Actuarial education in Canada
Canada has very strong university-level actuarial programs. Canadian universities have a global reputation for excellence in the quality and rigour of their programs, and they are well-positioned to introduce leading-edge techniques and progressive research to advance the profession. The CIA believes that Canadian universities are the right place to teach and assess the foundational actuarial topics to equip candidates with the skills they need to be successful in their future ACIA and FCIA exams.
A valuable extra-curricular activity for students in actuarial science is to get involved with the Actuarial Students National Association (ASNA). As a national leader and organizer of student associations in actuarial science, joining an ASNA committee or attending the annual convention would be greatly beneficial to an actuarial science student.
The role of accredited universities in the new qualification pathways
The University Accreditation Program (UAP) is designed to enhance education and reduce duplication of effort for candidates. Accredited universities offer, as part of their degree programs, a set of mandatory courses that meet syllabus requirements established by the CIA. Universities use education best practices to deliver the fundamentals of actuarial science and students are tested through university exams. The CIA requires no minimum course grades because we trust accredited universities to ensure that students possess a strong technical foundation that we will verify through the CIA-administered ACIA modules and ACIA Capstone exam.
Accredited universities
After an extensive assessment process, the following universities from across Canada have been accredited to take part in the CIA’s University Accreditation Program. Full details of each university’s actuarial science program are available below.
Website: https://www.concordia.ca/artsci/math-stats.html
Name of actuarial science programs
- BA or BSc Honours in Actuarial Mathematics
- BA or BSc Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics
- BA or BSc Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics/Finance
Description
The Specialization program in Actuarial Mathematics is comprised of 20 required courses (60 credits) and 10 elective courses (30 credits). Provided that students follow all courses from the following mandatory list, students will be eligible to access the ACIA Capstone exam for the Pathway 1 access to CIA associateship (ACIA). Moreover, the required courses cover most of the preparatory material for Exams P, FM, FAM, ALTAM, ASTAM, on top of allowing obtaining credits for the VEE in Applied Statistics. Moreover, some of the optional courses allow preparing for Exams SRM and PA, and to obtain VEEs in Economics, and in Corporate Finance. This is a limited-entry program with a maximum of roughly 50 students selected among the more than 200 applications that we receive every year. Our minimum application grade point average (GPA) is 3.3 on 4.3 and then a minimum GPA of 2.0 on 4.3 is required to remain in good standing in the program.
The Honours program requires exactly the same course content as the Specialization, but in addition the student needs to complete a six-credit Honours actuarial research project under the supervision of a faculty member of our department. A higher minimum GPA of 3.0 on 4.3 is required to remain in good standing in this program, which is designed for students who intend to continue their training in graduate school.
The Specialization program in Actuarial Mathematics/Finance is offered jointly with our John Molson School of Business (JMSB). It requires almost the same actuarial courses as the Specialization in Actuarial Mathematics, plus the equivalent of a Minor in Finance, taken at the JMSB. These include all our SOA-approved courses for the VEE in Applied Statistics, Economics and Corporate Finance. As a result, all 90 credits are required and there are no electives. We admit, at most, 15 students a year in this program, usually our top applicants (minimum application GPA of 3.7 on 4.3), who sit in the same courses as the other actuarial science students.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course number | Course title |
| STAT 249 | Probability 1 |
| STAT 250 | Probability 2 |
| ACTU 256 | Mathematics of Finance |
| ACCO 230 | Introduction to Financial Accounting |
| ECON 201 | Introduction to Microeconomics |
| ECON 203 | Introduction to Macroeconomics |
| MACF 301 | Introduction to Quantitative Finance |
| ACTU 257 | Actuarial Mathematics I |
| ACTU 357 | Actuarial Mathematics II |
| ACTU 457 | Risk Theory |
| ACTU 458 | Credibility Theory |
| ACTU 459 | Short term insurance 2 |
| STAT 250 | Probability 2 |
| STAT 380/ACTU 491 | Statistical Learning |
| STAT 460 | Time Series and Forecasting |
Website: https://www.stat.sfu.ca/
Name of actuarial science programs
- BSc Major in Actuarial Science
- BSc Honours in Actuarial Science
- MSc in Actuarial Science
Description
The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science at Simon Fraser University offers undergraduate major and honours degrees in actuarial science. A suite of actuarial, mathematics, statistics, business and economics courses in these programs ensure that graduates obtain both the theoretical foundations and the practical knowledge required to begin successful actuarial careers in a variety of settings. The department also offers a two-year research-oriented Master’s program in actuarial science that is not part of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries accreditation program.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| ACMA 101 | Introduction to Insurance |
| ACMA 201 | Interest Theory and Applications |
| ACMA 301 | Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics I |
| ACMA 340 | Financial Economics for Actuaries |
| ACMA 355 | Loss Models I |
| ACMA 360W* | Actuarial Communication |
| ACMA 401 | Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics II |
| ACMA 455 | Loss Models II |
| BUS 251 | Financial Accounting |
| ECON 103 | Principles of Microeconomics |
| ECON 105 | Principles of Macroeconomics |
| STAT 270 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics |
| STAT 330 | Introduction to Mathematical Statistics |
| STAT 350 | Linear Models in Applied Statistics |
| STAT 452 | Statistical Learning and Prediction |
*Or any other W course
Website: https://www.dms.umontreal.ca
Name of actuarial science programs
- Baccalauréat spécialisé en mathématiques, orientation actuariat
- Baccalauréat spécialisé en mathématiques, orientation actuariat COOP
Description
The actuarial concentration of the BSc in Mathematics seeks to provide future actuaries with all the tools they will need (labour market and preparedness for the SOA, CAS and CIA professional exams), while at the same time offering an excellent education in mathematics, statistics and finance. In addition to actuarial, finance, math and statistics courses, students will round out their curriculum with courses in information technologies, economics, and demography. The Université de Montréal is the only Francophone university offering a co-op program (COOP). COOP students complete three employment internships during their undergraduate studies. Non-COOP students can also complete two credited internships during their studies. The Université de Montréal’s program is recognized by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries as part of their accreditation program.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Cours | Titre du course |
| MAT 1720 | Probabilités |
| ACT 1240 | Mathématiques financières |
| ACT 2242, et
ECN1000 ou ECN 1050 |
Finance corporative
Principes d’économie ou Introduction à la macroéconomie |
| ACT 2242 et
ACT 2243 |
Finance Corporative
Investissements |
| ACT 2241 | Produits dérivés et gestion de risque |
| ACT 2250 et
|
Mathématiques de l’assurance-vie 1 |
| ACT 3201 | Régimes de retraite |
| ACT 2284 et | Mathématique de l’assurance IARD |
| ACT 3251 | Théorie du risque |
| ACT 3261
(ou STT2700 et STT3790 si le cours ACT3261 ne peut pas être offert) |
Modélisation predictive |
Website: https://actuariat.uqam.ca/
Name of actuarial science programs
- Baccalauréat en actuariat
- Maîtrise en mathématiques actuarielles et financières
Description
The department of mathematics offers a three-year bachelor’s program in actuarial studies. The program examines the various aspects of actuarial science: life and non-life insurance, group insurance, pension plans, finance and investment. Numerous internship opportunities are available to students throughout the program.
The department also offers a master’s program in actuarial and financial mathematics, enabling students to further their knowledge and understanding of insurance, finance, modelling and quantitative risk management. Subjects such as pricing and modelling of reserves, natural disasters, climate change, segregated funds and population aging are explored.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Sigle du cours | Nom du cours |
| MAT1700 | Probabilités I |
| ACT1200 | Mathématiques Financières I |
| ECO 1013 | Microéconomie I |
| ECO1023 | Macroéconomie I |
| SCO1250 | Introduction aux sciences comptables |
| ACT4310 | Mathématiques de la finance actuarielle I |
| FIN3500 | Gestion financière |
| ACT4310 | Mathématiques de la finance actuarielle I |
| ACT5310 | Mathématiques de la finance actuarielle II |
| ACT3300 | Mathématiques de l’assurance de personne I |
| ACT4300 | Mathématiques de l’assurance de personne II |
| ACT6051 | Modèles actuariels en assurance de personnes |
| ACT2060 | Applications probabilistes des risques actuariels |
| ACT3400 | Distribution de sinistres |
| ACT4400 | Modèles de survie |
| ACT5400 | Crédibilité |
| ACT3035 | Laboratoire d’actuariat |
| ACT6100 | Analyse de données en actuariat |
| STT5100 | Modèles linéaires appliqués |
Website: http://www.act.ulaval.ca
Name of actuarial science programs
- Baccalauréat en actuariat
- Maîtrise en actuariat
- Doctorat en actuariat
Description
The École d’actuariat of the Université Laval offers actuarial programs at the undergraduate, doctoral and post-doctoral levels. These cover the various areas of expertise required to practise the profession and include paid, for-credit co-op opportunities. In addition, these programs offer students excellent preparation for most of the professional exams. The École d’actuariat qualifies for the Canadian Institute of Actuaries’ University Accreditation Program and is recognized as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the Society of Actuaries. The École d’actuariat’s graduates can be found the world over, contributing to the school’s stellar international reputation.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Title course |
| ACT-1002 | Analyse probabiliste des risques actuariels |
| ACT-1001 | Mathématiques financières |
| CTB-1000 et
ECN-1000 ou ECN-1010 |
Comptabilité générale
Principes de microéconomie Principes de macroéconomie |
| ACT-1006 | Gestion du risque financier 1 |
| ACT-2011 | Gestion du risque financier 2 |
| ACT-2004
ACT-2007 |
Mathématiques actuarielles vie 1
Mathématiques actuarielles vie 2 |
| ACT-1000
ACT-2005 ACT-2008 |
Introduction à l’actuariat 1
Mathématiques actuarielles IARD 1 Mathématiques actuarielles IARD 2 |
| ACT-2000
ACT-2003 ACT-2005 ACT-3114 |
Analyse statistique des risques actuariels
Modèles linéaires Mathématiques actuarielles IARD 1 Apprentissage statistique en actuariat |
Website: http://math.ucalgary.ca/undergraduate/programs/actuarial_science
Name of actuarial science programs
- BSc Major in Actuarial Science
- BSc Honors in Actuarial Science
- BComm/BSc (Actuarial Science) double degree
Description
The Actuarial Science Program prepares a student for a career as an actuarial professional. Actuarial practitioners, also known as actuaries, have been described as financial architects and social mathematicians.
Broadly speaking, actuaries forecast the cost of future risks and improve financial decision making by developing models to evaluate the current financial implications of uncertain future events. Actuarial students learn about advanced mathematical and statistical techniques useful for this purpose, but also study topics like actuarial mathematics, demography, economics, marketing, mathematics of investment and finance, pension mathematics, risk management and insurance, and accounting.
By its very nature, the Actuarial Science Program is interdisciplinary and the skill sets developed by an actuarial student are applicable in many business settings and are in high demand.
Most graduates find employment in one of the fields of insurance, employee benefits, pension and management consulting, or banking and finance, and have the option of switching fields during their career.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| STAT 321 | Introduction to Probability |
| ACSC 325 | Theory of interest/Mathematics of finance |
| ECON 201 | Microeconomics |
| ECON 203 | Macroeconomics |
| ACSC 425 | Intermediate topics Finance & Investments |
| ACSC 515 | Models for Financial Economics |
| ACSC 327 | Life contingencies 1 |
| ACSC 427 | Life contingencies 2 |
| ACSC 527 | Life contingencies 3 |
| ACSC 437 | Actuarial Models |
| ACSC 531 | Loss distributions and their estimation |
| ACSC 537 | Credibility Theory |
| ACSC 511 | Generalized Linear Models for Actuaries |
| STAT 429 | Linear Models and Their Applications |
| ACSC 513 | Fundamentals of Actuarial Practice |
| STAT 517 | Practice of Statistics |
Website: http://www.umanitoba.ca/management
Name of actuarial science programs
- BComm (Hons) Actuarial Mathematics
- BSc (Hons) Actuarial Mathematics
- BSc (Hons) Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics Joint Program
Description
The Actuarial Mathematics program at the University of Manitoba is one of the oldest in North America, having offered actuarial courses since 1912. Over 700 graduates have become Associates or Fellows of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS). Currently, three undergraduate programs leading to BComm (Hons.) or BSc (Hons.), and one master’s program (MSc in Management), are offered and administrated under the Warren Centre for Actuarial Studies and Research. The Warren Centre has been recognized as a Center of Actuarial Excellence by the SOA since 2009. It was ranked as the best actuarial program in Canada in the 2010 Knight Schools survey and was accredited by the CIA under its University Accreditation Program in 2011.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| STAT 2400 | Introduction to Probability 1 |
| STAT 2800 | Introduction to Probability 2 |
| ACT 2120 | Interest Theory |
| ECON 1010 | Intro to Microeconomic Principles |
| ECON 1020 | Intro to Macroeconomic Principles |
| ACC 100 | Intro accounting |
| FIN 2200 | Corporate finance |
| ACT 2020 | Economic & Financial Applications |
| ACT 3340 | Financial Derivatives for Actuarial Practice |
| ACT 2020 | Economic & Financial Applications |
| ACT 3340 | Financial Derivatives for Actuarial Practice |
| ACT 3130 | Actuarial Models 1 |
| ACT 3230 | Actuarial Models 2 |
| ACT 3230 | Actuarial Models 2 |
| ACT 4020 | Short Term Actuarial Mathematics 1 |
| ACT 4030 | Short Term Actuarial Mathematics 2 |
| ACT4010 | Regression Modeling in Actuarial Science |
| IDM 4050 | Readings in Management |
Website: http://www.uregina.ca/science/mathstat/
Name of actuarial science program
- Bachelor of Science with a major in Actuarial Science
Description
The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is one of six departments in the Faculty of Science at the University of Regina. It offers a variety of undergraduate programs, but there are three main areas of focus: mathematics, statistics and actuarial science. These three disciplines form the basis of interdisciplinary programs such as Biology and Statistics, Economics and Statistics, and Mathematics and Mathematics Education.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| STAT 251 | Introduction to Probability |
| STAT 351 | Intermediate Probability |
| ACSC/STAT 116 | Mathematics of Finance I |
| ACSC/STAT 216 | Mathematics of Finance II |
| ECON 201 | Introductory Microeconomics |
| BUS 285 | Introduction to Financial Accounting |
| ECON 202 | Introductory Macroeconomics |
| BUS 395 | Finance: Theory and Application |
| ACSC316 | Mathematics of Finance III |
| ACSC/STAT 217 | Introduction to Actuarial Mathematics |
| ACSC/STAT 317 | Actuarial Models I |
| ACSC419 | Estimation and Selection of Actuarial Models |
| ACSC318 | Actuarial Models II |
| ACSC417 | Introduction to Casualty Insurance and Credibility |
| ACSC/STAT 300 | Statistical Learning and Predictive Modeling |
| STAT 252 | Introduction to Statistical Inference |
| ACSC/STAT 418 | Time Series Analysis and Forecasting |
| ACSC 456 | Applied Stochastic Processes |
Website: http://www.utstat.toronto.edu/
Name of actuarial science program
- Specialist and Major program in Actuarial Science
Description
Students who enroll in the four-year Specialist Program in Actuarial Science are prepared to write Exam P (CAS Exam 1). By the end of their second year, students will have taken courses to earn credit for Exam FM (CAS Exam 2). At the end of their fourth year, students will have taken courses to earn credit for Exams MLC (CAS Exam 3L), MFE (CAS Exam 3F), and C (CAS Exam 4). In addition, there are courses in the program related to material in some specialty Fellowship exams.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| STA257 | Probability and Statistics I |
| ACT240 | Mathematics of investment & credit |
| ACT245 | Financial principles for actuarial science I |
| ECO101 | Microeconomics |
| ECO102 | Macroeconomics |
| MGT201 or RSM219 | Fundamentals of financial accounting or Introduction to financial accounting |
| ACT349 | Corporate finance for actuarial science |
| ACT245 | Financial principles for actuarial science I |
| ACT370 | Financial principles for actuarial science II |
| ACT247 | Introductory Life Contingencies |
| ACT348 | Advanced life contingencies |
| ACT451 | Loss model |
| ACT452 | Loss model II |
| ACT466 | Credibility and Simulation |
| STA261 | Probability and Statistics II |
| STA302 | Methods of data analysis I |
| STA314 | Statistical methods for machine learning I |
University of Toronto Actuarial Science Club
Danny Su, President
Email: actsci.club@utoronto.ca
Website: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/programs/actuarial-science
Name of actuarial science programs
- BMath, Actuarial Science
- BMath, Actuarial Science/Finance Specialization
- BMath, Actuarial Science/Predictive Analytics Specialization
Description
The Bachelor of Mathematics (BMath) is offered by the Faculty of Mathematics as a four-year regular honours program or a five-year co-op honours program. Co-op students complete six four-month co-op work terms as part of their academic program. There are a wide variety of co-op employment opportunities, and students can gain up to two years of diverse work experience before graduating.
The BMath program with honours in actuarial science covers a wide range of courses, including full coverage of the material of the SOA/CAS associateship requirements and some coverage of the SOA/CAS fellowship requirements. With a large actuarial faculty, the range of courses offered is broad and extends well beyond the SOA/CAS syllabi. Students may choose to gain a foundational knowledge in property and casualty insurance, pensions, corporate finance, risk theory and life insurance. Students who are particularly interested in financial or predictive analytics topics may elect to add either option to their actuarial science honours plan.
Students can concurrently earn a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) through the Business Administration and Mathematics Double Degree program offered in partnership with Wilfrid Laurier University. The Department also offers honour plans in data science, mathematical finance and statistics.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| STAT 230 | Probability |
| STAT 330 | Mathematical Statistics |
| ACTSC 231 | Introductory Financial Mathematics |
| ACTSC 372 | Corporate Finance |
| AFM 101 | Introduction to Financial Accounting |
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Microeconomics |
| ECON 102 | Introduction to Macroeconomics |
| ACTSC 372 | Corporate Finance |
| ACTSC 446 | Mathematics of Financial Markets |
| ACTSC 232 | Life Contingencies 1 |
| ACTSC 331 | Life Contingencies 2 |
| ACTSC 363 | Casualty and Health Insurance Mathematics 1 |
| ACTSC 431 | Casualty and Health Insurance Mathematics 2 |
| STAT 231 | Statistics |
| ENGL 378 | Professional Communications in Statistics and Actuarial Science |
| STAT 331 | Applied Linear Models |
| STAT 341 | Computational Statistics and Data Analysis |
| AND two of | |
| STAT 431 | Generalized Linear Models and their Applications |
| STAT 441 | Statistical Learning – Classification |
| STAT 443 | Forecasting |
Waterloo Actuarial Club
Kevin Till, President
Tel: 519-577-5381
Email: KTill@equitable.ca
Name of actuarial science program
- Master of Actuarial Science (MActSc)
Description
The Master of Actuarial Science (MActSc) is a professional program designed for highly qualified students with strong quantitative and communication skills who have not previously studied actuarial science. The objective of the MActSc is to develop both technical and business skills in the context of the modern risk management environment.
The program comprises three semesters. Students take 15 courses, covering material from introductory interest theory to advanced graduate-level material in risk management and financial mathematics. The objective of the program is to prepare students for top-level actuarial careers, emphasizing both cutting edge technical material and the insurance business environment.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| ACTSC613 | Statistics for Actuarial Science |
| ACTSC611 | Financial Mathematics I |
| ACTSC614 | Corporate Finance and Accounting |
| ACTSC615 | Economics |
| ACTSC621 | Financial Mathematics II |
| ACTSC631 | Financial Mathematics III |
| ACTSC612 | Life Insurance Mathematics I |
| ACTSC622 | Life Insurance Mathematics II |
| ACTSC613 | Statistics for Actuarial Science |
| ACTSC625 | Casualty and Health Insurance |
| ACTSC613 | Statistics for Actuarial Science |
| ACTSC623 | Applied Statistics |
| ACTSC632 | Data Science with Actuarial Applications |
Website: https://www.uwo.ca/stats/
Name of actuarial science programs
- Honors Specialization in Actuarial Science
- Major in Actuarial Science
Description
Founded in 1980, the mission of the Department of Statistical and Actuarial Sciences includes the following:
- To advance the statistical and actuarial sciences through high quality research;
- To contribute to research conducted University-wide by collaborating with other researchers in developing methods of modelling and analysis appropriate to the applications;
- To offer leading undergraduate and graduate programs in statistical and actuarial science;
- To offer high-quality introductory statistical and actuarial science courses appropriate for students in a wide range of disciplines; and
- To explore innovative methods for teaching statistical and actuarial science.
The University of Western Ontario is recognized as a Society of Actuaries Centre of Actuarial Excellence.
Mandatory courses for recognized degree
For a degree to be recognized by the CIA, a student must successfully complete the following mandatory courses:
| Course | Course title |
| Stats 2857 | Probability and Statistics I |
| Stats 3657 | Intermediate Probability |
| Act Sci 2553 | Mathematics of Finance |
| Fin Mod 2557 | Financial Markets and Investments |
| Eco 1021 | Principles of Microeconomics |
| Eco 1022 | Principles of Macroeconomics |
| Fin Mod 2555 | Corporate Finance |
| Fin Mod 2557 | Financial Markets and Investments |
| Fin Mod 3520 | Financial Modelling I |
| Act Sci 2427 | Long Term Actuarial Math I |
| Act Sci 3429 | Long Term Actuarial Math II |
| Act Sci 3431 | Long Term Actuarial Math III |
| Act Sci 3424 | Short Term Actuarial Math I |
| Act Sci 4824 | Short Term Actuarial Math II |
| Stats 2858 | Probability and Statistics II |
| Data Sci 3000 | Introduction to Machine Learning |
| Stat 3859 | Regression |
| Stats 4861 | Time Series |
Canadian universities have a global reputation for excellence in the quality and rigour of their programs, and they are well-positioned to introduce leading-edge techniques and progressive research to advance the profession. Review non-accredited Canadian universities offering actuarial studies here.
Want to become an accredited university?
Accredited universities and courses offered are rigorously and continuously evaluated by the CIA. If your institution is interested in pursuing CIA accreditation, check out the policy governing the program and contact us to learn more or apply.
Check our policy [[PROVISIONAL LINK]]The Accreditation Actuary’s role in governance
Each accredited university must appoint an Accreditation Actuary to be the point of contact with the CIA. They are responsible for maintaining good communications with the CIA, coordinating the terms of the accreditation agreement between the university and the CIA, and collaborating on curriculum development.
The Accreditation Actuary (ACA) is a full-time faculty member employed by an accredited university who is a member of the CIA.