• ECTS

    120 credits

  • Duration

    2 years

  • Training Structure

    School of Economics

  • Language(s) of Instruction

    French

Overview

The Actuarial track is one of the tracks within the Currency, Banking, Finance, and Insurance (MBFA) program in the School of Economics.

It aims to provide students with a solid foundation of theoretical and methodological knowledge that will enable them to pursue a career as an actuary, while also preparing future researchers in the fields of actuarial science, finance, and insurance.

What is an actuary?

An actuary is a professional who specializes in applying probability and statistics to issues related to insurance, finance, and social security.

An actuary’s role involves analyzing and quantifying risks, assessing their financial impact, and estimating the associated future cash flows. To do this, actuaries use advanced mathematical tools—primarily drawn from probability theory and statistics—to model and predict future events such as:

  • the length of human life,

  • the frequency of claims,

  • or the extent of the associated financial losses.

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The Benefits of the Training Program

  • A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION 
  • SOUGHT-AFTER EXPERTISE 
  • A STRONG CONNECTION TO THE PROFESSIONAL WORLD 

 

 

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Objectives

  • Learn actuarial methods and tools and apply them to professional practice
  • To acquire the theoretical and methodological knowledge necessary to pursue a career as an actuary and to prepare future researchers in this field.
  • Master actuarial concepts, techniques, and methods.
  • Be able to organize, analyze, and synthesize the processing of information and results.
  • Working with Large Databases
  • Proficiency in computer software and programming languages 
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Expertise and Skills

Expertise

  • Apply actuarial methodsto risk assessment and management.

  • Develop and implement probabilistic and statistical models applied to insurance and finance.

  • Analyze the financial impact of risks and estimate future cash flows.

  • Collect, clean, and process large databases.

  • Use specialized software and programming languages tailored to actuarial problems.

  • Conduct quantitative studies and interpret the results of statistical analyses.

  • Write technical reports and present results in a structured manner.

 

Skills

  • Proficiency in the fundamental concepts of actuarial science, statistics, and probability.

  • Ability to model random phenomena and perform predictive analyses.

  • Ability to analyze, synthesize, and interpret complex information.

  • Ability to independently solve complex quantitative problems.

  • Critical thinking and scientific rigor.

  • Ability to work with advanced computer tools.

  • Written and oral communication skills, particularly when explaining technical findings in layman's terms.

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International Dimension

Starting in their second year, students can spend a year (two semesters) at one of the 60 universities with which the School of Economics has partnerships through the ERASMUS+, inter-university agreements, and CHARM-EU exchange programs.

https://economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/international/

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Organization

Knowledge Assessment

Master’s programs at the School of Economics are structured over two years and four semesters and are based on an assessment system designed to measure students’ learning progress in a gradual and comprehensive manner. At the end of each semester, the skills, competencies, and knowledge acquired in each course unit (UE) are assessed in one of two ways: through continuous assessment or a final exam.

Continuous assessment allows for regular monitoring of student progress through various forms of evaluation: proctored exams, graded tutorials, presentations, projects, document analyses, and active participation in class. This approach encourages regular attendance, consistent work, and the gradual acquisition of skills.

The final exam, on the other hand, consists of a written or oral test administered at the end of the semester. Its purpose is to assess the student’s overall mastery of the concepts taught and their ability to apply their knowledge in a structured and in-depth manner.

Depending on the learning outcomes or educational objectives, some courses may combine both assessment methods. These approaches ensure fair, diverse, and appropriate assessment tailored to the nature of the course, while allowing students to develop methodological skills, rigor, and independence throughout their academic journey.

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Special Features

Students with disabilities, young entrepreneurs, and elite athletes can receive personalized support.

This may take the form of academic accommodations, pedagogical adjustments, or specific rights, in order to enable students to best balance their personal or professional commitments with their university studies. Depending on the situation, these measures may include an adapted class schedule, modified assessment procedures, attendance accommodations, individualized support, or dedicated support services.

https://economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/scolarite/

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Internships, supervised projects

Internship

Possible

Duration of the internship

A maximum of 924 hours, or 6 months

Internship Abroad

Possible

An internship offers a true immersion in the professional world, allowing students to apply the knowledge they’ve gained in class, learn how organizations operate, and compare theory with practice. To get the most out of it, thorough preparation is essential: learn about the host organization, set your goals, draw on what you’ve learned, and prepare for professional demands.

All Master's programs offer the opportunity to complete an internship.

In the first year of the master's program, an internship is possible but optional. It must be related to the program.

The internship may begin at the end of the second-semester exams or take place during university breaks. In any case, it must end no later than August 31, regardless of whether the student is enrolled in a Bachelor’s program, a first-year Master’s program, or a University Diploma program.

In the second year of the Master's program, the internship is required

The start date is set in consultation with the academic advisor, generally between February and March, to align with the academic calendar and the requirements for the final thesis. Regardless of the period chosen, the internship mustend no later than September 30.

economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/carriere/partir-en-stage/

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Program

The program lasts 2 years, or 4 semesters

120 ECTS

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  • Theoretical Econometrics

    5 credits
  • Market Finance

    4 credits
  • Monetary and Financial Macroeconomics

    3 credits
  • Forecasting Methods

    5 credits
  • Algorithms and Programming

    3 credits
  • Data Mining and Big Data

  • Data Warehouse

  • Language Selection List

    • Choose one of the following two options:

      • Financial English 1

        2 credits
      • Spanish 1

  • The Economics of Bancassurance

    3 credits
  • Introduction to Stochastic Calculus

    4 credits
  • Corporate Finance

    4 credits
  • Introduction to SAS / Excel VBA

    2 credits
  • Actuarial Models in Excel VBA

    3 credits
  • Time Series Econometrics

    5 credits
  • Technical Analysis

    2 credits
  • Applied Econometrics Project

    5 credits
  • Actuarial Techniques

    3 credits
  • Choose one of the following two options:

    • Financial English 2

      2 credits
    • Spanish 2

      2 credits
  • Optional

    • Optional UM Student Engagement

  • Financial Markets and Financial Theory

    2 credits
  • Professional Development Conferences

  • Trading Algorithm

    1 credit
  • Portfolio Management Using R

    1 credit
  • Non-Life Actuarial Science

    3 credits
  • Financial Analysis (Bank of France)

    1 credit
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Python

    0.5 credits
  • Primary stock market: initial public offering

    0.5 credits
  • Stochastic Calculus

    2 credits
  • Financial English

    1 credit
  • Enterprise Risk Management

    1 credit
  • Exploratory Statistics (SAS)

    1 credit
  • Computer Skills (VBA)

    1 credit
  • Modeling Emerging Risks

    2.5 credits
  • Life Insurance Actuarial Science

    2.5 credits
  • Cybersecurity and Cryptography

    1 credit
  • Applied Econometrics in Finance

    2 credits
  • Econometrics of Financial Markets

    2 credits
  • Financial Big Data

    1 credit
  • FinTechs, Blockchain, and Cryptocurrencies

    1 credit
  • Numerical Methods in Actuarial Science "VBA"

    2 credits
  • Banking and Insurance Regulations

    1 credit
  • CHOICE 1

    30 credits
    • Choose 1 or 2 out of 2

      • Research thesis as part of a research track

        30 credits
      • 3- to 6-month internship

        30 credits
  • Introductory Research Seminars

Admission

Admission Requirements

  • For the Master 1 program: Applicants must hold or be in the process of earninga bachelor’s degree (or equivalent, bac+3) in economics or a related field, recognized in France or Europe.
  • For the Master 2 program: Applicants must have completed at least 4 years of higher education (Bac +4 / 240 ECTS) in fields related to economics or similar disciplines. A strong academic record and, in some cases, professional experience are highly valued.

economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/candidatures/

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Registration Procedures

First year of the master's program

To apply for admission to the first year of the Master's program, you must submit your application through theMon Master platform.

Second year of the master's program

To gain admission to the second year of the master's program based on academic equivalence, the ecandidat application process is required.

economie.edu.umontpellier.fr/candidatures/candidatures-et-admissions/

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Target Audience

Students from the Montpellier Academy, the Occitanie region, France, and abroad

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Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are set each year by the Ministry of Higher Education. They are accompanied by the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC). Students receiving scholarships are exempt from paying these fees.

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Capacity

Recommended Prerequisites

A strong background inmicroeconomics, macroeconomics, mathematics, statistics, and econometrics is essential. Depending on the intended career path, certain course options may be particularly valuable.

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And then

Continuing Education

Master’s degree graduates can continue their studies, notably bypursuing a Ph.D. in economics, either in France or abroad, particularly those interested in research or higher education. Additional specialized programs (university degrees) may also be considered depending on one’s career goals.

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Employment Placement

The target positions are primarily: actuarial analyst, statistical analyst, data scientist, statistician, portfolio monitoring manager, technical analysis and management specialist, reinsurance underwriter (life and health insurance), risk manager, etc.

The relevant professional sectors are “Banking and Insurance, Finance, Pension Plans, or Healthcare.”

Customer service departments require a wide range of skills (non-exhaustive list): statistics, pricing and statistics division, actuarial science, forecasting, research coordination, management control, data analysis, research and development, business intelligence, research department, business analytics, development department, risk management, quality assurance, social services, marketing research and monitoring, prevention services, credit and risk management, development and organization, health benefits services, management and development, public health.  

Graduates can also pursue careers in other fields related to statistics, particularly throughout the service sector and even in the industrial sector (marketing and sales).

The alignment between the training program and employer demand results in a particularly high rate of employment within a very short period of time. The quality of the jobs offered to students upon completion of their training (permanent contracts, management positions) also attests to this.

https://osipe.edu.umontpellier.fr/masters/ 

 

 

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