Best Universities for Actuarial Science in the UK 2027
Swansea University ranks first for actuarial science in 2027, ahead of the University of Essex in second and the University of East Anglia (UEA) in third. The ranking combines eight academic, career and student-experience measures rather than treating one earnings or teaching figure as decisive.
The supplied dataset contains 14 published institutions. Every row is present in the server-rendered HTML table below, while the shared ranking JavaScript can initially show the first ten and add search, sorting and expansion.
Data note: Graduate earnings are comparative outcome figures, not guaranteed salaries. HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after course completion. The exact earnings source cohort was not included in the supplied code and should be added when confirmed.
Top universities for actuarial science in 2027
The top three show different strengths within the published data. Swansea leads the combined score, Essex has the highest teaching-quality figure, and UEA shares the highest student-satisfaction result.
Swansea University
Swansea
The strongest combined score, with 79% satisfaction and 96% academic support.
University of Essex
Colchester
The highest teaching-quality result in the supplied table at 95%.
University of East Anglia (UEA)
Norwich
Joint-highest satisfaction at 79%, alongside Swansea University.
How the actuarial science ranking works
Eight measures shape the final result
No single earnings, teaching or lifestyle figure decides the winner. The ranking combines the following measures using the published Unifresher methodology.
Actuarial Science University Rankings 2027
Search or sort the 14 supplied institutions. Sorting changes the visual order only; the official published rank remains in the first column.
| Rank | University | Graduate earnings | Satisfaction | Teaching | Academic support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swansea University Swansea | £28,000 | 79% | 90% | 96% | 67 |
| 2 | University of Essex Colchester | £30,000 | 74% | 95% | 92% | 58 |
| 3 | University of East Anglia (UEA) Norwich | £27,000 | 79% | 83% | 88% | 52 |
| 4 | University of Liverpool Liverpool | £27,000 | 71% | 86% | 97% | 50 |
| 5 | University of York York | £30,000 | 77% | 86% | 88% | 49 |
| 6 | Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh | £33,000 | 75% | 92% | 91% | 46 |
| 7 | University of Manchester Manchester | £30,000 | 70% | 88% | 88% | 45 |
| 8 | University of Leeds Leeds | £28,000 | 74% | 78% | 78% | 42 |
| 9 | University of Kent Canterbury | £32,000 | 72% | 85% | 85% | 40 |
| 9 | London School of Economics and Political Science London | £43,000 | 69% | 87% | 87% | 40 |
| 10 | University of Leicester Leicester | £33,000 | 73% | 77% | 85% | 35 |
| 11 | University of Southampton Southampton | £32,000 | 76% | 60% | 60% | 30 |
| 12 | Queen Mary University of London London | £29,000 | 69% | 82% | 87% | 29 |
| 13 | City St George's, University of London London | £35,000 | 67% | 85% | 90% | 27 |
Key findings from the actuarial science ranking
Swansea leads the combined score
Swansea's overall score of 67 is supported by 79% satisfaction, 90% teaching quality and 96% academic support.
London School of Economics
LSE has the highest graduate-earnings figure in the supplied table at £43,000.
University of Essex
Essex records the highest teaching-quality score in the supplied table at 95%.
Swansea and UEA
Swansea University and UEA share the highest student-satisfaction figure at 79%.
University of Liverpool
Liverpool has the highest academic-support score in the published table at 97%.
Median earnings are £30,000
The median across all 14 supplied graduate-earnings figures is £30,000.
What this ranking tells you about studying actuarial science
This ranking is designed to show more than institutional reputation. It combines published subject outcomes and teaching measures with the wider practical experience of studying at a university and in its city.
Earnings vary, but they need the right context
The supplied earnings figures run from £27,000 to £43,000, with a median of £30,000. LSE has the highest figure, while Swansea ranks first overall. This shows why an earnings column should be used as one comparison point rather than as a guaranteed starting salary or a complete measure of course quality.
Check IFoA exemptions on the exact course
Professional recognition is not included as a score in this table, but it can affect the route after university. Eligible IFoA-accredited courses or modules may support applications for selected examination exemptions. The position varies by programme, modules, grades, enrolment date and the current university agreement, so students should verify the exact course in the IFoA directory rather than assuming accreditation applies across a whole institution.
A degree is preparation, not the complete professional qualification
An actuarial science degree can build knowledge in areas such as probability, statistics, financial mathematics, modelling, economics and data work. Course emphasis varies. Students should also compare the current professional route, placement opportunities, computing content and how the university supports preparation for work-based learning and later examinations.
The teaching and support columns can change a shortlist
Essex leads the published teaching measure at 95%, while Liverpool leads academic support at 97%. Swansea and UEA share the highest satisfaction score at 79%. These results help identify programmes where the day-to-day learning experience may be a particular strength, even when another institution has a higher earnings figure.
Russell Group membership is not a subject score
The ranking does not award points for membership of a university mission group. Compare the actuarial science course itself, its current exemption position, modules, placement opportunities, teaching, support, graduate outcomes, affordability and the wider student experience.
How to use the ranking when choosing an actuarial science degree
Verify the exact IFoA exemption position
Check the named course, modules, grade conditions, enrolment date and current agreement in the official directory.
Compare mathematics, modelling and data content
Review compulsory modules, statistical depth, programming or data work and the balance between actuarial theory and broader finance.
Look for placements and employer-facing experience
Use earnings as a comparison, then inspect placement years, internships, projects, careers support and the destinations of recent cohorts.
Balance teaching, support, cost and location
A lower headline earnings figure may still sit alongside stronger support, better affordability or a university experience that suits the student more closely.
Related Unifresher university rankings
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university for actuarial science in the UK in 2027?
Swansea University ranks first in the 2027 Unifresher actuarial science ranking with an overall score of 67. The University of Essex is second with 58, and the University of East Anglia (UEA) is third with 52.
How many universities are included in this actuarial science ranking?
The supplied page dataset contains 14 published institutions, and all 14 appear in the table and ItemList schema. No separate total for a wider unpublished analysis was provided, so this page does not claim one.
What graduate earnings are shown for actuarial science?
The published earnings figures range from £27,000 to £43,000, with a median of £30,000 across the 14 supplied institutions. These are comparative outcome figures, not guaranteed salaries for every graduate.
When are graduate outcomes measured?
HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after higher education course completion. The exact earnings source cohort used for this ranking was not included in the supplied code and should be added to the live page when confirmed.
Does IFoA accreditation matter for an actuarial science degree?
It can matter because students on eligible IFoA-accredited courses or modules may be able to apply for exemptions from selected professional examinations. Eligibility depends on the exact programme, modules, grades, enrolment date and current exemption agreement, so check the IFoA directory for the precise course.
Does an actuarial science degree make you a qualified actuary?
No. A degree can provide technical preparation and may lead to selected examination exemptions, but professional qualification has further examination, skills and work-based requirements. Check the current IFoA route rather than assuming the degree completes the process.
What should I look for in an actuarial science course?
Compare the exact IFoA exemption position, mathematical and statistical content, actuarial modelling, computing and data work, placement or internship opportunities, teaching quality, academic support, graduate outcomes and the complete cost of studying in the city.
Is a Russell Group university automatically better for actuarial science?
No. Russell Group membership is not one of the published ranking metrics. Compare the actuarial science programme itself, its current exemption position, teaching, support, placements, graduate outcomes, affordability and the wider student experience.
How are tied universities ranked?
Universities with the same overall score share the same published rank. This table uses dense ranking, so the University of Kent and LSE share ninth place and the next distinct score is ranked tenth.
How to verify the ranking and course information
- Unifresher university rankings methodology for the scoring model and source treatment.
- HESA Graduate Outcomes definitions for the approximately 15-month collection point.
- IFoA university courses with exemptions directory for course-specific agreements and exemption subjects.
- IFoA accreditation guidance for what programme or module accreditation means.
- IFoA curriculum for the current professional examination structure.
