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Actuarial Science
BSc (Hons) · 4 Years · Full-time · 14/09/2026 · UndergraduateEdinburgh Campus
Course summary
Heriot-Watt is a world-leading centre of teaching and research in actuarial mathematics, financial mathematics, risk management, probability and statistics. As the first department to offer a BSc in Actuarial Science in the UK, we have over 40 years of experience in delivering excellence and our actuarial programmes are fully accredited by the UK actuarial profession (IFoA). We are also recognised as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the North American Society of Actuaries (SOA), the world’s largest actuarial professional organization. We are the only Center of Actuarial Excellence in Europe.
Our Actuarial Science degree is ideal if you’re interested in maths and looking for a course that offers a rewarding career – both intellectually and financially. Good performance means exemptions from professional examinations (CT1-CT8), giving prospective actuaries a head-start to their career. At the same time our programme opens doors to the wide range of careers available to maths graduates.
Actuarial Science students at Heriot-Watt can take advantage of our international campuses by taking part in an Inter-Campus Transfer. This gives you the opportunity to study at our Malaysia campus for a semester or a year, while still benefitting from the same accreditation by the IFoA as in Edinburgh, with the chance to gain the same professional exemptions.
Our programmes also offer the chance of a year-long industrial placement or a year studying abroad in Canada or Australia. Once an Actuarial Science student at Heriot-Watt, you could also apply to join the PwC Actuarial Flying Start Programme which includes two six-month, paid, work placements with PwC. It's the perfect way to gain valuable industry experience during your time at university. If successful, you'll join PwC's actuarial team in London and work directly with their clients - helping them plan for uncertainty as well as identifying, quantifying and managing their risks. They are known for the outstanding training they provide to graduates and if you do well, you could also get a job offer for when you graduate.
Our Students’ Actuarial Society (SAS) is entirely managed, enthusiastically and professionally, by our Actuarial Science students. With over 250 members, it is one of the largest societies dedicated to actuarial studies in the UK. Regular conferences, professional development and networking events with leading actuaries keep members up-to-date with the profession and in a prime position to begin their careers.
Please visit our website for further information on our 3 year honours degrees
How to apply
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- GG13
- Institution code:
- H24
- Campus name:
- Edinburgh Campus
- Campus Code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
- Year 2
- Year 3
Entry requirements
Standard Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - AAB
including Mathematics at A for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: AAA including Mathematics.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDD
in a relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics) for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: DDD in a relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics)
Scottish Higher - AAAB
including Mathematics at A.
Scottish Advanced Higher - AAB
including Mathematics at A plus AAAB at Highers for entry to Year 2.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 points
with Higher Level Mathematics at 6 for entry to Year 1.
For entry to Year 2: A total of 30 points with Higher Level Mathematics at 7.
GCSE/National 4/National 5
It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
Scottish HNC - Pass
HNC in relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics at SCQF Level 6) with B in graded unit for entry to Year 1.
Scottish HND - Pass
HND in relevant subject (including sufficient Mathematics at SCQF Level 6) with BB in graded unit for entry to Year 1.
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
We operate contextual admissions defined by our Fair Access Policy which may mean entry requirements are flexible.
We accept a wide range of other qualifications from the UK, Europe and International countries. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for further information on the entry requirements for these.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
-
A level - ABC
including A in Maths.
Scottish Higher - ABBC
including A in Maths.
GCSE/National 4/National 5 - It is also a requirement of every applicant to have English and Mathematics at a minimum of National 5 Grade C or GCSE Grade C or 4 (or equivalent)
-
Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) - Pass
We accept Foundation Apprenticeships in combination with other qualifications such as SQA Highers and Advanced Highers.
T Level
We will consider T Levels as suitable for entry to our degree programmes, however, certain subject requirements may be required for entry to specific programmes. Where this is not evident as part of the T Level studies, we may ask for additional qualifications.
The University guarantees to make a minimum entry offer to anyone who would be considered a Home or Rest of UK (RUK) applicant and who has achieved, or can achieve, the required grades from the following categories:
Priority postcode areas – Home Scottish applicants from SIMD20 postcodes or RUK applicants from POLAR 4 quintile 1 areas – identified through Scottish and UK government targets.
Care experience – Home Scottish or RUK applicants who have had experience of care, including adoption, kinship care, foster care and home supervision orders.
English language requirements
Applicants whose native language is not English and who have not been educated previously in the English language must provide evidence of their English language ability to ensure they can cope with the demands of a Heriot-Watt programme taught and assessed in English. Further information about the English Language tests that we currently accept as proof of English Language ability including our own English Language programmes, can be viewed on our website.
HWU English Language Requirements https://www.hw.ac.uk/study/entry/english-language-requirements.htm
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
We realise that not everyone has an equal opportunity to evidence their full potential from school or college qualifications alone, so we use all the information you provide on your application form to assess both your current achievements and potential to thrive at university. Our minimum entry levels apply to MD20, POLAR 4 Q1 and care experienced students. Students from other widening access backgrounds may get an adjusted offer which is slightly lower than our standard entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for Heriot-Watt University - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| EU | £25808 | Year 1 |
| International | £25808 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Heriot-Watt University
Riccarton
Edinburgh
EH14 4AS
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Admissions Office
Email:studywithus@hw.ac.uk
Phone:0131 451 3376
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