Honours Actuarial & Financial Mathematics is ideal for students with strong mathematical skills who are considering careers as an actuary or in the financial industry.
The program prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed to write the actuarial exams, claim all three actuarial Validation by Educational Experiences (VEEs) and develop the professional requirements that lead to career success in industries like insurance and banking.
October 31, 2023 – The Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) has announced that McMaster University has received the highest honour through the CAS University Recognition Program, achieving the Gold Tier.
This program recognizes academic institutions with a demonstrated commitment to preparing property and casualty actuaries through their educational offerings. The CAS is the world’s only actuarial organization focused exclusively on property and casualty risks, serving over 10,000 members worldwide. CAS members work for insurance companies, educational institutions, state insurance departments, federal government agencies, independent consulting firms, and many other organizations that require management of risk.
Program Type
Honours Bachelor of Science
Degree at Graduation
Limited Enrollment
Co-op Program
Beginning at Level 3
Admission Requirements
Enrollment in this program is limited.
Possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission is by selection and is based on completion of the supplementary application by the stated deadline and academic achievement, but requires, as a minimum, completion of any Level 1 program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including:
- 1 course from MATH 1A03, 1LS3, 1X03
- 1 course from MATH 1AA3, 1LT3, 1XX3 with a grade of at least 6.0 (C+)
- MATH 1B03
Typical Second-Year Courses
COMMERCE 2FA3
Introduction to Finance
MATH 2C03
Introduction to Differential Equations
MATH 2FM3
Introduction to Mathematical Finance
MATH 2LA3
Applied Linear Algebra
MATH 2R03
Linear Algebra 2
STATS 2D03
Introduction to Probability
Career Opportunities
Actuarial & Mathematics students develop a range of skills that are easily transferred to a wide range of careers.
Graduates have pursued careers in the following areas:
- Actuarial Science
- Financial Analysis
- Accounting
- Data Analysis
- Economics
- User Experience Design
- Stock Market Analysis
- Auditing
- Biostatistics
- Cyber Security
- Software Development