Introduction
The Institute of Actuaries was formed in 1848. On 8 July 1998 the institute marked its 150th Anniversary. The Royal Charter of Incorporation was granted to the Institute in1884. The Charter defines the objects of the Institute as: a. in the public interest to promote knowledge and research in all matters relevant to actuarial science and its application; b. to regulate the practice by its Members of the profession of actuary; c. to promote, uphold and develop the highest standards of professional education, training, knowledge, practice and conduct amongst actuaries and in pursuance of this object to publish codes of conduct and practice and guidance notes of all kinds; d. to promote the status of the actuarial profession and of those who are engaged in it in any capacity; e. to be a regulatory body for the purpose of any legislation and when appropriate for such purposes to regulate or govern the carrying on of any activity or type of business by, or any aspect of the affairs of, actuaries are members (whether with or without others), bodies corporate of which actuaries are members or directors (whether with or without others) and for purposes connected therewith; and f. to do all such other things as may be considered to be incidental or conducive to the above objects or any of them. Since 1887 the Institute has been housed in Staple Inn, apart from a break of eleven years following the destruction of Staple Inn Hall by a flying bomb in August 1944. A number of eminent men, many of whom were Fellows of the Royal Society, played a part in the early development of actuarial science, but for a considerable period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries actuarial talents were almost wholly concentrated on the practical problems to which the expansion of life assurance was giving rise. Indeed, life assurance is still the principal sphere of occupation of actuaries, as can be seen from the Analysis of Occupations on page 24 of the Member's Handbook, but a growing number are becoming concerned with the application of statistical theory to the problems of general insurance (fire, accident, marine, etc.). In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the number of actuaries in whole-time consulting practice, largely as the result of the great extension of privately invested pension schemes. Actuaries are also employed in Government service both at home and abroad; in the United Kingdom they are mostly in the Government Actuary's Department. In industry and commerce too, actuaries can be found in a variety of activities, and some occupy top management posts as directors and chairmen of companies. The Stock Exchange and other fields of investment activity provide obvious outlets for actuarial expertise, particularly with the rapid growth of institutional investment.
Exam details
Subject
100 series
101 Statistical modelling 102 Financial mathematics 103 Stochastic modelling 104 Survival models 105 Actuarial mathematics I 106 Actuarial mathematics II 107 Economics 108 Finance and financial reporting 109 Financial economics
200 Series
201 Communications
300 Series
301 Investment and asset management 302 Life insurance 303 General insurance 304 Pensions and other benefits
400 Series
401 UK Fellowship: Investment and asset management 402 UK Fellowship: Life insurance 403 UK Fellowship: General insurance 404 UK Fellowship: Pensions
Qualification offered
UK Actuarial examinations
Diploma in Actuarial Techniques
This is awarded to candidates who have passed all the subjects in the 100 series of the professional examinations or have gained exemptions through designated university courses.
Certificate in Finance and Investment
This is awarded to candidates who have passed subjects 102,103,107,108,109 and 301 Investment and Asset Management. It demonstrates knowledge in the investment area.
Associateship of the Institute or Faculty (AIA or AFA)
Associateship is awarded to candidates who have gained the Diploma in Actuarial Techniques, passed subject 201 Communications and the four 300 series subjects, and attended an Associate professionalism course. The subjects studied cover both the theoretical foundation for actuarial practice and the principles behind actuarial applications work.
Fellowship of the Institute or Faculty (FIA or FFA)
The Fellowship is the main qualification as an actuary. It is awarded to candidates who have passed the examination requirements for the Associateship and in addition have passed one actuarial subject at Fellowship level chosen from Investment, Life Insurance, General Insurance or Pensions. Candidates have to demonstrate that they can apply the theoretical framework in an established practical country-specific applications area of actuarial word. A Fellowship professionalism course must be attended within one year of qualification.
Certificate in Derivatives
This examination is open to all students in the profession. It aims to give candidates an introduction to the terminology, mathematical principles and risks in derivatives and the markets in which they can be traded. |