Learn to help companies and organisations manage risk. The Christchurch earthquakes, the global financial crisis, and climate change concerns have all shone a spotlight on the need to better plan for the future. Actuarial Science brings economics, mathematics, and statistics together to forecast and manage risks.
Study at the only university in New Zealand to offer a programme in Actuarial Science and take advantage of the University's industry connections through work experience placements. You’ll get the knowledge and skills you need to set you on the path to become a qualified actuary. This major will allow you to substitute some of the Actuaries Institute of Australia exams with academic coursework.
Career options
Professional actuaries are traditionally involved in superannuation, insurance, and banking. But there is growing demand for actuarial skills in a range of business disciplines, including education, finance and stockbroking, government, health, investment, management consultancy, and software development. Actuarial work is generally very well paid.If you love maths and like the idea of finding solutions to problems for the benefit of society, then Actuarial Science is a good option for you.
Professional accreditation
Actuarial Science is a fully accredited programme with the Actuaries Institute of Australia. Students seeking to become an actuary may be granted exemptions from the Institute’s foundation subjects. A grade of B+ or higher is required in all listed courses that comply with foundation subjects.Actuarial Science is co-taught by the School of Mathematics and Statistics and the School of Economics and Finance. If you choose this major, you might consider taking it alongside a second major in Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, or Finance.
Undergraduate degrees
Here are some of the undergraduate degrees you can look at studying.
Bachelor of Commerce – BCom
- Duration 3 years
- Complete 360 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry Achieve the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or three GCE Advanced Level passes at C grade, or equivalent. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Study Actuarial Science as part of your Commerce degree if you have focused on commerce subjects at school or if your main interests are around business.
You’ll need to have strong maths skills.
Bachelor of Science – BSc
- Duration 3 years
- Complete 360 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ -1 more) - Entry Achieve the International Baccalaureate Diploma, or three GCE Advanced Level passes at C grade, or equivalent. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
If your strengths are in maths and science, then studying Actuarial Science as part of a BSc is a good option for you.
Sample degree programme
To get an overview of how your BSc could look with a major in Actuarial Science, download our sample degree programme for Actuarial Science (PDF, 281 KB).
Graduate qualifications
Graduate Diploma in Commerce – GDipCom
- Duration 2 trimesters
- Complete 120 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry Bachelor's degree or equivalent. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Graduate Diploma in Science – GDipSc
- Duration 2 trimesters
- Complete 120 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 17 Nov 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ 0 more) - Entry Bachelor's degree or equivalent. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Graduate Certificate in Science – GCertSc
- Duration 1 trimester
- Complete 60 points
- Location Wellington campuses
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ -1 more) - Entry Bachelor's degree or equivalent. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Postgraduate qualifications
Master of Actuarial Science – MActSc
- Duration 3 trimesters
- Complete 180 points
- Location Pipitea Campus
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Next starting date 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more) - Entry An appropriate Bachelor’s degree with a major in Actuarial Science, Finance, Statistics or a related field, with the equivalent of at least a B+ average standard in the relevant subject. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Postgraduate Diploma in Actuarial Science – PGDipActSc
- Duration 2 trimesters
- Complete 120 points
- Location Pipitea Campus
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Next starting date 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more) - Entry An appropriate Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Finance, Statistics, or a related field, with the equivalent of at least a B+ average standard in the relevant subject. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Postgraduate Certificate in Actuarial Science – PGCertActSc
- Duration 1 trimester
- Complete 60 points
- Location Pipitea Campus
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Next starting date 23 Feb 2026 (+ -2 more) - Entry An appropriate Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Finance, Statistics, or a related field, with the equivalent of at least a B+ average standard in the relevant subject. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Bachelor of Commerce with Honours – BCom(Hons)
- Duration 2 trimesters
- Complete 120 points
- Location Pipitea Campus
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ -1 more) - Entry A Bachelor of Commerce degree with an average grade of at least B+ in the relevant subject. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.
Master of Commerce – MCom
- Duration 3-4 trimesters
- Complete 180 points
- Location Pipitea Campus
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Next starting dates 7 Jul 2025, 23 Feb 2026 (+ -1 more) - Entry Bachelor of Commerce degree, with an average grade of at least B+ in the relevant subject. You may also be required to demonstrate your proficiency in English.