Studying in Dutch
| Language of instruction | Dutch |
| Duration of programme | 3 years |
Actuarial Studies
Contents of the programme
Actuariële wetenschappen
People nowadays have the opportunity to arrange their financial matters well. After a burglary, an illness or a car accident, the proper insurance will cover the damage. An actuary or insurance mathematician calculates the amount of premium that needs to be paid for example for fire and theft-, disability-, or car insurance.
This is not as easy as it seems. Should a heavy smoker have to pay more premium for health insurance than a non-smoker? The relationship between accidental occurrences and financial risks is a central one when defining the amount of a premium.
Actuaries take into account interest, inflation and cost development, as well as societal aspects. They use models, statistics and information science when determining a premium. They are also involved in investment policy.
The UvA is the only university in the Netherlands offering a study programme in Actuarial Studies. Students will do a lot of calculating, analysing and predicting. This way you learn how to solve economic and managerial problems. You will also often use mathematical models and other representations of reality.
The first one and a half year of the programme coincides with the bachelor’s programme in Econometrics and Operational Research. This means that students can delay their final choice for one of the two studies until halfway during the second year. Later on in the bachelor’s programme there is the opportunity to follow courses from other UvA economics programmes.
The bachelor's programme in Actuarial Studies maintains close ties with the professional association, the Actuarial Society, as a result of which a lot of attention is paid to the interaction of actuarial theory and practice.
A binding study advice applies to all bachelor’s programmes of the Faculty of Economics and Econometrics. During the first year your study progress will be monitored and discussed during consultations.
Students who have successfully completed the programme will be awarded the title Bachelor of Science (BSc).
Master's programmes
In order to obtain the status of actuary you will have to complete the master’s programme as well. The master's in Actuarial Studies at the UvA is the only master's in Actuarial Studies offered in the Netherlands.
To be recognised as actuary by the professional society, you will also need to complete postdoctoral professional training.
Follow the link below for a complete overview of master's programmes offered by the UvA (in Dutch).
The job market
Actuaries are indispensible at insurance companies. The study programme in Actuarial Studies continually anticipates future developments and society's needs.
Career prospects are excellent. Actuaries can find jobs at insurance companies, actuarial consultancies, pension funds, financial agencies and accountancy firms.
You can also opt for an academic career. If you wish to do research, you will study for a PhD which involves writing a dissertation. Actuaries do research in the in the area of life- and indemnity insurances and pension funds.