BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia · Putrajaya, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Actuaries manage risk and uncertainty and evaluate the likely impact of future events. Heriot-Watt’s BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science programme is designed to give you a strong start toward a career as an actuary while building transferable mathematical skills.
The degree mirrors the successful BSc Actuarial Science offered in the UK and is accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Royal Statistical Society (RSS). Teaching is delivered through lectures, tutorials, and project work, with assessment based on coursework and/or exams.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Probability & Statistics A (F78PA) and Probability & Statistics B (F78PB).
- Actuarial & Financial Mathematics A (F78AA) and Actuarial & Financial Mathematics B (F78AB).
- Multivariable Calculus & Real Analysis (F18CD and F18CE).
- Linear Algebra (F18CF).
- Algorithmic and Scientific Programming (F78AP) plus Finance & Financial Reporting (C37FF) in Semester 2.
- Statistical Models B (F79MB) and Bayesian Inference & Computational Methods (F79BI).
- Survival Models (F79SU) and Life Insurance Mathematics (F70LB).
- Multivariable Calculus & Real Analysis continues through the Year 2 suite (as per the course lists).
- Derivative Markets & Discrete-time Finance (F79DF) and related actuarial maths and finance content.
- Final-year actuarial science courses continue the progression in actuarial and financial mathematics and risk modelling.
- Honours-degree assessment is based on coursework and/or exams, with honours papers not allowing resits as stated in the handbook.
- Students complete the full honours pathway to reach the award credits required for the honours degree.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September Year 1 (Sept’22) | Mandatory September courses and optional September courses | Real Analysis | 15 | 66 |
| Linear Algebra | 15 | |||
| Algorithmic and Scientific Programming | 15 | |||
| Probability and Statistics A | 15 | |||
| Self-Empowerment and Social Responsibility I | 2 | |||
| National Language A (MPU 3212) | 2 | |||
| Self-Empowerment and Social Responsibility I (MPU 3422) | 2 | |||
| January Year 1 (Jan’23) | Mandatory January courses and optional January courses | Multivariable Calculus | 15 | 64 |
| Data Science Life Cycle | 15 | |||
| Actuarial and Financial Mathematics | 15 | |||
| Probability and Statistics B | 15 | |||
| Appreciation of Ethics and Civilisations | 2 | |||
| Malay Language Communication 2 (MPU 3143) | 2 | |||
| September Year 2 (Sept’23) | Mandatory September courses and required MPU courses | Statistical Models A | 15 | 62 |
| Stochastic Processes | 15 | |||
| Life Insurance Mathematics A | 15 | |||
| Portfolio Theory & Asset Models | 15 | |||
| Self-Empowerment and Social Responsibility II | 2 | |||
| January Year 2 (Jan’24) | Mandatory January courses and required MPU courses | Statistical Models B | 15 | 62 |
| Survival Models | 15 | |||
| Life Insurance Mathematics B | 15 | |||
| Derivative Markets & Discrete-time Finance | 15 | |||
| Knowledge Expansion about Malaysia | 2 | |||
| September Year 3 (Sept’24) | Mandatory September courses and required MPU courses | Statistics for Social Science | 15 | 64 |
| Introductory Economics | 15 | |||
| Continuous-time Finance | 15 | |||
| Optimisation | 15 | |||
| Philosophy and Current Issues | 2 | |||
| Life Skills (Curriculum Mapping by HWUM) | 2 | |||
| January Year 3 (Jan’25) | Mandatory January courses, required MPU courses, and dissertation | Bayesian Inference & Computational Methods | 15 | 93 |
| Ordinary Differential Equations | 15 | |||
| Risk Theory | 15 | |||
| Time Series Analysis | 15 | |||
| Statistics Dissertation B | 15 | |||
| Statistics Special Topic | 15 | |||
| Self-Empowerment and Social Responsibility II (MPU 3422) | 2 | |||
| Total | 132 credit hours | |||
Career outcomes
- You get a structured actuarial curriculum that is designed to prepare you for a career as an actuary while building highly transferable mathematical skills.
- You can pursue actuarial-focused roles such as trainee actuary positions and further progression through professional actuarial qualifications.
- You also gain a strong quantitative foundation that supports wider careers in areas like accountancy, banking, stockbroking, and risk-focused analytics.
- Your degree learning is delivered through lectures, tutorials, and project work, helping you develop practical problem-solving ability used in actuarial and finance workplaces.
- You are positioned for careers across insurance and pensions, and also emerging risk roles in sectors such as banking, financial services, and government regulation.
Employability rate
Heriot-Watt University Malaysia reports that almost 90% of its students are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
This indicates a strong and stable outcome outlook for graduates as they transition into actuarial and related quantitative careers in Malaysia and beyond.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Recognised foundation/qualification pathway | International applicants must meet Heriot-Watt’s standard entry requirements for this undergraduate programme, including relevant mathematics preparation. For students using an international qualification pathway, the university lists acceptable qualifications and subject/grade expectations on the programme page. |
Language requirements
International applicants must provide proof of English language ability accepted by Heriot-Watt University Malaysia for undergraduate study. Test scores must be passed within two years of the start date and you must meet the published minimum overall score and any required component minima where applicable.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 55035.2 / per year | Published as Annual tuition fee (RM) for international students: BSc (Hons) Actuarial Science 45,240 / 55,035.20. |
| Application fee | MYR 530 / one time | Application processing fee for each application form submitted for international students. |
Proof of financial resources
You will need to show that you can fund your studies and living costs for your student visa application. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia’s admissions and visa process may require specific documents and amounts; follow the visa guidance provided during the application process.
- Evidence of ability to pay tuition and living costs as required for the Malaysia student visa process
- Any additional visa-related financial documents requested by the relevant Malaysia immigration authority during the application process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | January - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | December 01, 2025 | July 03, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | December 01, 2026 | August 03, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | December 01, 2025 | August 03, 2026 |
| Semester begins | January 05, 2026 | September 07, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | January - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | January - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | December 01, 2025 | August 03, 2026 |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Apply online during the intake window
Submit your application via the Heriot-Watt University Malaysia online application form for the relevant undergraduate intake. Heriot-Watt accepts applications online and states that applications are accepted all year round, with published intake calendar dates. As part of the process, you will be asked to pay an application processing fee for each application form you submit. Keep your supporting documents ready for upload before you submit your application.
Upload supporting documents and language proof
Upload the supporting documents required for undergraduate applications, including proof of English language proficiency and original or certified academic transcripts. The university notes that you should upload all supporting documents the application requires, including your language proof and certified academic records. Check the required document list in your applicant account, and ensure your uploads match the format and certification expectations stated by the university. If anything is missing after submission, follow the follow-up instructions in your applicant account.
Pay fees and complete next steps for admissions and visa
After you submit your application, follow the instructions provided in your applicant account for any remaining steps. Heriot-Watt University Malaysia includes a visa application fee as a mandatory charge imposed by the immigration authorities to process and assess student visa applications. You will also need to comply with any personal bond or visa requirements communicated during the visa process. Complete these steps early so your student visa timeline aligns with the published intake schedule.