Qualify and learn
Providing actuaries with the learning and skills to prosper professionally
Designed to support our members in their careers, now and into the future, we offer learning and development opportunities from student to Associate and Fellow, and through into lifelong learning.
Strengthening foundations
In our 2026-29 strategy, we have committed to delivering learning and assessment excellence
We are developing a forward-looking curriculum and inclusive assessment model supporting a lifelong learning experience that equips actuaries, wherever they are, for the future.
We know that there have been significant challenges in our recent exam delivery. Despite technology issues, we were able to pivot quickly to an in-person, invigilated system which successfully delivered over 27,000 exams to candidates around the world in the April and September sessions.
Our post-exam surveys have provided valuable feedback and help us to understand how to best support candidates on the journey to qualification. As a result, the Formulae and Tables book is now on the online exam platform to ensure all candidates have equitable access.
We have provided new exam policy guidance to help candidates comply more easily with our assessment regulations. And there is now a new, easier-to-navigate format for the Examinations Handbook in the form of Mini Guides, along with updated Examinations guidelines.
Last year, we were focused on putting in place the building blocks to ensure that our learning and assessment offer remains relevant. Our goal is to provide members with the necessary tools and capabilities to prosper professionally and adapt effectively to a constantly changing environment and its demands.
By the end of the three-year strategy period, we will have delivered a new professional development ecosystem, a refreshed curriculum, a modern assessment model and delivery platform, and improved learning support for student members. As the programme develops, we will be consulting with and seeking feedback from a wide range of members, employers, universities and regulators to ensure that we are meeting current and future needs.
Mehak Dayal Mathur, IFoA Student Ambassador, Final-Year BSc Actuarial Science Student
When I first started my actuarial journey, I was driven by curiosity and a willingness to challenge myself. Over time, that curiosity turned into a deeper commitment as I experienced both the demands and rewards of the field. The process has taught me discipline, patience, and the importance of staying motivated even when the path feels uncertain.
Singh Niraj Kumar, IFoA student, University of Hong Kong
I thought actuarial science was all about numbers, but it’s really taught me patience, persistence, and how to trust the process. Especially during exam season, when the odds can feel a little statistically unfriendly, but you remind yourself it’s all part of a demanding path that pays off in the long run.
Chenxue Wang, Postgraduate student of Insurance, University of International Business and Economics, 2025
During my undergraduate study, I have gained six Core Principles exemptions via the university courses accredited by the IFoA and have acquired a great deal of professional knowledge and skillsets towards my actuarial qualification. The IFoA’s qualification framework has been tremendously beneficial to me. I am profoundly grateful to my university and the IFoA for providing us with such valuable opportunities.
Celebrating success
Congratulations to our newly qualified Fellows and Associates
This year 865 members were awarded Chartered Fellowship and 748 reached Chartered Associateship
Qualifying as a chartered actuary is an enormous milestone. The journey to qualification is a commitment which takes several years of hard work, dedication to studying, and undertaking rigorous examinations.
This year 865 members were awarded Chartered Fellowship and 748 reached Chartered Associateship.
We celebrated this key milestone at new qualifier events around the globe. In Singapore, London, Malaysia, Riyadh, and New Delhi, IFoA members were joined by family and friends along with then-President Elect Paul Sweeting, then-President Kartina Tahir Thomson, and CEO Paul Lewis.
To recognise their achievement, the names of all qualifiers are included in a special pull-out section of The Actuary magazine, as well as a dedicated page on our website.
New Qualifiers Staple Inn 2025
Mr Abdul-Rehman Javad FIA C.Act, Chief Actuarial Officer, Gulf Insurance Group (GIG), Saudi Arabia
Qualifying as a Fellow equips you with far more than technical skills; it builds the strategic framework required for top-tier executive leadership. I rely on this foundation to bridge the gap between complex risk and overarching business strategy, steering organisations toward sustainable, profitable growth.
Rahim Gowani FIA, Senior Manager Actuarial Services, BADRI Management Consultancy
Qualifying wasn’t just the end of exams, but the beginning of a new chapter — one that comes with both privilege and responsibility. The journey taught me resilience, discipline and curiosity, along with a mindset that will stay with me throughout my career. Becoming an actuary is more than a credential; it has given me the confidence to challenge assumptions, question norms, create value, and embrace a wide range of possibilities.
Continuing professional development which supports members in their careers
Actuarial science and practice are continually evolving. While qualifying as an actuary is a key milestone in the learning journey, members remain keen to keep their skills and knowledge current and up to date. This gives them greater choice and opportunity as their career progresses. We have a wide range of resources, available through events and our Virtual Learning Environment, designed to help members fulfill their CPD requirements. We also encourage further learning through both the IFoA and other organisations, in the areas that interest them most, as long as they have a clear learning outcome.
In 2025, we launched the ‘How to with R’ course. This initially grew from an employer request to support student members with their understanding of R. It is now available to all members who can join the course at their level of understanding and takes you from installing R through to using R to tackle complex data challenges.
Matthew Byrne FIA, Member of AI & Emerging Technologies Practice Board
I wish this course had been available when I was teaching myself how to use R from books and blog posts. Even though I saw myself as a competent R user already, I learned a lot from this course. The course content is tailored perfectly to typical actuarial use cases and presents just enough of the R core language to give you confidence in using it properly. The facilitator is clearly very knowledgeable and his presentation style is engaging and easy to follow. The bitesize content makes it easy to consume in your free time.
IFoA conferences and events
The member-led conference committees secured high-profile speakers and created rich agendas featuring presentations, panel-led discussions and networking opportunities throughout 2025-2026. These allowed attendees to hear from industry experts, learn best practice and have open discussions about the topics having the biggest impact on the actuarial profession.
After the success of the inaugural Middle East conference in 2024, we made a return to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in September 2025. The agenda focused on recent developments influencing the actuarial profession in the region, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
With the financial sector across the Middle East experiencing tremendous growth, and the unique actuarial skillset in high demand, attendees left the event more aware of the practice, thinking and opportunities available to them in the region.
A strong year for IFoA’s flagship conferences and international events
At the India conference in New Delhi, the Cabinet Secretary of India gave the keynote speech focused on actuarial thinking in government budgeting and social programmes. The conference theme – ‘Weaving the actuarial tapestry’ – explored how actuaries are working together across sectors and disciplines to solve complex challenges and deliver long-term value.
At our UK conferences, GIRO saw another bumper year with 1,190 attendees. Dame Katherine Grainger, Britain’s most decorated female Olympian, spoke about resilience, sharing her journey from Olympic disappointment to gold at London 2012.
Life, which had 860 attendees and 130 expert speakers, saw former British championship rally driver and keynote speaker Penny Mallory delivering an insightful session about mental toughness.
The student showcase was one of the highlights of the Asia conference, with around 60 students having the opportunity to speak with senior actuarial leaders during an interactive panel. They shared practical advice for students aspiring to build impactful careers in actuarial science and beyond, fostering the next generation of actuaries.
Surabhi Handa FIA C.Act, FIAI, Senior Manager, M&G Global Services
I was delighted to be a speaker at the IFoA India Conference 2025 and contribute to discussions on topics that are often less explored within the profession. The conference provided a valuable platform for both emerging and experienced actuaries to share ideas, perspectives and areas of interest across diverse fields. The event was very well organised, with logistics managed smoothly to cater to a wide audience, making it a valuable opportunity for learning, dialogue and connection within the actuarial community.
Patrick Cheah FIA C.Act, Asia Conference Chair
It was a great privilege to be the Chair of the IFoA Asia Conference 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur. The conference was a huge success with a great turnout, covering a wide range of topics and also allowing skilled professionals to share their knowledge and view points on the current issues faced by the profession. I would like to also mention that we had great success allowing university students to join the conference and gain insightful knowledge on what the actuarial role is all about.
Sessional meetings
A focus on more in-person sessional events
Research Sessional Meetings are considered the flagship research events of the IFoA. Each meeting, run by volunteers, presents new, evidence-based research for IFoA members, supported by a written paper published in advance. These events enhance the IFoA’s role as a learned society and contribute to its objective of advancing actuarial science by giving actuaries at all career stages the opportunity to share knowledge with their peers, and allow their peers to critique their work.
Over the past year the IFoA has focused on hosting more in-person sessional research meetings. Topics so far include: biodiversity in climate scenarios, quantum internal models and data science techniques in health and care.
Sessional meeting at Staple Inn
Eleanor Jeffrey FFA
Sessional meetings are an important form of CPD as they provide dedicated time for structured learning, professional reflection and informed discussion that is difficult to replicate through self study. Attending in person added significant value through networking and shared learning with peers, enabling the exchange of perspectives and practical insights. I would strongly recommend attending future in person sessional meetings, as they offer clear benefits for professional development, technical confidence and engagement with the wider profession.
Our global university connections
We extended our recognition of university actuarial education worldwide
The IFoA’s accreditation of universities continues to play an important role in supporting high-quality actuarial education globally. Our rigorous accreditation process provides assurance that students on accredited programmes have achieved learning outcomes broadly equivalent to those assessed through IFoA examinations.
At the same time, accreditation reinforces the quality and credibility of university programmes, supports student recruitment, and enables eligible students to gain exemptions from IFoA examinations.
During 2025–2026, we reaccredited 38 universities across our global network: 20 in the UK and Ireland and 18 overseas. This activity involved the renewal of accreditation for 54 degree programmes, comprising 40 undergraduate and 14 postgraduate programmes.
We extended our existing agreement with Heriot-Watt University to include the BSc Data Science delivered at its Dubai campus. We also reviewed and approved new accreditation-by-subject agreements with Malaysia's Sunway University and Monash University Malaysia.
Professor Ganeshsree Selvachandran, Programme Director, Bachelor in Actuarial Analytics, Monash University Malaysia
We are honoured to have our Bachelor in Actuarial Analytics programme be awarded full accreditation by the IFoA. This recognition is a strong testament to the academic rigour and quality of our programme, and it brings immense benefits to our students by supporting both their professional and academic journeys.
Chan Lay Guat, Head - Department of Actuarial Science and Risk, School of Mathematical Sciences, Sunway University
We are pleased to have received accreditation from the IFoA for our MSc program. The program continues to benefit students from Malaysia and beyond, particularly those seeking to transition into diverse and rewarding career paths.
