Studying at a Russell Group institution like QMUL has definitely met my expectations by providing the high-level academic rigor I was looking for. The transition from Dubai to London was a significant move, but the depth of the Actuarial Science curriculum here is exactly why I chose the UK. Because this course is so niche and not widely offered at universities globally, I’ve appreciated how specialized the modules are. Instead of a general finance degree, I’m getting deep into the specific intersection of mathematics, statistics, and risk management that the UK is famous for. The professional alignment—like the path toward IFoA exemptions—adds a layer of practical value that is hard to find elsewhere. Could me improved if it was easier to make friends but thats not the universities issue.

While studying at a Russell Group institution like QMUL, my experience has been a mix of high-level academic rigor and the practical realities of a niche, specialized degree. The in-class delivery of the Actuarial Science curriculum has generally met my expectations, particularly in foundational modules like statistics, where the teaching is both clear and engaging. However, the experience across other modules can be inconsistent; while some lecturers are experts in their field, their delivery can occasionally feel disorganized or disconnected from the core syllabus. Despite these occasional gaps in teaching consistency, the value of studying a course that is so rarely offered globally remains clear, as it provides a focused technical environment that is difficult to replicate outside of the UK’s leading research universities.

Living in the university's halls has been a standout part of the transition from Dubai to London, particularly because of the modern infrastructure of my building. What I like most is the spacious, well-designed kitchen, which makes meal prepping much easier and serves as a great social hub for the flat. However, the experience hasn't been without its drawbacks; despite the building being new, I've dealt with silverfish in the bathroom, which is a frustrating downside to an otherwise high-standard living space. Balancing the comfort of a contemporary room with these recurring maintenance issues is the main challenge of living on campus.

Nicer toilets and study areas

Not much on campus lecture time/ student teacher one on one time. A lot of work to be done outside of classroom (maybe too much!)

Our kitchen hob/ oven/ electricity was faulty at least once a week and we had many nights with no electricity in kitchen which took very long to be sorted out. It was amazing to have a bath in my bathroom. Contact with security and halls management could’ve been much better