Actuarial Science
B-ACTUAR

Actuarial Science

Bachelor degree

Become an expert in predicting the effects of long-term risk in financial decisions and planning.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 92
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Science (Actuarial Science)
  • Duration

    Duration

    3 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    600
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    038785D
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2024

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2025

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

2026

Semester 1

On campus

Semester 2

On campus

Course outline

Overview

Overview

Actuaries analyse various data to predict and assess the long-term risks involved in financial planning and decisions. They also apply their expertise to other areas – such as assessing the timing and location of extreme weather events, to help predict risks and associated costs for investments or insurance.

In this course, you will gain the knowledge and skills in mathematics, statistics, data analytics, demographics, finance and economics to work as a financial analyst in organisations that deal with risk.

You'll learn the mathematical and statistical techniques to model industrial and commercial processes against a financial and economic background. You’ll also learn to identify the risk factors and determine the price and cost of those risks.

In your third year, your studies will focus on either Actuarial Science or Actuarial and Applied Statistics.

Actuarial Science

This area is recommended if you intend intend to complete further studies and qualify as an actuary. It enables you to gain exemptions from the six subjects comprising the Foundation Program of the Actuaries Institute (Australia).

You must achieve the minimum course-weighted average to study Actuarial Science in third year.

Actuarial and Applied Statistics

This area is best if you want to broaden your expertise in data analysis and statistics but don't intend to work as an actuary. (It doesn't include all subjects of the Actuaries Institute's Foundation Program.)

How this course will make you industry ready

Throughout your studies you'll build your knowledge of the principles of finance and business, to ensure that you graduate career-ready.

What jobs can the Actuarial Science course lead to?

Careers

  • Actuary
  • Business analyst
  • Data scientist
  • Mathematician
  • Risk manager
  • Statistician

Industries

  • Banking and financial services
  • Insurance
  • Superannuation
  • Energy and mining resources
  • Public sector finance and infrastructure
  • Education
  • Health

Further study

What you'll learn

  • acquire discipline knowledge and professional capabilities to identify a problem, research and interpret the data and apply appropriate techniques to develop an effective solution;
  • understand contemporary issues relevant to the actuarial working environment; demonstrate cross-cultural awareness and respect;
  • apply discipline knowledge and problem solving skills to critically approach challenging, relevant problems and develop innovative solutions
  • show awareness of relevant global developments; understand how to respond to change, by monitoring results and through self-reflection and ongoing learning, in order to apply and adapt knowledge and skills
  • apply computer software appropriately to gather and prepare data, perform calculations, analyse and communicate results; use relevant digital technology to communicate effectively in a manner appropriate to the audience and purpose
  • collaborate with others in teams, displaying high ethical and moral standards in addition to problem solving and time management skills, in order to solve problems relevant to a range of stakeholders

Professional recognition and accreditation

This course is accredited in Australia by the Actuaries Institute, and it is the only actuary course offered by a Western Australian university.

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 92

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 92

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Mathematics Methods ATAR

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    Mathematics Specialist ATAR

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway, but may be used to demonstrate English language proficiency.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’

‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway, but may be used to demonstrate English language proficiency.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    Not accepted. VET studies cannot meet the equivalent ATAR requirement. 

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT is not accepted as an entry pathway, but may be used to demonstrate English language proficiency.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

To switch into this course, you need to have:

  1. Attained an ATAR of 92

    or

    Completed 200 credits with a course weighted average (CWA) of 80% or higher including at least 50 credits of Mathematics or Statistics with an average of 80% or higher per unit

  2. Met the Mathematics Methods ATAR prerequisite (or equivalent).

Prerequisite Information
The Mathematics Methods ATAR prerequisite can be met with the following Curtin unit:
MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus
MATH1016 Calculus 1

Higher education course switcher criteria

To switch into this course from another higher education course provider, you need to have:

  1. Attained an ATAR of 92

    or

    Completed 200 credits with a course weighted average (CWA) of 80% or higher including at least 50 credits of Mathematics or Statistics with an average of 80% or higher per unit

  2. Met the Mathematics Methods ATAR prerequisite (or equivalent).

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$9,500*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

2025 Fee year:

$9,800*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

  • Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
  • Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2025

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

2026

Semester 1
  • On campus
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

How to apply

Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

Please note that each campus has different application deadlines. View our application deadlines page for further information.

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Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: B-ACTUAR
  • CRICOS code: 038785D
  • Last updated on: 21 December 2024

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