No, unfortunately, it isn't. However, this just means that actuaries are even more vital for the progress of the industry.

But let's not forget the knowledge they gain in their Bachelor degree, where it builds the road for them to do the MSc. After all, the university won't admit students into their MSc course if the students are not competent enough.
Seeing that MSc and BSc can all lead to exemptions, I think it really doesn't matter if one starts out with other first degree.

I have a friend says that "Nowaday, the economic recession has made insurance companies hardly survive, in order to cut their cost employer train those "experience" workers to do actuarial tasks to substitute qualified actuary" So, is it possible such phenomena happen as I thought Actuary is not only well paid and the demand always there.

it does have a bright future, i guess you must be deciding which course to study?

my girl friend work 3-5 yrs can get 5K per month---civil engineer. Degree holder of course.

just make sure u plan your courses and career properly. Experience is what counts, not that piece of cert. There are too many civil engineer nowadays, so to make your mark in the field.

This post has been edited by rpg: Jun 7 2009, 05:53 PM

If I were to take A level before going for actuarial courses, should I enroll in art stream or science stream, or is it the subjects I take that matters?

What if I'm not so sure whether or not to take up actuarial science, is it a wice decision to go into science stream instead of arts stream (with further maths of course)?

I read that an actuarist's qualification comes from the professional exams, so, I'm wondering, if a person graduate from University ABC with a degree in XYZ, and he manage to score in the professional papers, does he qualify to be recognised and work as an actuarist like others?

Is an actuarial student married to the book for the next 10 years of his life?

This post has been edited by xzjasonzx: Jun 9 2009, 05:28 PM

It doesn't really matter what subjects you take for your A-Levels as long as you take Math and Further Math. Maybe if you take Econs you will cover your Micro and Macro Econs for your first year of your Actuarial degree course. And well if you're aiming for the top unis A in science > A in arts.

You recognition as a qualified actuary depends solely on your association with the actuarial body you took the test wth and who certifies you.

You won't be tied to the book unless you really want to complete all the actuarial papers. With the knowledge you learned from your degree course, you can easily go to any financial, investment, marketing or business line.

The college of my choice does not have further maths in the arts stream, so should I take up science stream instead or arts stream without the crucial further maths?

I want to ask a few question....

1)Many people say actuarial are focused on insurance industry.if we work on finance it say that our paid are lower because not fully utilize our capability (like there is no different between the finance grad ).
is it true??

2)Is the actuarial level knowledge in finance or account are same with finance and account grad??

3)how many paper we need to finish in professional exam??

4)I like involve in investment industry.is it suitable for me to take actuary science??

5)Is it becoming an actuary make you special and more important than accountant and finance worker??

1) Actuaries aren't focused on the insurance industry. They specialization is basically risk management and in order to do that they have to have a wide range of knowledge. As long as you work as an 'actuary' you pay in roughly the same regardless of what industry you work in. Of course some companies demand more skills from you and some less and there may be a little difference, but just a little in general.

2)Actuarial grads don't learn accounts as far as i know, at least they don't have to. Accounts is not needed for them to do their job. Actuarial grads don't learn some stuff finance grads learn. Finance is basically managing the company's finances and an actuary is risk management and they help out in estimating prices, returns of investments, premiums, marketing etc.

3)More papers you pass higher your qualification

4)You are not any more important than the window cleaner.

i will graduate from uitm taking diploma in investment analysis.next i want to take actuary science.so which path is better:

a)pursuit in degree in finance and then take actuary professional exam or;

b)taking degree in actuary science for 3or 4 years and next take professional exam .

Take Science stream! Economics is relatively easy, I don't think you'll be missing out if you don't take it at A Level.

Agreed. I choose to enter science stream back at f4 althou i've love to do bout business/finance field due to the fact that those art knowledges are relatively easier to be obtained, even thru daily life but science knowledges aren't

IMO, only choose actuarial science if you've extremely good analysing ability combined with decent maths skill. You must love figures if you wanted to do it. Otherwise, your life will be miserable.

And you must also love this phrase from SoA: Risk is Opportunity =)

I like it! It's become my motivation to pursue Actuary now.

wow..i never knew this course will be that sophisticate..i'm a 2009 SPM student and 4 months to go to sit for the exam.
i'm very interested in actuary because:
-there are not many fully qualifed actuary in M'sia
-the course which has one of the highest dropout
-i can have FIA in back of my name which makes me special
-i will be a well know profession(dislike earning lucratively without knowledge)
-all my friends went for doctor and yes they are top students in my school including me;first and second place is my friend while i'm in the thrid place.)
-i don't believe that being a doctor is the only lucrative job there is.(non-financial worries)

Oh yes..what if i take pure Actuarial Science?
is it better for taking Actua and Econs?which i still can't understand =.=
when you said taking both actuary and econs,did you mean that its like a double degree program?
pls reply T_T

This post has been edited by epplegaara: Jul 3 2009, 08:54 AM

How many professional papers are there for the UK and US body respectively?

It's good to have interest, but I didn't read that you have immense interest in Maths.
Ultimately, choose a career that you like, not having the best opportunities, best income out there.
If you like Maths, then consider a degree with strong component of Maths (not necessary Acutarial Science).
If you like dancing, you can go all the way learn dancing and do not own any degree.
It's your life after all. Enjoy it with your preferred career.


UK..
9 CTs
3 CAs
5 STs, complete 2.
5 SAs, complete 1.

When you reach CA, you are Associate.
When you complete all, you are Fellow.

so basically there are a total of 9+3+2+1 = 15 papers to complete out of the 22?

Indeed.
Nonetheless, some papers can only be passed by attending seminars, like CT9 and CA2.
Some papers can be exempted through academic qualification, usually the CT1 to CT8.
Very few universities offer exemptions up till CAs.

i do have interest in maths...rank 3 in school since form 4 started..not being arrogant but i love solving complex questions..but.. my first ambition was to be an engineer...however when i found out that engineer do not earn much even though its considered profession work and hard to study..i decided not to persuit that ambition..i score A1 in all subject..and frankly i love physic and chemistry more that maths...

my friends are going to be elite someday and i want to join them,because i know i deserve it because i'm a determine person and i'm studying 4 hours per day (after shcool)

i have read an article from real Actuary,they said being actuary does mean we need to be top rank Maths student,but need to have wide knowledge and determination because i will be solving ONE question for hours or so...

This post has been edited by epplegaara: Jul 4 2009, 04:12 PM

So you're in mainly due to the income?
Might as well go into Oil & Gas. Few yrs experience, easily 5 figures.
Most O&G companies minimum 3 months bonus.
You can utilize your love for chemistry there.