Sustainable societies need actuaries
Actuaries will always be in demand to plan for the future. They predict and analyse financial risks and solve business problems in many industries.
Actuaries can contribute to policy work on climate change, future health and retirement provision, and natural disaster planning.
Study at the only university in New Zealand to offer Actuarial Science qualifications and courses.
Who can study for this qualification
To get into the PGCertActSc, you’ll generally need a Bachelor’s degree with a B+ average in Actuarial Science, Finance, Statistics, or a related subject.
What you’ll learn
You’ll hone your abilities to:
- analyse and interpret financial and stochastic information
- solve complex problems in risk management
- make accurate and methodical decisions under uncertainty
- communicate complicated scenarios to relevant stakeholders.
How you’ll study
You’ll complete 60 points, usually through three 20-point courses across Trimesters 1 and 2.
Each course takes around 12 hours of study a week, so it’s well suited to studying alongside work.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for domestic students
- Requirements for students who completed university in:
If you live in New Zealand and are a citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand or Australia, you're considered a domestic student.
Some citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau may automatically hold New Zealand citizenship.
Diplomatic residents living in New Zealand are also regarded as domestic students.
To be accepted into this qualification, you need:
1. (a) Before enrolment, a candidate for the PGCertActSc shall have:
(i) completed an appropriate Bachelor’s degree in Actuarial Science, Finance, Statistics, or a related field, with the equivalent of at least a B+ average standard in the relevant subject; and
(ii) been accepted by the programme director as capable of proceeding with the proposed course of study.
(b) Requirement (a)(i) may be waived by the Associate Dean (Students) of the Wellington School of Business and Government for a candidate who has extensive practical, professional, or scholarly experience of an appropriate kind.
Qualification requirements
Excerpt from the regulations for the PGCertActSc
2. (a) Except as provided in (c), or section 4, the course of study for the PGCertActSc shall consist of Actuarial Control Cycle I (ACTS 511), Actuarial Control Cycle II (ACTS 512), Data Science for Actuaries (ACTS 513).
(b) The programme director may exempt from any course listed in (a) a candidate who has mastered the material covered in that course through previous study and/or practical experience. Credit may be awarded where the previous study involved postgraduate courses not credited to a complete qualification; otherwise, the candidate shall replace exempted courses with approved postgraduate electives of an equivalent points value.
3. (a) A candidate for the PGCertActSc shall normally be enrolled for at least one trimester and shall complete the qualification within two years of first enrolling in the programme.
(b) A candidate who has failed two or more courses, or any course twice, may continue in the programme only with the permission of the associate dean.
4. A candidate who has been awarded the PGCertActSc shall abandon that qualification upon being awarded the PGDipActSc.
Future careers
Qualified actuaries can find work in:
- insurance companies
- superannuation and pension funds
- consulting firms
- government agencies and regulators
- banks and financial institutions.
More career information
Find out more about careers in actuarial science on our 'What can I do with my degree' page for this subject.
The government careers website, Tahatū, offers more information about jobs, salaries, and current opportunities.
Scholarships
You may be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies.
One scholarship specifically for Actuarial Science students is:
We have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas. If nothing fits right now, something may suit you later.
We encourage you to apply. It’s a straightforward process, and it could make a real difference.
Scholarships for Actuarial Science
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In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.
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The fund, which was established at the time of the renovation of the C3 lecture theatre, is to assist a second-year student from any faculty in their studies at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
Scholarships for international students
We're currently offering a NZ$10,000 VUW Postgraduate International Scholarship to all eligible international students enrolling in a Master’s degree or Postgraduate Diploma programme.
Your scholarship will be processed automatically when your programme application is accepted, and the amount will be deducted from your tuition fees.
Other scholarships
We also have postgraduate and doctoral scholarships available, as well as specialised scholarships for different groups and subject areas.
We encourage you to apply—many scholarships don’t receive enough applications.
Scholarships for Actuarial Science
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In honour of Jonathan Nicholls (ACC's Head of Actuarial Services who passed away in early 2015), ACC wishes to promote the actuarial profession in much the same way that Jonathan did. ACC is dedicated to supporting Actuarial Science students and others looking to pursue a career in the actuarial profession.
Join our postgraduate community
The Postgraduate Students’ Association provides a voice for you on campus and information on studying at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.
Postgraduate Students’ Association
MAI ki Pōneke
MAI ki Pōneke are part of an international network of Māori and Indigenous postgraduate students. They provide advice, support, and information to Indigenous postgraduate students of all levels, as well as those thinking about enrolling.
Why Wellington
Wellington is the administrative and financial centre of New Zealand. Take advantage of the University's connections with government agencies such as the Treasury and the Reserve Bank, and many other private sector institutions and professional bodies.
Get help to manage your finances
We can help you:
- budget your money
- manage your student loan or allowance
- work out your accommodation payment schedule.
If you’re facing financial difficulties, we can help you apply for the Hardship Fund.
You may be eligible for government or community support, too.
Apply for a New Zealand study visa
You’ll need to apply for a study visa if you plan to study with us as an international student.
You should apply for your visa after you’ve received your Offer of Place, and before you come to New Zealand.