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Maths A-level Distance Learning for Actuarial Career

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Hi there,

I'm a 21 year old university student studying for a master's degree in Financial Economics, with a BA in Economics and Finance. I'd really like to join the Actuarial Profession, but unfortunately, even though my degrees are mathematical, all of the firms seem to require A-level Maths.

When I was choosing my A-levels at the age of 15, I was not really thinking about what I wanted to do as a career, and I fear that I've ruined my chances of joining the right career, so I'm going to try to enrol on an online Maths A-level.

I don't really need tutoring or lessons, I literally just want to take the exam. A lot of the online courses are really expensive and I don't have a lot of money being a postgraduate student, I only work a few hours a week and can only just afford my rent. Can anyone help me with what my options are at this stage? I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Comments

  • MrsManda
    MrsManda Posts: 4,457 Forumite
    Have you spoken directly to an actuary firm about the requirement for an A-level in Maths?
    It may be that your degree and Masters will satisfy the requirement if it had a high mathematical content.
    For holders of a third class honours or above in a mathematical or actuarial science degree, the maths A-level requirement is dropped.
    http://www.actuaries.org.uk/becoming-actuary/pages/careers-questions-answered
  • kingblah
    kingblah Posts: 37 Forumite
    I've spoken to them and they said my degrees would probably be fine, but the problem is the Actuarial Organisations that I'd be joining a graduate scheme for. Pretty much all of them state that they require A-level maths.
  • MrsManda
    MrsManda Posts: 4,457 Forumite
    It's worth contacting the graduate schemes you think you may want to apply to to ask if an A-level in mathematics is essential given your degrees.
  • kingblah
    kingblah Posts: 37 Forumite
    Thanks for the help MrsManda - I've written to a few and applied to the select few that do not require A-level Maths, but I've been rejected from all of them - I believe they favour those with A-level maths a lot more highly, and I'm just finding it impossible to secure a graduate scheme at the moment, even though i'm doing a masters :( I think doing an A-level in Maths might help me stand out more - I can't think of any other reason I keep getting rejected.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,920 Forumite
    10,000 Posts
    If you contact one of the examining boards, you can sit the modules as an external student. You will need to find a school/ college that will allow you to sit the exam, the examining board will give you a list of possible schools.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • Moneybot
    Moneybot Posts: 11,377 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Sit the exam as a private candidate somewhere. Use past papers as a guide to passing the exam
    Rational judgement, now, at this very moment.

    Virtuous action, now, at this very moment.
    (Wisdom, Courage, Self-control, Justice)

    Willing acceptance - now, at this very moment - of what you can’t change
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