| AQF Level |
Level 9 Masters by Coursework Degree |
| CRICOS Code |
083775K |
| Overview and Aims of the Program |
This degree is designed for graduates who wish to obtain a professionally accredited qualification in actuarial science. Actuaries work in the financial management and control of insurance and related entities, and in the quantitative aspects of insurance, banking, investment and finance and other areas of business.
Key features:
• allows you to complete part or all of Part I and II of the Actuaries Institute professional qualifications
• gives you the chance for partial professional accreditation with the Actuaries Institute if you demonstrate strong academic performance
• offers a range of electives in actuarial science, statistics, finance and economics. |
| Graduate Capabilities |
The Graduate Capabilities Framework articulates the fundamentals that underpin all of Macquarie’s academic programs. It expresses these as follows:
Cognitive capabilities
(K) discipline specific knowledge and skills
(T) critical, analytical and integrative thinking
(P) problem solving and research capability
(I) creative and innovative
Interpersonal or social capabilities
(C) effective communication
(E) engaged and ethical local and global citizens
(A) socially and environmentally active and responsible
Personal capabilities
(J) capable of professional and personal judgement and initiative
(L) commitment to continuous learning |
| Program Learning Outcomes |
By the end of this program it is anticipated you should be able to:
1. demonstrate the ability to apply the theory of mathematical finance (K)
2. demonstrate expertise in the application of insurance pricing and reserving (K)
3. demonstrate expertise in the application of mathematical insurance theory (K)
4. demonstrate knowledge of research principles and methods as used in actuarial theory and practice (K)
5. model and critically analyse complex problems involving financial risk (T)
6. demonstrate an understanding of contemporary social and economic developments relevant to the financial services industry (T)
7. conduct independent research of specialised issues in actuarial practice (P, J)
8. recommend appropriate solutions to complex actuarial problems (P, J)
9. demonstrate communication skills relevant to an appropriate professional environment (C)
10. develop awareness of contemporary issues and ethics in relation to financial services and insurance (E)
11. apply teamwork knowledge and skills for effective collaboration to achieve diverse purposes in a range of contexts (E).
|
| Learning and Teaching Methods |
This program employs a mixture of lectures, tutorials and practicals to meet its learning outcomes:
• Lectures are oral presentations that are intended to present information or teach students about a particular subject. However, lectures are not purely passive experiences, and in many units students will be given problems to work on and discuss in groups before the lecturer summarises the main issues of the problem.
• Tutorials are smaller classes where students get to work at their own pace on various problems and seek feedback from their tutor. Tutorials allow a level of feedback not possible in the larger lectures.
• Practicals are usually held in computer laboratories and allow students to gain experience with relevant statistical software.
While the majority of classes are taught by university staff, several units also employ presentations by industry practitioners. This is particularly so in the program's capstone unit. This unit involves extensive presentations by industry partners, who are also involved in assessing and providing feedback on a major assessment task in which students tackle a real world project and provide a verbal presentation on their findings. |
| Assessment |
• Most units in the program include regular tutorial exercises which are designed for students to test their own understanding. These are formative and are not assessed. There are also a range of assessment tasks which are used to determine students' grades.
• Final Exam: this program is accredited by the Actuaries Institute, the Australian professional actuarial body. To assist in meeting accreditation requirements, many units in the program have an assessment scheme strongly weighted towards a final exam. A unit's final examination is designed to assess a student's command of the entire unit's knowledge and skills. While multiple choice questions are used in some units, most exam questions require longer written answers, which may be either mathematical in nature or word-based. Actuaries do not work in isolation but rather need to be able to explain their results to members of other professions, so exam questions do include scenarios requiring non-technical explanations of the meaning of calculations.
• Written assessments in traditional academic format: these may range from short essays to longer, self-directed research papers, literature reviews and annotated bibliographies. The research component of the coursework will be assessed summatively in a substantial independent research project in the unit ACST840 Quantitative Research Methods II.
• Assignments: an assignment may take a variety of formats such as the analysis of data using a spreadsheet or statistical software, the development of a mathematical argument, or the production of a formal report explaining the results of any of the previous items.
• Quizzes: a quiz is an online assessment. Quizzes usually consist of a short series of questions which may be true/false, multiple choice, or require students to enter a numerical answer. Quizzes are usually computer-marked, their main advantage being their ability to provide immediate feedback to students.
• Presentations: presentations may be conducted on an individual or group basis. Traditionally they have involved a live oral presentation with appropriate visual aids, but looking forward they may allow students to develop a video presentation.
• Tests: class tests are held during class time under normal exam conditions. They allow students to practice their exam skills in preparation for the final exam. |
| Recognition of Prior Learning |
Macquarie University may recognise prior formal, informal and non-formal learning for the purpose of granting credit towards, or admission into, a program. The recognition of these forms of learning is enabled by the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy (see www.mq.edu.au/policy) and its associated Procedures and Guidelines. The RPL pages contain information on how to apply, links to registers, and the approval processes for recognising prior learning for entry or credit.
Domestic students
For undergraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/nonschoolrpl
For domestic postgraduate RPL information visit www.goto.mq.edu.au/pgrpl
International students
For RPL information visit www.mq.edu.au/international/rpl undefined |
| Support for Learning |
Macquarie University aspires to be an inclusive and supportive community of learners where all students are given the opportunity to meet their academic and personal goals. The University offers a comprehensive range of free and accessible student support services which include academic advice, counselling and psychological services, advocacy services and welfare advice, careers and employment, disability services and academic skills workshops amongst others. There is also a bulk billing medical service located on campus.
Further information can be found at www.students.mq.edu.au/support/
Campus Wellbeing contact details:
Phone: +61 2 9850 7497
Email: campuswellbeing@mq.edu.au
www.students.mq.edu.au/support/health_and_wellbeing/contact_us |
| Program Standards and Quality |
The program is subject to an ongoing comprehensive process of quality review in accordance with a pre-determined schedule that complies with the Higher Education Standards Framework. The review is overseen by Macquarie University's peak academic governance body, the Academic Senate and takes into account feedback received from students, staff and external stakeholders. |
| Graduate Destinations and Employability |
Career opportunities:
• Completion of this degree can lead to well paid and rewarding career opportunities in the insurance, financial services and banking industries, and in the quantitative modelling of consumer behaviour and data analytics
• The actuarial qualification has international recognition and many of our graduates work in international financial centres such as London, New York, Singapore and Shanghai.
Employers:
• accounting firms
• actuarial and superannuation consulting firms
• banks and funds management
• general insurance companies
• health insurance companies
• life insurance companies
• management consulting firms
• public sector
• stockbrokers. |
| Assessment Regulations |
This program is subject to Macquarie University regulations, including but not limited to those specified in the Assessment Policy, Academic Honesty Policy, the Final Examination Policy and relevant University Rules. For all approved University policies, procedures, guidelines and schedules visit www.mq.edu.au/policy. |
| Accreditation |
This is an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) accredited qualification.
Part I of the professional qualification covers the core technical skills that are essential knowledge for any actuary.
Completion of the following units as part of this degree with sufficiently good results may exempt students from Part I of the Actuaries Institute professional qualification requirements (subjects CT1 to CT8): CT1: ACST851, CT2: ACST852, CT3: STAT810 or STAT806, CT4: ACST818 and ACST819, CT5: ACST859 and ACST860, CT6: ACST861 and ACST862, CT7: ECON991, CT8: ACST816 and ACST817.
Part II covers the application of these core technical skills to the financial management and control of insurance companies and related entities. Completion of the units ACST831, ACST832 and ACST871, with sufficiently good results may meet the requirements for Part II of the Actuaries Institute. |
