E-mail: J.Hansen@ma.hw.ac.uk
Heriot-Watt University offers an excellent opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to prepare for a career as an actuary whilst studying in Edinburgh for a year. In particular, through its Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics department, the university can offer U.S. students a wide range of courses which will prepare them for the Society of Actuaries examinations.
The Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics Department was founded in 1971 and was the first of its kind in the UK. The department has an international reputation for research and our graduates fill senior actuarial posts worldwide. As of August 2002, the department will be part of the new School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences.
The academic year at Heriot-Watt consists of 3 ten-week terms with a four week break between terms. The academic year begins in October and ends at the end of June. A typical course of study consists of 4 courses (modules) each term. Your advisor at Heriot-Watt will help you to select a combination of courses that will satisfy both the requirements for your U.S. degree and which will also cover relevant topics in actuarial mathematics. Depending on the modules taken at Heriot-Watt, it is also possible for Junior Year Abroad students to obtain exemption from some SOA examinations. For further information about available modules, please consult the following links:
Heriot-Watt University is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the UK. It was established by Royal Charter in 1966, but its origins date back to 1821 through the School of Arts of Edinburgh. The School was a pioneer of equal opportunities, with women being welcomed as early as 1869, 20 years ahead of other institutions. The name Heriot-Watt commemorates George Heriot, the renowned 16th century jeweller and financier to James VI (and James I of England), and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer.
The campus is located on the western outskirts of Edinburgh, eight miles from the city centre. The 380-acre site at Riccarton was once the private estate of the Gibson-Craig family and much of the estate's extensive woods and gardens have been preserved by the university. Several of the trees on campus are exotic specimens which were collected and planted by Sir James Gibson-Craig in the early nineteenth century, whilst some of the native trees are several centuries old.
Halls of residence are set into the wooded parkland, some overlooking
the loch and all are within a few minutes walk of all classes. These
modern buildings have single and double rooms, many
of which have private bathrooms. Junior year abroad students who
enrol for all three terms are eligible to apply
for a place in the residences. The accommodation
is either on a self-catering basis or with meals provided in the refectories
and coffee shop/snack bar. There is a common room and kitchen facilities
in each building
and laundry facilities are also available.
The other facilities on the campus include a bank, shops, a medical centre, restaurants and bars. The university boasts one of the finest sports centres of any UK campus together with extensive playing fields.
The campus is served by three frequent bus services to and from Edinburgh city-centre with further local services stopping at the northern entrance to the site.
Students at Heriot-Watt enjoy easy and quick access to the centre of one of Europe's most beautiful cities. Edinburgh was established as Scotland's capital in the eleventh century, and the skyline of the city is still dominated by the castle and the medieval buildings of the Old Town. The city expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries and the elegant buildings of the New Town are the result of this expansion.
Although the city has expanded over the centuries, Edinburgh still remains a fairly compact city. As well as serving as an administrative capital for Scotland, it continues to be a centre of Scottish intellectual and cultural life. This role is reflected in Edinburgh's museums, libraries, theatres, art galleries and in its active musical life. In addition, the city is also the home to the Edinburgh Festival, Europe's premier international festival of music and drama.
Edinburgh has good public transport services and excellent road, rail
and air connections with all parts of the UK. A four hour train journey
can take you into the heart of London or into the remote beauty of the
Scottish Highlands.
The minimum prerequiste for the programme is a good understanding of single and multivariate calculus and an overall GPA of 3.0. Some knowledge of linear algebra and differential equations is also desirable. The programme is most suitable for students who intend to major in mathematics, statistics, or actuarial science, but other students with a sufficiently strong mathematics background may also be accepted.
Further information about the Junior Year Abroad programme in Actuarial Mathematics can also be obtained from:
Dr Jennie Hansen,
Junior Year Abroad programme,
Department of Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics,
Heriot-Watt University,
Riccarton,
Edinburgh, EH14 4AS
E-mail: J.Hansen@ma.hw.ac.uk
17 September 2004
