Help: Cass (Actuarial Science) or Warwick (MORSE)?

[alanloy]

Originally Posted by Nicholasng925

Hello everyone! I've gotten offers from 3 UK universities and now in dilemma of choosing a university as my FIRM! I've got offers from Cass Business School (Actuarial Science), Heriot-Watt University (Actuarial Science) and the University of Warwick (MMORSE). I will make Heriot-Watt as my insurance since it has the lowest requirement of all (AAB).

My major concern here would be my firm university. Just a little bit of my background here, I'm a BNM scholar who is doing A-Levels now at Taylor's, and I'm already in my last semester. I'm required to choose my firm and insurance universities and now I'm in dilemma of choosing a university as my firm.

My personal preference inclined towards Cass Business School, as it is one of the top 3 business schools in the UK, and is obviously one of the top universities offerring Actuarial Science degree in the UK (besides Heriot-Watt). Actuarial Science degree in Cass will grant me maximum number of 8 papers exemption for the series of actuarial professional papers, from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries UK (out of 15 in total).

My another choice for Firm would be the University of Warwick. Although I've an offer for MMORSE (stands for (M)Maths, Operational Research, Statistics, and Economics), I would not be able to pursue it since it's a 4-year degree and Bank only allows their scholars to go for 3-year degree program. But I'd be able to change 4-year MMORSE to 3-year MORSE, so it's not a problem. MMORSE will be able to grant me 7 papers exemption, while MORSE only maximum number of 3 papers exemption.

If I were to choose between Cass and MMORSE, I would choose MMORSE since MMORSE integrated master degree is much broader than a typical Actuarial Science degree. It comprises of lots of very interesting optional modules such as Number Theory, Stars and Galaxies, and Quantum Mechanics, just to give a few examples. Whereas for Actuarial Science degree, it provides a very specific course structure to mould students towards the actuarial career.

Besides Actuarial Science, personally I'm interested in financial market too. I'm interested in trading and quantitative finance cause I found them equally interesting recently. I even planned to pursue Master in Financial Engineering/Quantitative Finance/Mathematical Finance after passing my actuarial professional papers. I wish to become an actuary, quant, financial mathematician, trader and hedge fund manager at the same time. I know it sounds very ambitious but this is not impossible.

Should I choose Warwick, it would be very easy for me to find job since Warwick is one of the top 6 universities in the UK and employers consistently hire graduates from these universities. But job prospect is not really an issue here since I'm bonded to Bank Negara upon graduation. Experience would have outweighed the significance of quality of undergraduate degree should I decided to find job elsewhere after a few years serving the Bank.

Since MORSE would only entitle me for 3 papers exemption, would it be worth it for me to pursue? It's either more of optional modules from MORSE(therefore more interesting, and harder at the same time), or specific Actuarial Science degree from Cass and gain more exemptions from it. Both are equally hectic, but I suppose MORSE is a bit harder due to their insanely heavy workload. Actuarial Science from Cass is not easy neither since they have lots of assignments and research.

So, Warwick or Cass?

HI-5, I'm also a Bank scholar (which means I'm your senior). My 1st question to you is WHY not LSE? haha.. Btw, I heard the news saying that they start forbidding scholars to choose LSE as they want the so-called "diversification"..

Back to your question, I will recommend you Cass as it's good in Actuarial Science. Having said that, Warwick is not bad either.

[Nicholasng925]

Originally Posted by alanloy

HI-5, I'm also a Bank scholar (which means I'm your senior). My 1st question to you is WHY not LSE? haha.. Btw, I heard the news saying that they start forbidding scholars to choose LSE as they want the so-called "diversification"..

Back to your question, I will recommend you Cass as it's good in Actuarial Science. Having said that, Warwick is not bad either.

Hello Alan! Sorry for the late reply cause I'm recently quite busy preparing for A2 Finals starting next Monday! Anyway, my answer to your first question: LSE is not even in my consideration as their actuarial degree programme is relatively new compared to Cass. Heard quite a number of negative feedbacks from students there so yeah. Many students went for LSE solely due to its overrated brand name.

Yeah maybe. Perhaps there were too many scholars in LSE and another possibility could be LSE's ranking is dropping. I don't know, just a wild guess.

Haha yeap! I've set my priority right, and firmed Cass! So now I just need to meet the requirement! Thanks anyway!

[alanloy]

Originally Posted by Nicholasng925

Hello Alan! Sorry for the late reply cause I'm recently quite busy preparing for A2 Finals starting next Monday! Anyway, my answer to your first question: LSE is not even in my consideration as their actuarial degree programme is relatively new compared to Cass. Heard quite a number of negative feedbacks from students there so yeah. Many students went for LSE solely due to its overrated brand name.

Yeah maybe. Perhaps there were too many scholars in LSE and another possibility could be LSE's ranking is dropping. I don't know, just a wild guess.

Haha yeap! I've set my priority right, and firmed Cass! So now I just need to meet the requirement! Thanks anyway!

I see. That's your choice anyway. I admit that LSE is not good at Acturial Science, really. You have made a right choice.

But as a current student at LSE, I have to say, it's really not overrated. LSE is actually famous for its Law, Economics, Politics and now Acc & Fin (ranked the 1st for 2013, beating Warwick!).

And, by the way, its ranking is not dropping but rising instead. It is ranked 2nd for both the complete university guide and the guardian uni guide for 2013, with cambridge the 1st for the former and oxford the latter.

Oh ya, i know it might be a little late. Nevertheless, GOOD LUCK to your A2 exam

[Nicholasng925]

Originally Posted by alanloy

I see. That's your choice anyway. I admit that LSE is not good at Acturial Science, really. You have made a right choice.

But as a current student at LSE, I have to say, it's really not overrated. LSE is actually famous for its Law, Economics, Politics and now Acc & Fin (ranked the 1st for 2013, beating Warwick!).

And, by the way, its ranking is not dropping but rising instead. It is ranked 2nd for both the complete university guide and the guardian uni guide for 2013, with cambridge the 1st for the former and oxford the latter.

Oh ya, i know it might be a little late. Nevertheless, GOOD LUCK to your A2 exam

Haha what I meant for LSE being overrated was applicable only for Actuarial Science course. I know LSE is definitely very good for Economics, Accounting & Finance and Law. Not so sure about Politics until you mentioned it.

Nope, I still have one more subject to go! Economics on this coming Friday and the Friday after this. So you're just on time! Thanks by the way! Hope to see you soon in this coming September!