Basic Statistics for Actuaries
Understand statistics. Assess insurance risks with confidence.
University certificate course for actuarial and insurance practice.
What is it about?
From insurance data to meaningful risk insights
Insurance data are an essential basis for assessing risks – as long as they are analysed and interpreted with suitable statistical methods. The certificate course „Basic Statistics for Actuaries“ covers core methods of probability theory and inferential statistics and shows how they are applied in insurance practice.
Working with insurance examples, participants analyse data, build probability models and apply statistical estimation methods. Applications are demonstrated in Excel and R, among other tools.
Why this certificate course?
Statistics that goes beyond theory and addresses typical questions from insurance and actuarial practice.
Insurance practice as a starting point
Claim frequencies, claim amounts, insurance portfolios and biometric data provide the context in which statistical methods are applied.
Understand and apply methods
Participants learn to select appropriate models, interpret results and critically assess the validity of statistical analyses.
Compact and easy to combine
Two consecutive on-site days followed by online sessions combine intensive learning with flexible scheduling.
Who is this certificate course for?
The certificate course is designed for people preparing for actuarial roles as part of their education or professional training, and for professionals with a suitable mathematical background from insurance companies, banks, supervisory authorities and other organisations in the insurance sector.
What to expect
From statistical foundations to actuarial applications
01
Data analysis and probability models
Descriptive statistics and visualisation · Probability theory and random variables · Common distributions · Aggregate claims models
02
Estimating, testing, and regression models
Sampling and parameter estimation · Confidence intervals and hypothesis testing · Fitting and diagnostics of linear regression models
03
Simulation and bayesian statistics
Monte Carlo simulation · Bootstrap and resampling · Bayesian estimation · Credibility models
04
Applications in life and actuarial mathematics
Survival distributions and transition intensities · Kaplan–Meier and Nelson–Aalen estimators · Smoothing and testing of mortality rates (graduation)
What you will be able to do after the certificate course
Describe and visualise insurance data sets and interpret the findings.
Select basic probability and loss models and apply them to suitable problems.
Understand and apply basic methods of Bayesian statistics, survival analysis and graduation.
Estimate parameters, determine confidence intervals and test statistical hypotheses.
Run simulations and fit simple regression models.
How the certificate course is structured
The certificate course combines two on-site days with seven online sessions, including a Q&A session. The written examination takes place on a separate date.
Registration requirements
To register, you must have completed, or be about to complete, a Master’s degree programme in mathematics or a comparable subject. Alternatively, university-level knowledge of linear algebra, analysis and probability theory is required.
Certificate
Participants who pass the written examination receive a certificate from the University of Klagenfurt listing the academic achievements and ECTS credits earned. Participants who attend the certificate course without taking the examination receive a certificate of attendance without ECTS credits.
Lecturer
Ao. Univ.-Prof. i.R. Mag. Dr. Marcus Hudec · Data Technology Betriebsberatungs GmbH & Co KG
Dates and registration
On campus at the University of Klagenfurt
Friday 5 and Saturday 6 March 2027 · 09:00–14:30
Online sessions
15, 16 and 31 March · 1 and 2 April · 10 and 11 May 2027 · 3:30–5:00 p.m.
Written exam
Tuesday 25 May 2027 · 3:30–5:00 p.m.