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Bachelor
Actuarial Science
Vergelijk

The programme

The first 2 academic years of the Bachelor’s in Actuarial Science are almost in common with the Bachelor's programme in Econometrics and Data Science.

COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Macroeconomics for AE
    Period 1
    6
  • Mathematics 1: Calculus
    Period 1
    6
  • Microeconomics for AE
    Period 2
    6
  • Probability Theory and Statistics 1
    Period 2
    6
  • Introduction Econometrics and Actuarial Science
    Period 3
    6
  • Finance for AE
    Period 4
    6
  • Mathematics 2: Linear Algebra
    Period 4
    6
  • Probability Theory and Statistics 2
    Period 5
    6
  • Programming and Numerical Analysis
    Period 5
    6
  • Introduction Data Science: Data Preprocessing
    Period 6
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Life Insurance Mathematics
    Period 1
    6
  • Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear Algebra and Real Analysis
    Period 1
    6
  • Mathematics 4: Multivariate Analysis
    Period 2
    6
  • Probability Theory and Statistics 3
    Period 2
    6
  • Statistical Learning
    Period 3
    6
  • Econometrics 1
    Period 4
    6
  • Mathematical Economics 1
    Period 4
    6
  • Econometrics 2
    Period 5
    6
  • Risk Theory
    Period 5
    6
  • Empirical Project
    Period 6
    6
COURSES SEM 1 SEM 2 SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2 EC
  • Free-choice electives: Studying abroad, or Minor, or Electives
    Period 1
    Period 2
    Period 3
    24
  • Mathematical and Empirical Finance
    Period 1
    Period 5
    6
  • Financial Accounting in Life Insurance
    Period 4
    6
  • Stochastic Models in Life Insurance
    Period 4
    6
  • Bachelor's Thesis and Thesis Seminar Actuarial Science
    Period 5
    Period 6
    12
Compulsory course
Elective
  • Your study week

    Expanding your knowledge and at the same time developing your skills is key. That is why you will participate in a variety of teaching activities. Most of the courses are evaluated with one or more tests. This is usually a written examination, but it can also be an essay, a report, or a presentation.

    Lectures (8 hours)
    Lectures give an introductory overview into the course content. You will attend them together with your fellow students. You take notes and have the opportunity to ask questions.

    Also, you can expect guest lectures from experts working in a wide range of economic organisations and fields.

    Tutorials (6 hours)
    During seminars you will discuss specific subjects from the lectures in small groups. Exercises and practice assignments will help you to become adept with the theory. 

    Practicals (2 hours)
    During practicals you learn how to work with various mathematical and statistical computer programmes. 

    Self-study (20 hours)
    During your study week, you spend time to study theory, go over lectures and seminars, and prepare for exams and presentations. 

  • Year 1: develop a solid foundation

    This year is all about your basic knowledge of mathematics, statistics and economics. During the courses:

    • you will get acquainted with the quantitative economics programmes: Actuarial Science, and Econometrics. 
    • you will examine case studies and complete assignments on the computer. 
    • you will learn to work with advanced mathematical and statistical software such as R.
  • Year 2: extend your foundation

    The 2nd year enhances your mathematical, statistical and research skills. You will start to apply these tools to econometrics and data science. You will execute your first ever research project. Also, you will take mandatory courses like Risk Theory and Life Insurance Mathematics.

  • Year 3: analyse and solve problems

    The 1st semester of this year is all yours to construct: take electives, follow a minor, do an internship or study abroad. In the 2nd semester, you will become more and more familiar with the process of mathematically translating and clarifying the financial and economic risk-management problems faced by insurers, financial institutions and government bodies. And of course, you will be writing your BSc thesis. 

  • Thesis

    Are you enthusiastic about a new development or idea in Actuarial Science? Wile writing your thesis, you have the chance to explore it fully while simultaneously training your ability to independently conduct and communicate relevant research. Your thesis is the final requirement to be completed for your graduation.

  • Watch the recording of the online information session
    Learn more about the Bachelor's programme in Actuarial Science and in Econometrics and Data Science. Our Programme directors explain what you can expect of these challenging Bachelor's programmes. Additionally our students share their experiences with this Bachelor’s, study association VSAE and student life in Amsterdam.
    Learn more about the Bachelor's programme in Actuarial Science and in Econometrics and Data Science. Our Programme directors explain what you can expect of these challenging Bachelor's programmes. Additionally our students share their experiences with this Bachelor’s, study association VSAE and student life in Amsterdam.
Copyright: EB
Hi, I'm Ekaterina! I'm a Bachelor’s student in Actuarial Science from Russia. Got questions about studying at the UvA? Get in touch. Chat with Ekaterina
Additional options during your studies
Actuarial Science explained

Student Fadzai and our Programme Director explain what the Bachelor's programme Actuarial Science is about. 

challenges posed by climate change
Real-life case: challenges posed by climate change

An increasing number of scientists agree that climate change is leading to more frequent and severe natural disasters. These disasters result in property damage, presenting a challenge for the insurance sector. How do we quantify the risks of disasters for a property or region? How do we adjust our calculations to account for climate trends? How should we factor in the extra uncertainty caused by climate change into the prices of insurance products? How many reserves should we set aside to protect ourselves from this uncertainty? Learn how to address these questions using empirical data, statistical models, and programming skills.

Responsibility, sustainability and ethics integrated to the curriculum

In this Bachelor's programme, you will learn how to use mathematics, probability and statistics to quantify (financial) risks. Social issues increasingly play a role in this. The study programme therefore regularly covers topics such as sustainability, ethics and social responsibility. For example, you will learn how to quantify the risk of (natural) disasters and how calculations should be adjusted taking sustainability issues into account.

How are these themes integrated into the curriculum?

Throughout this 3-year programme, themes related to sustainability, ethics and corporate social responsibility will remain important topics. Through practical assignments, you will directly apply the knowledge you acquire during your studies to current topics in the media and real business cases. These topics are often related to ethics, corporate social responsibility and/or sustainability. This starts in the 1st year in Introduction Econometrics and Actuarial Science and Introduction Data Science. Furthermore, there is an explicit focus on ERS themes in courses such as Mathematical Economics 1 and Econometrics 1 and 2.

Justin Kersten, student BSc Actuarial Science
Copyright: EB
'I learned things about myself that I would not have if I had studied elsewhere' Justin Kersten, student Actuarial Science Read about Justin's experiences with this Bachelor's
Frequently asked questions