Actuarial maths in DCU or UCD?

Fince

its that time of yr again, CAO time.
i'm fairly set on actuary, but dunno whether to do the course in ucd, or one of the two courses in dcu (actuarial studies or the common entry into actuary, finance and maths sci)

maths sci in ucc is also an option

any1 have any suggestions?

Tau

I've heard that the one in DCU is more mathematical, and the one in UCD slightly more business oriented.

Its worth considering that UCD has a far better international reputation, especially the quinn school. Won't make a difference in Dublin, but if you want to travel...

I'd also advocate doing a maths degree and then becoming an actuary - doesn't close off any options and leaves quite a few others open!

heller

UCD gets you more exemptions in the actuarial exams afterwards.

Tau

heller wrote: »

UCD gets you more exemptions in the actuarial exams afterwards.

The opposite was true when I was applying.

*I am no expert, check for yourself!*

I would say though, that exemptions are overrated. If you know the material, you can pass the exams quickly.

Often, companies give defined pay rises for each exam you pass while with the company, but don't give you a higher starting salary for joining with exemptions - leaving you better off if you don't have exemptions, but pass exams as soon and as fast as possible...

Fince

heller wrote: »

UCD gets you more exemptions in the actuarial exams afterwards.

i'm fairly sure you can get 8 exemptions from DCU and UCD. and at the moment its 6 in UCC

Fince

Tau wrote: »

The opposite was true when I was applying.

*I am no expert, check for yourself!*

I would say though, that exemptions are overrated. If you know the material, you can pass the exams quickly.

Often, companies give defined pay rises for each exam you pass while with the company, but don't give you a higher starting salary for joining with exemptions - leaving you better off if you don't have exemptions, but pass exams as soon and as fast as possible...

thats true, but ur probably less likely to be taken on if ur come out without the exemptions. e.g. 2 guys coming out of same course going for same job, 1 has 8 exemptions, 1 has 4 exemptions. easy decision.

Tau

Fince wrote: »

thats true, but ur probably less likely to be taken on if ur come out without the exemptions. e.g. 2 guys coming out of same course going for same job, 1 has 8 exemptions, 1 has 4 exemptions. easy decision.

I've done most of my applications in the UK, and to actuarial consultancies rather than insurance companies, but I didn't get that impression at all. On the job, experience means a lot more, so the two graduates won't be that far different.

I have a big fat zero exemptions, and I was told by employers that they preferred people with theoretical degrees. You can always pick up the Business Studies later.

(although I'm not sure what you mean about coming out of the same course with different exemptions. did you mean same college, different courses?)

Elsta

Tau wrote: »

The opposite was true when I was applying.

*I am no expert, check for yourself!*

I would say though, that exemptions are overrated. If you know the material, you can pass the exams quickly.

Often, companies give defined pay rises for each exam you pass while with the company, but don't give you a higher starting salary for joining with exemptions - leaving you better off if you don't have exemptions, but pass exams as soon and as fast as possible...

I've been looking into a career in actuarial sciences and have found some valuable info on the average actuary salary... but this was really a useful insight on how to plan for taking exams once a starting job is secured. A starting salary of $60k would be nice, but it's really more important where I'll end up ultimately

LeixlipRed

Unlikely your starting salary would be that high and there's more to life than earning crap loads of cash.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

A quick update on the exemption situation:

UCD is now fully accredited by the professional actuarial bodies. Students in UCD can now gain all the previous CT exemptions which were available but also an exemption in CA1 which is a huge advantage because that is a pretty large exam.

I believe UCD may be the only university where this is possible.

Grudaire

Interesting, when did that happen!?

I know that when I looked into it DCU was clearly the better choice, the longer work experience being a big part of that, also that UCD really didn't sell the course at all (At their Open Day the only thing the person on the stall knew about Actuary was that "If you don't get UCD, DCU run the same course as well")

But I'm not sure why Elsta brought this thread back up...

bnt

You can check the exemptions on the UK Institute of Actuaries website, here:

UCC and DCU can get you 8 exemptions (CT1..8) based on the Actuarial B.Sc, while the UCD "Bachelor of Actuarial and Financial Studies" gets you those 8 plus CA1. DCU offers a Graduate Certificate that exempts CA1 and CA3.

Grudaire

UCC doesn't get CT5...

Other then that yea, you're right