Economics and Actuarial Science (BSc) at University of Southampton

About

This is the only degree in the UK to combine economics and actuarial science. Actuarial science uses mathematical and statistical methods to assess risk and uncertainty. Actuaries are essential in industries such as insurance and finance. You'll learn to use the Bloomberg trading terminals in your first year, and study with students on the related Mathematics and Actuarial Science degree.

Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.

You'll study core modules in microeconomics, macroeconomics and quantitative methods. Optional modules will let you shape your studies around your interests or career plans. These include international trade, survival models or public economics. You can also choose modules from outside the Economics and Mathematics departments.

You'll study in lectures and small classes. Our facilities include the behavioural economics laboratory and the Financial Laboratory (FinLab). This is a realistic trading room environment using the most detailed financial data available.

As part of this course you can also:

spend a semester abroad in your third year
spend a year in employment
gain vital work experience on our Student Innovation Projects

This BSc Economics and Actuarial Science degree is accredited by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA). You'll be eligible for 6 exemptions from the core principles:

Actuarial Statistics (CS1 and CS2)
Actuarial Mathematics (CM1 and CM2)
Business Finance and Economics (CB1 and CB2)

This is the maximum number of IFoA actuarial exemptions available on any undergraduate programme.

Study Business Analytics in Malaysia

You can also study this course at University of Southampton Malaysia.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

AAA including Mathematics

A-levels additional information

Excluded subjects are General Studies, Use of Maths and Critical Thinking. If you are taking four A levels, you will receive the standard offer as well as an alternative offer of AABB including A in Maths.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: AAB including grade A in Mathematics plus grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 36 points overall with 18 at Higher Level, including 6 points from Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation)

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels including Mathematics

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in A level Mathematics

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

If you are studying a BTEC Extended or National Extended Diploma (DDD) you will also need an additional A Level in Mathematics (grade A). However, we can accept an Engineering BTEC Extended or National Extended Diploma (DDD) without the additional A Level requirement.

QCF BTEC

D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels including Mathematics

DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A in A level Mathematics

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, all of which must be at Distinction

Access to HE additional information

Mathematics must be studied to level 3, A-level standard to be considered.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 including Mathematics at H2

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A1 including Mathematics

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

D3 D3 D3 in three Principal subjects including Mathematics

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer

Welsh Baccalaureate

AAA from 3 A levels including Mathematics or AA from two A levels including Mathematics and A from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

There are no T levels accepted for this programme.

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 6.5
reading: 6.0
writing: 6.0
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career

Careers

Employability is an essential part of our economics courses, ensuring you're equipped for a successful postgraduate career or further study. You can take an optional employability module, designed to boost your professional skills.

You can also take modules to enhance your employability in particular areas. For example, you could study social enterprise and finance modules that use Bloomberg trading terminals in our Financial Laboratory (FinLab) - the same technology used by city traders.

You'll graduate ready for a career in actuarial science and the economy, with transferable skills that will qualify you to work in a range of fields and industries.

Our graduates have gone on to work as:

economists
actuaries
statisticians
investment analysts
financial advisers
accountants
management consultants
business analysts
marketing professionals

We also offer Student Innovation Projects during term time.

Our careers and employability service will support you throughout your time as a student, and for up to 3 years after graduation. It can help you to find work placements and graduate jobs, as well as offering specialist careers advice.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Work in industry

You can take a year in employment in the third year of your degree.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

GBP 25,500

Application Fee

GBP

Economics and Actuarial Science (BSc)

University of Southampton

University of Southampton

Key Facts

Start & Deadlines