Course: BSc Actuarial Science
What were you doing before you came to study at the Business School (formerly Cass)?
Moving to the UK to study at City, University of London and the Business School was quite a big jump for me, since I used to live in a small town in the north-east of Italy. I had been dreaming of studying abroad for years, but I was not completely sure about what course to choose. Then, during my last year in high school, it eventually became clear to me that I wanted to pursue a numerical and analytical degree course, given my passion for maths and physics.
Why did you decide to apply to study at the Business School?
There are not many universities in the UK offering specific courses in Actuarial Science and the Business School was at the top of my list for various reasons. Firstly, several lecturers are fully qualified Actuaries, which means they can provide a good balance between theory and practice. Secondly, the course offers the opportunity to earn exemptions from eight of the core technical IFOA (Institute and Faculty of Actuaries) exams. Since these examinations are well-known in the field for being challenging, passing them at university can really give you a head start when entering the job market. Lastly, I was impressed by the outstanding ranking in term of student satisfaction.
What is your favourite thing about studying at City and the Business School?
After moving to London, I decided I wanted to make the most of my time at City by throwing myself into different extra-curricular activities. During my first year, I played in the University Volleyball team, which was fun and gave me the chance to meet new people. A few months after the start of the course, I also joined the committee of ESN (Erasmus student network), which fosters the international exchange of students. Being part of a society is a valuable experience, as it gives you the opportunity to put yourself on the line, collaborate with other students and develop useful skills. I have also become a Student Ambassador. As you can see, I like to keep myself busy.
Have you had the opportunity to do any internships or placements?
After a few months spent sending applications and sitting interviews, I eventually landed a summer internship in an Actuarial consultancy firm based in London. I am really looking forward to gaining some real work experience and I think this placement could help me decide what to do after graduation. There is lots of competition here in London and it is not easy to pass all the stages of the recruitment process, especially after being rejected by a few companies. Luckily, the Careers Service at City really made the difference by helping me prepare for the interviews and draft an effective CV.
What do you plan to do after you graduate?
I really enjoy my degree course and I am motivated to pursue a career as an Actuary. Traditionally, there are three big areas of employment for those who study this course, namely General Insurance, Life Insurance and Pensions. However, there are some emerging areas, such as Data and Analytics and Risk Management, where the skillset developed by Actuaries could be put to good use. Right now, I am still in the process of evaluating the various options and I hope my internship will help me make up my mind.
What would be your top tip for our applicants?
There are many Student Ambassadors like me who are happy to share their experiences at City and answer all the questions you might have, especially those regarding the degree course you are interested in. However, if you are not sure about what career to pursue, I would strongly suggest getting in touch with experienced professionals. When I was carrying out some research about Actuarial Science before applying to City, I found most websites very vague, which is why I would advise applicants to contact people who work in the field.
Take a look at our current profiles and find out more about our successful alumni.