Bachelor
Are you passionate about diving into data to power decision-making? In this four-year, full-time double degree, you'll explore financial mathematics, data modelling and risk assessment while building expertise in your scientific field of choice.
Are you passionate about diving into data to power decision-making? In this four-year, full-time double degree, you'll explore financial mathematics, data modelling and risk assessment while building expertise in your scientific field of choice.
Actuaries help businesses, governments, not-for-profit organisations and individuals make critical decisions for the future by evaluating risks and opportunities. Through the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies, you'll learn to apply advanced analytical techniques and deliver highly valued data analytics and actionable insights. You'll also develop a specialist quantitative skill set in actuarial models, financial mathematics, probability, machine learning / artificial intelligence analytics, and commerce.
As part of the Science degree, you'll learn how to apply your expertise to real-world challenges across a wide range of industries. With 27 majors on offer, including biology and biodiversity, chemistry, genetics and advanced physics, you'll build your degree around your passions.
Learn from experts in their field
Our courses are taught by world-leading academic staff and professionally qualified actuaries, with involvement from industry practitioners to ensure a balanced development of skills.
Build a degree around your passions and aspirations
This double degree allows you to carve out your own unique skill set across actuarial studies and science. Both are flexible programs that will enable you to shape your degree around your interests and goals. Science allows you to explore and choose from 27 majors, while Actuarial Studies offers actuarial and commerce specialisations as well as options for minors and electives.
Pathway to professional accreditation
Gain exemptions to the Actuaries Institute's professional accreditation exams. Professional accreditation through the Actuaries Institute provides mutual recognition at major international actuarial bodies such as the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK and the Society of Actuaries in the US.
Put theory into practice
Take advantage of our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities to explore potential career paths. These experiences give you the opportunity to apply your skills in a professional context and learn alongside world-leading academics.
The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies offers opportunities for internships, group consulting projects, and global practicums, while the Bachelor of Science includes employability courses including work placements, industry projects and Research Integrated Learning (RIL).
As one of the world's top 20 universities*, we're guiding the future leaders of actuarial studies and science in Australia and overseas.
UNSW Science has eight study areas ranked in the top 50 globally**, including psychology (#30), environmental sciences (#33) and earth and marine sciences (#33).
UNSW Business School is the top business school in Australia.^ Our School of Risk and Actuarial ranks #1 worldwide in the UNL Global Research Rankings of Actuarial Science and Risk Management and Insurance.^^
*QS World University Rankings 2024
**QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
^^UNL Global Research Rankings of Actuarial Science 2023
At UNSW, we balance theoretical and hands-on learning to prepare students to hit the ground running after graduation. For that reason, UNSW was named the 'AFR Most Employable University' at the 2023 Top100 Future Leaders Awards.
No matter which specialisation or pathway you follow, you'll have access to dozens of professional development opportunities and be able to leverage our 400+ industry connections and research partners to start building your own professional network.
At UNSW, you'll join a cohort of passionate students, academics and professionals, all working together to shape a better future. From peer mentoring and student support services to the 300+ clubs and societies across UNSW, you'll connect with open-minded students whose perspectives will expand your worldview.
You'll be able to build up your professional identity through SciConnect - an innovative online system that is integrated into your Science degree to help you settle into university, track your professional development and showcase your skills to future employers. In addition, our Career Accelerator provides a portfolio of professional development opportunities that are exclusive to UNSW Business School students and embedded within our degrees.
Entry to this degree is based on your Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or an equivalent rank derived from the following:
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. For Bachelor of Commerce, Economics, Information System, Science, Science (Advanced Mathematics)(Honours) and Science (Computer Science): Refer to the relevant non-actuarial degree entry
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
|
93
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
8.5
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
15
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)
|
36
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)
|
1310
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.
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
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.
Studying Actuarial and Science as a dual degree at UNSW will unlock a world of possibilities upon graduation. You'll gain transferable skills that can be applied across a variety of industries and functions.
With a Bachelor of Science, you can work in areas as diverse as pharmaceutical and medical research, public policy, environmental research, oceanography, food manufacturing, science education and meteorology. With the combined expertise of an Actuarial Studies degree, you'll unlock roles in a range of industries, including financial services, insurance and superannuation.
Explore our study areas below to discover the range of potential career paths available across the fields of science and business.
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.
You can gain exemption from the Foundation Program of the Actuaries Institute professional examinations, the Core Principles courses of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (UK) professional examinations and the Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) credit for the Society of Actuaries (USA) and Casualty Actuarial Society (USA), by achieving the required academic standard in the professionally accredited courses in their Actuarial Studies program.
Similarly, some students (esp. Actuarial Studies (Co-op) students and double degree students) may also be eligible to gain exemption from the university accreditation components of the Associate Program of the Actuaries Institute professional examinations.