A copy of our graduate recruitment brochure is available
here.
Details
of the current examination syllabus are available here.
The work of GAD
The Government Actuary’s Department provides an
actuarial consultancy service to the public sector. Advice
is provided in many fields where actuarial skills play
an important part, including social security, employee
pension arrangements and statistical studies. GAD also
advise overseas insurance industry regulators.
A wide breadth of experience is offered, from assisting
in the formulation of government policies which may affect
millions of people to making recommendations on the terms
of a financial settlement involving a single individual.
While the department’s main clients are government
departments in the United Kingdom, advice is increasingly
being given to governments and other organisations in other
parts of the world.
The work includes investigations, analytical work and
advice to clients on a wide variety of actuarial, financial
and statistical subjects and involves frequent contact
with clients, including other government departments and
public bodies.
What do we offer?
As a Trainee Actuary, you will work directly with fully
qualified actuaries and acquire professional expertise
by working on current assignments in the department while
studying for professional examinations using a combination
of correspondence courses, personal study, discussion classes
and tutorials. You must be prepared to apply yourself to
a demanding course of study over a period of several years.
As a Trainee Actuary, you will be given substantial support
with study leave, work experience, counselling and course
and examination fees, to enable you to obtain your professional
qualifications as quickly as possible. The work of the
Department is varied, and you will be given the opportunity
to broaden your experience by working in different areas.
The work is far from routine and there are always new problems
to be tackled. These call for clear thinking in the development
of a sound professional approach to their solution.
What do we look for?
Actuarial work requires strong mathematical abilities
as well as communication skills. You must have recently
acquired or expect to soon obtain a first
or upper second class honours degree in mathematics, or
one with a high mathematical content (for instance, physics
or economics). If you have not recently graduated, but
have recently undertaken a significant amount of study
i.e. post graduate degree/diploma, Masters, PhD, Open University
degree course in a highly numerate subject or you can demonstrate
the ability to undertake significant amounts of study and
work, you will be eligible to apply.
You must also have an ‘A’ level in mathematics
at Grade B or above and at least GCSE in English language
or literature at Grade C or above, or equivalent Scottish
Certificate of Education qualifications. Candidates with
non-UK qualifications should explain how their qualifications
compare to ‘A’ levels.
Personal qualities
GAD’s selection process is demanding and, to be
considered, candidates must demonstrate several essential
qualities. You must have the personal qualities required
for professional work with high levels of responsibility.
These include the ability to communicate well, both orally
and in writing, to explain technical matters in layman’s
language and to work as part of a small team with regular
client contact. The self-discipline to pursue the demanding
course of study to qualify as an actuary is essential.
Qualified Actuaries have to represent the department at
a wide variety of meetings with clients including government
officials and ministers as well as those outside the Civil
Service, so good inter-personal skills are important.
What will I be doing?
The work of the Department is varied, and you will be given
the opportunity to broaden your experience by working in
different areas. The work is far from routine and there
are always new problems to be tackled. These call for clear
thinking in the development of a sound professional approach
to their solution.
