover to ensure that the insurance company has sufficient funds to pay out if the incident occurs.

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This is a sample pathway for a degree in Actuarial and Financial Studies. Subjects include accountancy, finance, mathematics, information management and statistics.

First Year

  • Mathematics

  • Economics

  • Statistics

  • Accounting

  • Computer Science

  • Elective modules

  • Second Year

  • Actuarial and Financial Studies

  • Elective modules

Third Year

  • Actuarial and Financial Studies includes a six month supervised professional placement in insurance and financial institutions in Ireland, the UK or the USA

Fourth Year

  • Actuarial and Financial Studies

  • The Actuarial & Financial Studies course is full time and includes a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practical assignments.

  • Assessment for each module will vary and may comprise a written exam, multiple choice questionnaires and continuous assessment activities.

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Pathway Courses

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Career Opportunity

Career Opportunity

Most BAFS graduates take positions as actuarial trainees in the following:

  • Life insurance

  • Pensions

  • Health insurance

  • General insurance
    Should you achieve a sufficiently high standard in the degree, you will gain some (or all) exemptions from the Core Technical series examinations (CT1:8) as well as the Core Applications CA1 examination of the Institute of Actuaries, or the Faculty of Actuaries. Some graduates also work in banking or finance as business or financial analysts. As a graduate of the BAFS degree, you are also eligible to pursue graduate study in statistics, computer science, economics, mathematics, management science, finance and other specialist business subjects.

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