This MSc is designed for numerically strong graduates who want to pursue a career as an actuary while gaining cutting-edge skills in business analytics and data science. You’ll thrive here if you are ambitious, quantitative, and eager to apply advanced analytics techniques to solve real-world problems in insurance. You’ll also develop programming skills in R and Python, applying creativity and problem-solving to enhance actuarial modelling. Typical career ambitions include qualifying as an actuary, specialising in actuarial data science, or applying business analytics across financial services, consulting, technology, and other analytics sectors.
Career impact
The MSc Actuarial Science with Business Analytics has an outstanding reputation for producing highly employable graduates who stand out in the job market by combining actuarial expertise with in-demand business analytics skills. Many alumni join leading employers such as Willis Towers Watson, Deloitte, Aviva, Prudential, and PwC, moving quickly into trainee actuary roles. Others pursue opportunities in actuarial analytics, risk management, investment, but also banking.
The programme is also designed to offer exemptions from the professional exams of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK, the MSc provides a proven pathway to chartered status. Alumni progress into senior roles worldwide, shaping the future of life and general insurance, pensions, finance, and risk management.
The Bayes London advantage
Located in the heart of the City of London, Bayes offers unparalleled access to actuarial, finance, and technology employers. You’ll gain hands-on experience through guest lectures, case studies, and projects with leading firms, including exposure to the London InsurTech and FinTech sectors. The programme provides access to a vibrant actuarial and financial community, with professional headquarters such as the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Lloyd’s, and major consultancies within reach. Studying in London also provides an international perspective, connecting you with diverse talent and global networks.
Why choose MSc Actuarial Science with Business Analytics?
- Join a world-class programme designed to fast-track your career through dual credentials in advanced analytics and actuarial science, offering exemptions from the professional subjects CM1, CM2, CS1, CS2, CB1, CB2, CP2, and CP3.
- Join the student-led Actuarial, Insurance, Risk and Quants Club.
- Tailor your studies with specialist electives such as FinTech (Italy), International Real Estate Markets (Paris), Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, Emerging Global Risks, and Banking.
- Hands-on experience through industry-designed projects and guest lectures with the Bank of England, USS, and Government Actuary’s Department.
- AI is integrated throughout the MSc, with dedicated literacy workshops and opportunities to apply cutting-edge AI tools in your assessments, ensuring you’re ready for the modern, tech-driven workplace.
- Scholarships and funding include the Haberman Fund and Iain Allan Bursary.
Course objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Apply mathematical, probabilistic, and modelling techniques to solve real actuarial and business problems.
- Develop advanced expertise in life contingencies, insurance risk modelling, finance and investment.
- Acquire a powerful blend of core actuarial foundations and frontline analytics skills.
- Gain hands-on competence in R and Python and data tools.
- Develop mastery of modern analytics methods including machine learning, predictive analytics, natural language processing, and business analytics methods.
- Build the knowledge and exemptions needed to progress towards qualification as a fellow actuary.
Course content
Hands-on, industry-focused learning
On this course you'll have the following opportunities:
- Industry projects: Partner with leading organisations like the Bank of England and Government Actuary’s Department on projects, supervised by academic staff and industry professionals.
- Gain practical, authentic experience: tackle challenges that mirror commercial actuarial work.
- Networking and mentorship opportunities: Build your network and receive mentorship from faculty and industry experts so that you graduate with tangible, career-ready skills.
AI and Innovation
You’ll explore how AI, machine learning, and predictive analytics are transforming actuarial practice through modules such as Machine Learning, Applied Natural Language Processing, and Advanced Predictive Analytics, gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard tools.
Tailored to your interests
In Term 3, you can personalise your studies through our Bayes Elective Modules. These unique options let you dive deeper into specialist areas or broaden your expertise with complementary subjects, giving you the flexibility to shape your learning around your interests.
Term 3 electives include amongst others:
- Financial Groups: The Future of Finance: taught by Jens Perch Nielsen in collaboration with USS, exploring finance innovation and actuarial applications.
- Financial Crime & Valuation of Financial Institutions: the two modules equip students with key insights into banking principles.
For those keen to add a global perspective, our international electives provide the opportunity to gain experience of global business culture and challenges, something that international employers value. For example, FinTech is taught in Italy, covering robo-advisors, blockchain, insurtech, digital payments, and regulation.
Note: the key difference from the MSc in Actuarial Science is that the modules Analytics Methods for Business (term 1), Machine Learning (term 2) and at least two from Applied Machine Learning, Applied Natural Language Processing, and Advanced Predictive Analytics in term 3 become compulsory in this programme.
You are also expected to pass the (non-credit-bearing) modules Introduction to R Programming and Introduction to Python Programming before transferring to MSc Actuarial Science with Business Analytics.
