Overview
If you’d like to qualify for in-demand quantitative roles in the insurance and financial industry, the Common Entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics programme (CAFM) might be for you. It’s especially ideal if you’d like the flexibility to explore different areas of maths before choosing how you’ll specialise.
After this two-year course, you choose whether to spend the next two years studying to get a degree in Actuarial Mathematics (ACM) or in Financial Mathematics (FIM). The modules taken in CAFM are the same as in years 1 and 2 of its twin programme Actuarial Mathematics (ACM), to which you can apply directly through the CAO. Therefore, CAFM offers an alternative route into ACM. Entry into FIM, on the other hand, is guaranteed and exclusive through CAFM.
Deep theory and expert skills
You’ll learn the fundamental mathematical principles that underpin the state-of-the-art actuarial and financial models you’ll study in later years, along with computer programming, data analysis, economics and accounting. You’ll also gain highly valuable general analytic skills, allowing you to understand and analyse matters in a systematic way, making you an ideal problem-solver.
Whichever path you choose after the first two years, you’ll do an eight-month paid internship in your third year. This could be in a large insurance company, an actuarial consultancy, an investment bank or a trading house. Once you graduate, you’ll be qualified to work as an actuary, in financial services or in other roles, such as data scientist.
DCU People
DCU was the only college offering entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics when Aisling Crean-Lynch was unsure if “the BSc in Actuarial Mathematics would be a good fit for me.”
Read more about Aisling Crean Lynch
My research interest lies in differential equations.
Read more about John Appleby
The common entry to Actuarial and Financial Maths course at DCU proved worthwhile and memorable.
Read more about Darragh Pidgeon
After starting at DCU through the Common Entry into Actuarial and Financial Mathematics (CAFM) because I wasn’t entirely sure which area of maths I wanted to study for my degree, I chose to study a
Read more about Olivia Mcloughlin
Careers & Further Options
Careers
For further information on the various professional opportunities review the entry for the BSc in Actuarial Mathematics or the BSc in Financial Mathematics.
DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.
Entry Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
Minimum of H3 in Mathematics
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply
GCE A Level B Mathematics
Please visit our Admissions webpage for details on course requirements or how to apply to DCU.
Please visit our QQI FET webpage for details on DCU courses, open days, campus tours or school visits.
To apply to DCU, please visit www.cao.ie.
Mature entry is a competitive process. Applicants must demonstrate:
- a genuine interest in the programme(s) they are applying for
- academic experience and competency in their chosen field of study
- an ability to engage and succeed on the programme
All applicants must complete a statement of interest to be considered for the mature application route.
For further guidance on the mature application process please see the CAO Website
No Entry Path
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.
Course Structure
The Common Entry structure allows you to make an informed decision about which stream to specialise in after first studying fundamental courses such as analysis, algebra and probability, together with computing and statistics.
At the end of Year Two, students on this Common Entry programme enter one of two courses—there are a limited number of places in the third year of the BSc in Actuarial Mathematics, with entry based on a student’s performance in Years One and Two.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
EU School Leavers/FETAC Level 5 Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February or 1st May
To apply for this programme:
Candidates should apply directly here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
Please provide
- Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation, if applicable.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis up to 1st July. All Non-EU candidates are advised to apply early, as places are limited.
Apply through the CAO by 1st February.
No entry path.
Please see Application Procedures or E-mail ugadmissions@dcu.ie.
Candidates presenting EU qualifications are required to apply through the CAO can apply online at www.cao.ie
Candidates presenting non-EU qualifications are required to apply directly here.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
What is an actuary?
Actuaries work with other people using mathematics (and computing) to solve problems related to financial risk. Very often they work in insurance companies, working on such things as calculating insurance payments of different kinds, pensions and financial risk management - helping individuals and companies to plan for their financial future. They earn very good salaries (starting at c. €35K, with a significant jump when they complete their professional qualifications), and work in a stimulating and challenging environment that has lots of different career opportunities.
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
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