Actuarial science for invest banking???

Wouldn't bring your chances down as such but it wouldn't bring them up either. First question you will be asked at interview is "why don't you want to be an actuary anymore"

Wouldn't bring your chances down as such but it wouldn't bring them up either. First question you will be asked at interview is "why don't you want to be an actuary anymore"

Are there (m)any actuary jobs in investment banks?

Thats a fair enough question But im wondering because I have a choice to either take Acturial science at cass where they have great links or economics at the same uni but its not cass. Either way I want the one that will give me the best chance of getting in IB and ive got about a day to decide.

Depends. Market for actuaries isn't as great as it used to be. Haven't looked myself for jobs recently but actuaries can usually be found in risk management or as pensions specialists for banks/asset managers that specifically offer such products and have budget/need for in-house actuaries instead of using consultants.


To be honest with you, i don't think there is much point doing Actuarial science if you don't want to be an actuary. My point of view is that the main draw of the degree is to get exemptions. If you like maths then study maths.

If you have no intention of becoming an actuary then study something you will actually enjoy, otherwise you will regret it when your friends are outside enjoying life and you are spending your days in the library and lectures.

As has been stated many times in this forum and many others out there, degree choice bears little to no factor in "getting into IB", more important is the institution, and even more so, the individuals determination. I'd argue you're better off studying the more generic economics degree and strengthening your CV with ECs and as much work experience as possible.

Depends. Market for actuaries isn't as great as it used to be. Haven't looked myself for jobs recently but actuaries can usually be found in risk management or as pensions specialists for banks/asset managers that specifically offer such products and have budget/need for in-house actuaries instead of using consultants.

Well that pretty much put the nail in the coffin for me, guess actuarial is not the degree for me. Thanks for you help anyway

Well that pretty much put the nail in the coffin for me, guess actuarial is not the degree for me. Thanks for you help anyway

I'm not trying to put you off, it is a valuable degree but I want you to consider it from all angles. It's a specialised degree designed to help people become actuaries. Not the best comparison, but it's like studying dentistry and then going into something else, you will always be asked "why didn't you become a dentist", "how do you think your degree will help you in this field".

If you don't have a good answer for these sorts of questions then forget about getting past the first round.

Lol at letting 1 single post on a forum change the rest of your life

Im wondering if the degree would still be effective in any other areas of investment banking other than in Actuary Departments. Does having a degree in Actuary as opposed to a degree such as Economics or international finance bring your chances down when looking for jobs in investment banking.