Course Overview

About This Course

Play a pivotal role in helping businesses, governments, not-for-profit organisations and individuals make critical decisions for the future. The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies is one of the most competitive business programs in Australia, led by world-class academics at the top of their fields. Gain a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies degree at the university ranked #1 globally for Actuarial Studies Research (UNL Global Research Rankings of Actuarial Science and Risk Management & Insurance, 2024). This three-year undergraduate degree is taught by UNSW Business School's School of Risk & Actuarial Studies. Accredited by the Actuaries Institute, the program includes the option to choose a specialisation to diversify your future career as a business professional. Our actuarial studies degree is led by world-class academics and qualified actuaries, with input from industry professionals so you'll graduate with well-rounded skills development and strong industry connections. In the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies at UNSW, you'll build specialist skills in actuarial models, financial mathematics, probability, machine learning and AI analytics – along with commercial expertise in data-driven decision-making, financial risk leadership and quantitative innovation.

Eligibility

Entry Requirements

Requirements

2026 Lowest Selection Rank (ATAR + adjustment factors): 99.2
2026 Lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors): 89.45
2026 A Levels (four Advanced Level A2 subjects): 19.0 (domestic); 17.0 (international direct entry)
2026 IB Diploma: 43.0 (domestic); 41.0 (international direct entry)
International ATAR: 97.0
UNSW Foundation Studies GPA: 9.2
SAT (after 2016): 1390
Assumed knowledge: Mathematics Extension 1
Adjustment factors available: HSC Plus (up to 5 points), Elite Athletes Performers and Leaders (up to 5 points), Educational Access Scheme (1–10 points), Gateway Admission Pathway
Entry programs available for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS)
English language proficiency evidence may be required depending on educational background and citizenship
Alternative entry qualifications accepted: Australian interstate Year 12 qualifications (e.g., OP rank), New Zealand NCEA Level 3, equivalent overseas qualifications (e.g., IB Diploma, GCE A-Levels), post-secondary or tertiary qualifications, or an alternative entry qualification

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the UNSW Bachelor of Actuarial Studies will have the skills to analyse data, evaluate risk and develop strategies that drive long-term value. Whether working in insurance, superannuation, banking, energy or policy, expertise in applying statistical models and business insights will be in demand. Job growth for actuaries and actuarial analysts is projected to rise by 11% over the next five years and average salaries are around $100,000 (Seek, 2025). Career pathways include: Risk and Insurance — Actuarial analyst, Insurance analyst, Pricing actuary, Risk assessment officer, Reinsurance analyst (sectors: Insurance, Reinsurance, Risk management, Superannuation, Government regulation); Investments and Wealth Management — Investment analyst, Asset management trainee, Superannuation adviser, Wealth management analyst, Credit analyst (sectors: Banking, Asset management, Superannuation funds, Private wealth advisory, Financial services); Data Science and Business Intelligence — Data analyst, Data scientist, Risk consultant, Business consultant (sectors: Tech-driven finance, Business consulting, Big data and analytics, Corporate strategy, Energy and utilities); Financial Strategy — Investment banker, Business consultant, Risk consultant, Superannuation consultant (sectors: Banking, Consulting firms, Financial planning, Corporate governance, Government policy).

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Accreditation Details

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Actuaries Institute of Australia

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

Actuaries Institute

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units12 units

MATH1151

Mathematics for Actuarial Studies and Finance 1A

First-year mathematics course for actuarial studies and finance.

COMM1140

Financial Management

Core commerce course covering financial management principles.

ECON1101

Microeconomics 1

Introduction to microeconomic principles.

ACTL1101

Introduction to Actuarial Studies

Introductory course to actuarial studies concepts.

COMM1180

Value Creation

Core commerce course focused on value creation.

MATH1251

Mathematics for Actuarial Studies and Finance 1B

Second first-year mathematics course for actuarial studies and finance.

ECON1102

Macroeconomics 1

Introduction to macroeconomic principles.

COMM1170

Organisational Resources

Core commerce course covering organisational resources.

ACTL2111

Financial Mathematics for Actuaries

Second-year course in financial mathematics for actuaries.

ACTL2131

Probability and Mathematical Statistics

Second-year course covering probability and mathematical statistics; may be substituted by MATH2901 and MATH2931.

ACTL2102

Foundations of Actuarial Models

Second-year course covering foundations of actuarial models.

COMM2501

Data Visualisation and Communication

Second-year course in data visualisation and communication.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What professional accreditation can I gain from this degree?

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies is accredited by the Actuaries Institute, and graduates can earn exemptions from the Actuaries Institute's Foundation Program in Australia or VEE credit from the Society of Actuaries (US). Mutual recognition arrangements between major actuarial associations mean that professional qualifications are internationally transferrable, including recognition at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK and the Society of Actuaries in the US.

What specialisations are available within the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies?

Students can choose from three Actuarial Studies majors: Computational Data Science, Actuarial Risk Management & Analytics, and Quantitative Data Science. Alternatively, students can choose a Commerce major such as AI in Business and Society, Accounting, Behavioural Economics, Business Analytics, Business Economics, or Finance. Students may also choose a second commerce major, though this may result in more units of credit required for degree completion.

What is the program structure and how many units of credit are required?

The Bachelor of Actuarial Studies is a three-year degree consisting of 24 courses totalling 144 Units of Credit (UOC). These are made up of: Level 1 Actuarial Studies Core Courses (48 UOC), Level 2 Actuarial Studies Core Courses (24 UOC), Level 3 Actuarial Studies Core Courses (6 UOC), Level 3 Actuarial Studies Electives (18 UOC), Free Electives (36 UOC), and General Education (12 UOC).

Can I combine the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies with another degree?

Yes, UNSW offers double degree options for the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies. Students can combine their actuarial studies with another degree such as a Bachelor of Commerce, Computer Science, or other UNSW Business School degrees. Double degrees can help students become more of a specialist in a particular area or gain a breadth of skills that meet the demands of today's organisations.

What career outcomes can I expect as a graduate of the Bachelor of Actuarial Studies at UNSW?

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles including Actuarial Analyst, Insurance Analyst, Pricing Actuary, Data Scientist, Investment Analyst, Risk Consultant, and Investment Banker, across sectors such as insurance, banking, superannuation, asset management, consulting, and government policy. Job growth for actuaries and actuarial analysts is projected to rise by 11% over the next five years and average salaries are around $100,000 (Seek, 2025). UNSW has been awarded the Most Employable students for seven years in a row (AFR Top100 Future Leaders & Graduate Employers Awards, 2020–2026).

Application

How to Apply

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Step 02

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Step 03

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