Frequently Asked Questions

What does an actuary do?

Pure actuarial work typically involves forecasting future financial events, especially when the amount of a future payment, or its timing, is uncertain. It's often really challenging, with a wide range of issues to be considered, including business operational factors, potential changes to legislation, and long-term demographic trends. Actuaries therefore have to be highly technical and able to perform complicated mathematics.

What does an actuarial consultant do?

Hymans Robertson actuarial consultants possess all the number-crunching technical capabilities of actuaries, but they're also innovative thinkers, creative solution-finders and effective communicators.This combination of skills allows our consultants to work in partnership with our diverse range of clients, providing tailored advice and solving real-world financial and business problems.

Why choose Hymans Robertson?

With a wide range of clients and outstanding reputation, Hymans Robertson can offer rapid career progression with the freedom to pursue the areas of business that suit you. We also offer opportunities for secondment to other parts of the firm, including our investment practice and externally to our clients.

With a wide range of clients and outstanding reputation, Hymans Robertson can offer rapid career progression with the freedom to pursue the areas of business that suit you. We recruit graduate actuarial trainees in to both our actuarial and investment practices and also offer opportunities for secondment to other parts of the firm and externally to our clients.

What other benefits are on offer?

In addition to a highly competitive salary and our profit share scheme, Hymans Robertson also offers a flexible benefits scheme which includes pension, private healthcare and the ability to trade holiday time.

What qualifications do I need?

At least a 2.1 Honours Degree in a discipline that provides for a solid foundation in Mathematics, and strong A-Level, 'Higher' or equivalent results, including a Grade A in Mathematics.

Do you have an intern programme?

Yes, we can offer student internships of between 8 and 12 weeks that typically run from June to August. You'll have the opportunity to work alongside some of the most talented consultants within the field and get some fantastic, hands-on experience.

How do I apply?

Complete an application and attach your CV. If you're successful, we'll get straight back to you with information about an interview.

What is the application process?

Once we've received your application, we'll review it as quickly as we can and let you know the outcome.

Promising candidates will be invited to participate in an interview. Our offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh do this face-to-face, while our offices in Birmingham and London do it over the phone.

Successful candidates will then be invited to attend one of our assessment days, which are typically held in December. These all-day events include group exercises, aptitude and psychometric assessments, and face-to-face assessments with representatives from our Actuarial and Investment practices and our Human Resources team.

We occasionally invite candidates to a further interview before deciding whether to make an employment offer.

The whole process normally takes about eight weeks.

Where are your offices based?

We have smart, modern offices in Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Are there any graduate programmes for non-actuarial consultants?

If you are interested in joining us - but not as an actuarial consultant - please attach your CV to a covering e-mail and send it to: recruitment@hymans.co.uk.

How do I know if my degree discipline is relevant to actuarial consultancy?

Provided you have achieved an A-grade in mathematics at A-Level, 'Higher' or equivalent, you might well have the right aptitude, even if your degree discipline did not have a foundation in Maths. Some subjects, such as economics, actually provide a highly useful grounding for the actuarial exams.