Direct answer
The official Queen’s University Belfast course page for the MSc Actuarial Science (Academic Year 2026/27) states a minimum entry requirement of a 2.2 Honours degree (minimum 55%). The programme is a full-time, one-year conversion course aimed at graduates with a strong quantitative background from disciplines such as maths, statistics, finance, or any programme with high mathematical content. The page does not publish a separate country-specific equivalency table for Chinese qualifications; it provides only the UK degree classification threshold. Applicants holding Chinese bachelor’s degrees must therefore verify the equivalent accepted grades and institution recognition directly with the university’s admissions office or international student pages, as this information is not contained on the course page.
What the official page establishes
The course page confirms the MSc Actuarial Science is a postgraduate taught programme delivered by Queen’s Business School, a Russell Group institution. It is designed as a conversion route for quantitative graduates and offers the opportunity to gain up to six exemptions from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) professional exams, covering CM1-2, CB1-2 and CS1-2. The entry threshold is explicitly listed as a 2.2 with a minimum score of 55%. The programme runs full-time over one year and places are listed as OPEN.
What still requires live rechecking
The official course page does not include a Chinese qualification equivalency scale. It does not state whether a Chinese four-year bachelor’s degree with a specific percentage or GPA meets the 2.2 (55%) requirement. The page also does not list English language proficiency requirements, application deadlines, deposit amounts, or tuition fee details for international students. All of these elements require a live check of the university’s international admissions pages or direct confirmation from the admissions team.
Course structure and professional exemptions
The MSc Actuarial Science is structured across three semesters. Semester 1 covers Financial Mathematics, Statistical Analysis for Actuarial Applications, Corporate Finance, and Economic Thinking for Actuaries. Semester 2 includes Actuarial Mathematics and Contingencies, Statistics for Insurance, Survival Modelling, and Computational Methods in Finance. Semester 3 is dedicated to an Applied Research Project. The programme is accredited to offer up to six IFoA exemptions, which can fast-track a graduate’s actuarial qualification.
Quantitative background requirement
The page specifies that the programme is aimed primarily at students with undergraduate degrees in maths, statistics, finance, or any other programme with a high degree of mathematical content. It does not list specific prerequisite modules or a required mathematical syllabus. Applicants from non-quantitative backgrounds are not explicitly excluded, but the course description frames the programme as a conversion route for those already possessing strong quantitative foundations.
Teaching faculty and industry engagement
The course page names Dr Mark Farrell FIA as Programme Director and Mr Neil McConville FIA as a Lecturer in Actuarial Science. Both are Fellows of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries with industry experience. The page also references an annual ‘City Tour’ to London, on-campus networking events, and guest lectures featuring actuaries from consulting and insurance. These elements are presented as programme highlights, not as entry requirements.
Facilities and student opportunities
Students on the MSc Actuarial Science have access to the FinTrU Trading Room, which houses 26 Bloomberg terminals, and use software such as Python and R. The page also mentions the Queen’s Student Managed Fund, DataCamp access, and a ‘Future-Ready Skills for Leaders’ programme. These are listed as features of the student experience and do not form part of the entry criteria.
FAQ
What is the minimum UK degree classification for the MSc Actuarial Science?
The official page states a minimum entry requirement of a 2.2 Honours degree with at least 55%.
Does the page list specific entry requirements for Chinese applicants?
No. The page provides only the UK degree classification threshold. It does not publish a country-specific equivalency for Chinese bachelor’s degrees.
How many IFoA exemptions can this programme offer?
The programme offers up to six exemptions from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries professional exams, specifically CM1-2, CB1-2 and CS1-2.
Is the programme open for 2026/27 entry?
Yes. The page lists the entry year as Academic Year 2026/27 and places available as OPEN for full-time study.
What academic background is expected for this MSc?
The course is aimed at graduates from maths, statistics, finance, or any other programme with a high degree of mathematical content.
Further reading
Official sources
The entry requirement of a 2.2 (minimum 55%) and all course details are drawn from the official Queen’s University Belfast course page for MSc Actuarial Science: https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/actuarial-science-msc/
For broader context on UK postgraduate options, see our guides on the University of South Wales and Canterbury Christ Church University. If you are working with an education agent, you may also find our agent comparison resource useful. For students facing academic integrity procedures, our explainer on show cause processes provides relevant guidance.