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uva.nl
Master
Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance
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Why this pre-Master’s programme

If your prior education does not (completely) fit the entry requirements, this pre-Master’s is your stepping stone to getting admitted to our MSc Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance.

Obtaining your MSc degree is a great step for your career. Expert teachers will challenge you to think differently and form your own views and opinions to tackle complex issues. You will also start building your network of experts and leaders in your specialisation (track). Future employers will reward these achievements with a relatively high starting salary and promotion opportunities.

Study programme

You have a full academic year to successfully complete the 48 ECTS programme. Throughout this year, you can expect excellent teaching and support from our professors. Each highly respected in their field of expertise. We selected a fixed set of 8 courses for you. These form an excellent preparation for one of the 2 specialisation tracks you will later on choose within the MSc Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance.

The 8 courses of our pre-Master's
  • Life Insurance Mathematics

    Learn about life contingent risks and related financial products. Acquire the skills to calculate actuarial present values, premium structures and policy values for different types of life annuity and life insurance products.

  • Mathematics and Empirical Finance

    Learn about modern investment and portfolio theory. Focus on the development of financial-economic theories as well as the required mathematical and statistical techniques needed to analyse and implement them.

  • Probability Theory and Statistics 3

    Gain fundamental insights into classical mathematical statistics and learn how to work with basic statistical models.

  • Statistical Learning

    Learn about the issues and challenges of statistical learning, such as: model selection, model complexity and the strengths and weaknesses of many popular statistical learning approaches. Acquire the skills to implement various statistical learning algorithms in a range of real-world applications.

  • Econometrics 1

    Learn how to explain and apply different econometric models to real data and interpret the estimation results. Do the basic assumptions hold? If not, what are the consequences. Can you apply an alternative estimation technique?

  • Risk Theory

    Study and discuss the individual and collective risk models for total claims in an insurance portfolio. Learn about the Ruin theory, the Dutch bonus-malus system and the Markov analysis. Implement the various concepts and techniques with programming language R.

  • Stochastic Models in Life Insurance

    Study the elements of probability theory, stochastic processes and stochastic calculus. Learn how to apply stochastic formulations of mortality events and analyse the effects of stochastic mortality on premiums and reserving in life insurance.

  • Research Seminar Actuarial Science & Mathematical Finance

    Collect your own data sets and analyse them with appropriate techniques.

Our pre-Master’s in brief

Language English
Duration 1 academic year
ECTS 48 ECTS
Start pre-Master's September
Start MSc Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance Following academic year in September (choose 1 of 2 tracks)
Cost You pay tuition fee per ECTS. Calculate your tuition fee

Entry requirements 

This pre-Master’s programme is selective. Only students with an EU/EEA nationality and previous EU education who have obtained the highest grades and best fit the programme are selected. Capacity restrictions may apply; meeting the entry requirements is no guarantee for being admitted to the programme.  

The entry requirements for this pre-Master’s programme depend on previous education. 

How to apply

If you meet all the admission requirements, you can apply for the pre-Master's programme. Please complete these steps to apply. Only applicants who complete these steps will be considered.

If you have received the great news that you are (conditionally) admitted to the programme, it's time to focus on other essential matters like arranging a visa (if necessary), finding accommodation, and preparing for the start of your academic journey. Want to get an early idea of what you need to consider? Visit one of these helpful pages: practical information / praktische zaken (Dutch info).