Bachelor
By measuring and managing risk, actuaries help businesses, governments, not-for-profit organisations and individuals make critical decisions for the future.
The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Co-op) at UNSW is accredited by the Actuaries Institute.
By measuring and managing risk, actuaries help businesses, governments, not-for-profit organisations and individuals make critical decisions for the future.
The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Co-op) at UNSW is accredited by the Actuaries Institute. It emphasises real-world experience from the outset, and gives you the opportunity to choose a specialisation, developing an area of expertise for your career. You'll gain a specialist quantitative skill set in actuarial models, financial mathematics, probability and statistics.
UNSW's Co-op Program
Financial assistance
The Co-op Program provides a scholarship of $19,600 per year for four years (and it's tax-free).
Work experience included
Complete up to three internships, a total of 18 months industry training. You'll trial working at our Co-op Program sponsor organisations, which include leading global organisations like EY, KPMG and PwC.
Personal career mentoring
For your first work placement, you'll be assigned a Co-op Program graduate to guide you and help your decision-making.
Leadership training
Build professional development and leadership skills through challenging, practical and social camps and interactive workshops.
Optional second major
You can choose to build knowledge in a second business subject, which will support and complement your actuarial knowledge while broadening your career opportunities.
Learn from industry leaders
Our courses are taught by world-leading academic staff and industry practitioners to ensure a balanced development of skills.
UNSW Business School is ranked the #1 business school in Australia by AFR BOSS*. That means our business education leads the way in career impact, quality and reputation.
We're currently ranked #1 worldwide in risk management, insurance, and actuarial research with strengths in population ageing, risk and capital.**
Alongside a rigorous education, you'll grow professionally and socially through the UNSW Co-op Program's scholarship, work placements with leading global organisations, personal mentoring and leadership training.
*AFR BOSS 2022 Best Business School Rankings
**2021 UNL Global Research Rankings of Actuarial Science and Risk Management & Insurance.
The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies (Co-op) features sponsored professional development and has limited places available. In addition to meeting the required ATAR (or equivalent), you'll need to respond to a questionnaire and sit for an interview with UNSW Co-op Program.
ATAR equivalent ranks are derived from the following:
Australian interstate Year 12 qualifications (e.g., OP rank)
New Zealand NCEA Level 3
Equivalent overseas qualifications e.g., International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, GCE A-Levels
You can apply after a gap year (max. 2 gap years) however please note that if you commence a university degree or undertake any university study towards a degree during their gap year you'll become ineligible for a Co-op Scholarship. Some exemptions apply, e.g. accelerated high school subjects.
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.
To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.
We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.
Mathematics Extension 1
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you're completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
Please contact us for direct entry requirements. |
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
Please contact us for direct entry requirements. |
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
Please contact us for direct entry requirements. All applicants must present a minimum of two Advanced Level (A2) subjects. Entry Scores are calculated from the best two, three, or four A2 Level subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2 and E=1. |
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
Please contact us for direct entry requirements. Results based on scores required for entry into UNSW in 2019 and are only applicable if the Diploma has been completed. Students currently attempting the IB can apply directly to UNSW or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). For more details, visit www.uac.edu.au |
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
Please contact us for direct entry requirements. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) based on the total of evidence-based reading and writing and mathematical test scores. Must be provided in conjunction with evidence of successful completion of senior secondary studies. |
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
The pathways to study at UNSW Business School include UNSW Foundation studies and our Diploma of Business, which offers a direct pathway to the second year of UNSW's Bachelor of Commerce. Visit UNSW Global for more information.
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you'll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College's Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
Actuaries have diverse career prospects. You'll graduate with skills, experience and expertise that will put you in high-demand with a range of employers, including life and general insurance companies, banks, fund managers, actuarial and management consulting firms.
Your exclusive access to internships with industry-leading Co-op Program sponsor organisations, offers the opportunity to kick-start your career as you study.
Take your Actuarial Studies knowledge to the next level with an additional one-year Honours degree, where you'll gain advanced knowledge and research skills in your chosen area of business. You'll have the opportunity to be mentored by top-tier researchers and work on industry relevant projects while undertaking a significant research thesis. Graduate with advanced knowledge, analytical, problem-solving and research skills that are highly sought after in business and government. Learn more about Actuarial Studies Honours.
This degree is accredited by the Institute of Actuaries of Australia and relevant courses are approved for VEE by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) in the USA.