In the Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, we offer B.S. in Actuarial Science which will prepare you for a career in the actuarial profession. Multiple actuarial designations are available nowadays, including Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, Certified Enterprise Risk Analyst and Registered Professional Liability Underwriter. Our degree will help you pass the actuarial exams which are necessary to obtain these certifications and future career advancement. You can also join the Actuarial Association to meet other students who share your interests and aspirations. UCSB is among the few public universities designated as a Center of Actuarial Excellence, making it an ideal place to pursue advanced training in actuarial science.

What do Actuaries do?

Actuaries work on a wide variety of projects in diverse business environments. Their specialty is assessing risks and then designing ways to decrease impact and likelihood of undesirable events. To do so, they carry out a rigorous quantitative analysis using their broad background in statistics, mathematics and finance. For example, actuaries are experts in:

  • Analyzing insurance rates, such as for cars, homes or life insurance.
  • Estimating the money to be set-aside for future pension/retirement benefits.
  • Participating in corporate planning, such as assessing the value of a company about to merge with another business.
  • Calculating a fair price for a new insurance product.
  • Forecasting the potential impact of catastrophes.
  • Analyzing investment programs.

Degree Requirements

To be admitted to the full major, students must complete all pre-major courses with a 2.5 or higher UC grade-point average. All pre-major courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Students are permitted to repeat a maximum of two pre-major courses. Only one repeat is allowed in each course. In the case of a letter grade below C, students must repeat the course at UCSB. Preparation courses are excluded from the pre-major GPA, but will apply to the overall major GPA. Students must complete Computer Science 8 and either 9 or 16 with a grade of “C” or better. Entry into the pre-major does not guarantee admission to full major status. While completing required preparation, students are classified as a Pre-Actuarial Science major. 

VEE's (Validation by Educational Experience) & Actuarial Exams

UCSB offers VEE-approved courses, and students are encouraged to complete their Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) requirements during their undergraduate studies to reduce future costs and gain a head start in their careers. In addition, the major’s coursework is structured to align with the content of actuarial exams, and most students are advised to take one or two exams to remain competitive for future employment.

BS/MS Program

Actuarial Science students have the opportunity to pursue a one-year MS through an exclusive program available only to Actuarial Science undergraduates. See the BS/MS program page for more information.

Prospective Transfer Students

  1. If a student transferring to UCSB has two or more actuarial pre-major courses to complete at UCSB, the student must complete these courses with a GPA of 2.5.
  2. If a student transferring to UCSB has only one pre-major course to complete at UCSB, the student must meet the 2.5 GPA with the remaining pre-major course and PSTAT 120A. 
  3. If a student transferring to UCSB has completed all the pre-major courses, the student must meet the GPA with PSTAT 120A.

Preparation for High Schoolers

  • Two years of algebra
  • Courses in geometry and trigonometry at high school
  • AP Statistics 

Additional Resources

Major Sheets:

Recommended Plans of Study:

Misc: