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Completion of this pre-Master's grants you access to the Master's Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance. The programme is designed to complement your prior education. It will help you to fully catch up on subjects such as Probability Theory and Statistics, Actuarial Science, Mathematical Finance and Econometrics. Within 1 academic year you will have all the necessary knowledge and skills to start your Master’s in Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance.

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 Master's 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 Master's Actuarial Science and Mathematical Finance.

The 8 courses of our pre-Master's
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Probability Theory and Statistics 3

    Gain fundamental insights into classical mathematical statistics and learn how to work with basic statistical models.

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

  • Previous academic education from a Dutch research university

    Your eligibility is based on the following criteria: 

    1. 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 Bachelor's in Actuarial Science: Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear AlgebraMathematics 4: Multivariate AnalysisProbability Theory and Statistics 1Probability Theory and Statistics 2Programming and Numerical Analysis 

    2. GPA selection minimum of 7.5 (with a GPA lower than 7.5, excellent grades on the courses mentioned above are needed).

  • Previous education from an International research University

    Students with an EU academic degree + EU nationality:

    Your eligibility is based on the following criteria: 

    1. 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 Bachelor's in Actuarial Science: Mathematics 3: Advanced Linear AlgebraMathematics 4: Multivariate AnalysisProbability Theory and Statistics 1Probability Theory and Statistics 2Programming and Numerical Analysis 

    2. GRE test: minimum score: 155 and preferably 158 in the Quantitative Reasoning section (please take your GRE test before the application deadline).

    3. 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 subscore. You can use the institution code 9011 to have your score report sent to us. 
    • IELTS Academic: overall band score of 6.5. Minimum score per subscore: Speaking and Writing a 6.5 and Listening and Reading a 6.0. 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. 

     

    Other test versions or modules are not accepted. Examples of this include but are not limited to: IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake, TOEFL Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Scores, etc.

    Validity of scores 

    Test scores may not be older than 2 years, counting back from the start of the programme. For example, if you are applying for the September 2025 intake, we do not accept English proficiency tests taken before September 2023. Scores older than 2 years are only valid in combination with certain study programmes (check the exemptions). 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.

  • 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.

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).