Why this pre-Master’s programme
If your prior education does not (completely) fit the entry requirements, this pre-Master’s is your stepping stone to getting admitted to our MSc Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance.
Obtaining your MSc degree is a great step for your career. Expert teachers will challenge you to think differently and form your own views and opinions to tackle complex issues. You will also start building your network of experts and leaders in your specialisation (track). Future employers will reward these achievements with a relatively high starting salary and promotion opportunities.
Study programme
You have a full academic year to successfully complete the 48 ECTS programme. Throughout this year, you can expect excellent teaching and support from our professors. Each highly respected in their field of expertise. We selected a fixed set of 8 courses for you. These form an excellent preparation for one of the 2 specialisation tracks you will later on choose within the MSc Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance.
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Life Insurance Mathematics
Learn about life contingent risks and related financial products. Acquire the skills to calculate actuarial present values, premium structures and policy values for different types of life annuity and life insurance products.
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Mathematics and Empirical Finance
Learn about modern investment and portfolio theory. Focus on the development of financial-economic theories as well as the required mathematical and statistical techniques needed to analyse and implement them.
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Probability Theory and Statistics 3
Gain fundamental insights into classical mathematical statistics and learn how to work with basic statistical models.
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Statistical Learning
Learn about the issues and challenges of statistical learning, such as: model selection, model complexity and the strengths and weaknesses of many popular statistical learning approaches. Acquire the skills to implement various statistical learning algorithms in a range of real-world applications.
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Econometrics 1
Learn how to explain and apply different econometric models to real data and interpret the estimation results. Do the basic assumptions hold? If not, what are the consequences. Can you apply an alternative estimation technique?
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Risk Theory
Study and discuss the individual and collective risk models for total claims in an insurance portfolio. Learn about the Ruin theory, the Dutch bonus-malus system and the Markov analysis. Implement the various concepts and techniques with programming language R.
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Stochastic Models in Life Insurance
Study the elements of probability theory, stochastic processes and stochastic calculus. Learn how to apply stochastic formulations of mortality events and analyse the effects of stochastic mortality on premiums and reserving in life insurance.
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Research Seminar Actuarial Science & Mathematical Finance
Collect your own data sets and analyse them with appropriate techniques.
Our pre-Master’s in brief
Language | English |
Duration | 1 academic year |
ECTS | 48 ECTS |
Start pre-Master's | September |
Start MSc Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance | Following academic year in September (choose 1 of 2 tracks) |
Cost | You pay tuition fee per ECTS. Calculate your tuition fee |
Entry requirements
This pre-Master’s programme is selective. Only students with an EU/EEA nationality and previous EU education who have obtained the highest grades and best fit the programme are selected. Capacity restrictions may apply; meeting the entry requirements is no guarantee for being admitted to the programme.
The entry requirements for this pre-Master’s programme depend on previous education.
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Previous academic education from a Dutch research university
Your eligibility is based on the following citeria:
- Academic Bachelor’s degree with a focus on mathematics and statistics. You should have completed a level of mathematics, statistics and programming that is comparable to the following courses of the BSc in Actuarial Science: Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear Algebra and Real Analysis, Mathematics 4: Multivariate Analysis, Probability Theory and Statistics 1, Probability Theory and Statistics 2, Programming and Numerical Analysis
- GPA selection minimum of 7.5 (with a GPA lower than 7.5, excellent grades on the courses mentioned above are needed).
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Previous education from an International research University
Students with an EU academic degree + EU nationality:
Your eligibility is based on the following criteria:
- Academic Bachelor’s degree with a focus on mathematics and statistics. You should have completed a level of mathematics, statistics and programming that is comparable to the following courses of the BSc in Actuarial Science: Mathematics 3, Advanced Linear Algebra and Real Analysis, Mathematics 4: Multivariate Analysis, Probability Theory and Statistics 1, Probability Theory and Statistics 2, Programming and Numerical Analysis
- GRE selection minimum of 158 for the Quantitative Reasoning section.
- We require evidence of English language proficiency. Good English skills are essential for successful class participation and understanding. In some cases, you might be exempted from the English test requirement. If not, we'll assess your English skills through specific proficiency tests:
- TOEFL iBT Test: minimum total score of 92 with a minimum of 22 per section. You can use the institution code 9011 to have your score report sent to us.
- IELTS Academic: overall band score of: 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 per section. Please note that the IELTS Indicator test is not allowed.
- Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency: overall score of 180 and a minimum of 180 per skill.
Your English proficiency test score cannot be older than 2 years before the start date of your programme. For example, if you are applying for the September 2024 intake we do not accept English proficiency tests taken before September 2022. Sufficient test scores received after the application deadline are accepted, as long as your English proficiency test was taken before the application deadline.
We do not require a specific minimum GPA for this programme, but we will compare and assess the performance on all selection criteria to make an informed decision regarding placement into the programme.
Students with a non-EU degree + non-EU nationality
If you are a student with a non-EU nationality, you may consider applying for a Master’s-qualifying programme at the Cambridge Education Group.
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Previous education from a Dutch University of Applied Sciences (HBO)
We do not have a pre-Master’s programme available for students with previous education from a Dutch University of Applied Science (HBO). You can apply for our BSc Actuarial Science.
How to apply
If you meet all the admission requirements, you can apply for the pre-Master's programme. Please complete these steps to apply. Only applicants who complete these steps will be considered.
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1. Check the application deadline
The application deadline for the September 2024 intake:
For applicants with an EU degree: 1 May 2024 For applicants with a Dutch degree: 1 June 2024 -
2. Register in Studielink
Register in Studielink – Select the programme BSc Actuarial science - pre-Master's programme
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3. Check your personal enrolment checklist in SIS
After registering in Studielink, you will receive your UvAnetID. This will give you access to check the status of your personal enrolment Checklist. There you find the subsequent steps that you need to take in order to complete your enrolment.
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4. Submit your application
In order to check if you are eligible for the programme you need to upload and submit your documents in our online application system Embark. Make sure you keep an eye on the deadlines!
You will most likely receive your results within 4-6 weeks after we have received a complete application, but in peak moments (January till June) evaluating your application may take a few weeks longer.
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5. Pay the tuition fee
The tuition fees for your pre-Master’s programme depend on the number of ECTS credits you need to obtain. Please take into account that it is not possible to arrange payment of your tuition fees until the programme has officially admitted you to the pre-Master’s programme. The tuition fees for pre-Master's programmes are usually not calculated until August.
If you have received the great news that you are (conditionally) admitted to the programme, it's time to focus on other essential matters like arranging a visa (if necessary), finding accommodation, and preparing for the start of your academic journey. Want to get an early idea of what you need to consider? Visit one of these helpful pages: practical information / praktische zaken (Dutch info).