Q How can I learn about careers in Actuarial Science?
The best resources can be found Online at http://www.beanactuary.org/.

Q How will the U of R program prepare me for a career as an actuary?
The course of study will prepare you for Exams P, FM, C, MFE and MLC. The Internship will give you an opportunity to work in the industry for 12-16 months prior to graduating. In addition, you will have exposure to local and national employers.

Q How easy will be it for me to find a job on graduation?
Generally, the students who graduate from our program with SOA exams find entry level actuarial jobs. In many cases students have found a permanent job before they finish their course work.

Q Who hires graduates from the U of R program?

The following employers have hired graduates from the U of R program in full time actuarial jobs:

1. AON (Saskatoon, Regina and Calgary)
2. The Cooperators (Regina)
3. Great West Life (Winnipeg)
4. ManuLife (Toronto)
5. Morneau Sheppel (Ottawa)
6. Mercer's (Calgary)
7. SGI (Regina and Saskatoon)
8. Sun Life (Waterloo)
   

In addition, graduates have been hired in a number of non-actuarial roles that use the skills and knowledge learned in the U of R actuarial program.

Q How many internships are available to ACSC students?

Both the number of internship positions and the number of students looking for internship placements vary from year to year according to demand. There have been as few as 3 internships to as many as 8. However, for the last few years there have been more positions open than students available to take placements.

Q Who hires interns from the U of R program?
The following Canadian employers have hired U of R interns:

1. AON (Saskatoon)
2. The Cooperators
3. Great West Life (Winnipeg)
4. London Life (London, Ontario)
5. Mercer's (Calgary)
6. SGI
7. Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board

In addition, several Chinese students have found internships in their home country.

Q How tough are the actuarial exams?
The pass rates on most professional exams are between 40 and 50%. Generally, our students do very well on these exams. Many students graduate with 2 or more SOA exams. Very strong students graduate with 4 or more exams.

Q How do the U of R's actuarial science courses at U of R relate to the SOA's Actuarial Exams?
This is laid out in the table below.

Q I understand that I can get credit for these professional exams by taking U of R courses. How does this work?

The Canadian Institute of Actuaries will grant exemptions for students who meet the minimum grades in U of R courses. Details can be found on the Prairie Actuary.

Q When do you recommend I write the exams and in what order?

The SOA exams are typically written in May and November, and most students find that May is their preferred time to write an SOA exam. As a rough guide, try Exam FM after your second year of ACSC classes, P or MLC after your third year and C or MFE after your fourth year. Students on Internships often have study time support from their employers and tend to write in November as well as May. Exam P can be written in January (and also in March at CBT sites) and some students write P at that time as well as taking an exam in May.

Q I understand that the SOA is using computer based testing, is this available locally?

So far exams P and FM have been administered using computer based technology, although the SOA is moving to have MLC, MFE and C be computer based soon. So far, no site exits in Regina to allow for computer based testing (we're working on it), so exams are written with pencil and paper in Regina. Computer based facilities are available in Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Calgary.

Q How many students are in the U of R program?

While class sizes vary from Year to Year, we have about 10-12 graduates every Year. The entry level course (ACSC116) has an enrollment of about 30 students per Year, but not includes students from other areas who find the material useful but don't plan to complete an ACSC degree. About 2/3 of the 116 class take ACSC217, and perhaps 2/3 of these carry on to complete the ACSC degree.