Student Sharing

"I am most grateful that HKU gave me the freedom to explore my path with steady support. The actuarial science programme’s structured curriculum and approachable faculty let me shape parts of my studies and receive timely guidance. The mentorship programme and internships arranged through the department helped me turn coursework into practice and understand how actuarial concepts work in business settings. Read more...

"My aspiration to become an actuary began in high school, inspired by the profession's diverse career opportunities and the prospect of becoming a global citizen. During my search for universities, I found that HKU was one of the very few universities that was given the highest recognition globally by both SOA and IFoA. Receiving a full tuition scholarship made my dream into reality. Read more...

"Studying this program was one of the best choices that I have ever made. I gained the skills needed to pass professional exams and, more importantly, the opportunity to gain experience via projects and internships. All these were proved essential during my postgraduate studies and substantially helped lay the groundwork for my career. Read more...

"Studying Actuarial Science at HKU has been an incredibly rewarding journey. The Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science (SAAS) offered a wealth of opportunities and resources that supported my academic and professional growth. The program equipped me with strong analytical skills and a solid technical foundation essential for actuarial exam progression. Read more...

"This program helped me build a solid foundation for my actuarial career. The courses are closely aligned with the professional exam syllabi, making the transition from university learning to exam preparation smooth. Many of my classmates had already passed several professional exams by the time we graduated, which gave us a real advantage in the job market. Read more...

"My 4 years spent in the Bsc(Actuarial Science) Programme were immensely rewarding and formative. During that time, I was given ample opportunities to develop and grow in various aspects. Academically, HKU's competitive and intellectually stimulating courses allowed me to develop the necessary skills required for an actuary, and provided me with the confidence and knowledge to tackle the numerous professional exams required by our profession. Read more...

“The actuarial science program in HKU offered me nearly everything I can think of that is necessary and helpful for one to develop and pursue the profession of actuaries – courses closely tied to exam syllabi of actuarial associations, professional skill training sessions, collaboration with actuarial associations and market players, resources for job opportunities, etc. Through the 4-year study and experience, what I have amassed is not merely the theoretical actuarial knowledge and practical working experience, but the connection to the wider actuarial market and the passion to carry on the further pursuit of the actuarial profession.”

"I am proud to be a graduate from the HKU Actuarial Science program. The curriculum provides rigorous training not only in technical actuarial skills but also in soft skills. The actuarial courses are also designed to be closely connected to the industry and give students a head start in obtaining professional recognition, such as from the Society of Actuaries. Read more...

"Being recognized by the Society of Actuaries, the programme is arguably the most prestigious actuarial programme offered in Asia. From what I have learnt and experienced throughout the 4 years of study, it is no exaggeration. It has extensive connections with business institutions from various fields for potential job opportunities. Most students graduate with at least an internship experience and several passed actuarial exams, which give us the edge in job applications and career progression. The programme has equipped me with the essential analytical skills and a wide exposure in actuarial, economic, financial and risk management fields to kickstart my career. The comprehensiveness and thoroughness are unmatched by other programmes in related fields. I am grateful for everything learnt here."

"Looking back, this program was one of the best decisions I made. It gave me the structure and support I needed to become an actuary. It equips me the technical skills and professional mindset needed in the actuarial field. The professors were not only knowledgeable but also invested in our success — offering guidance on academic challenges, career decisions, and even personal research interests beyond the classroom. I also appreciated the flexibility to take on internships and go on exchanges, which really enriched my experience. Read more...

"I am currently a Senior Analyst and Portfolio Manager at HSBC Asset Management, where I oversee portfolios and analyze stocks in the Greater China equity market. After graduating from the HKU’s Actuarial Science program in 2010, I realized my true passion lay in banking and finance—a field that operates at the forefront of our rapidly evolving world. Consequently, I pursued an MSc in Economics at the London School of Economics, funded by the British Chevening Scholarship, immediately following my HKU graduation. Read more...

"I am excited to be part of the HKU’s BStat in Statistical Decision Sciences first cohort that perfectly combines my passion for data science with my career aspirations. I chose this program because of its professional core in Decision Analytics, which lies at the heart of modern data science. I'm absolutely fascinated by how data can lead to pragmatic decisions in businesses and technology. I believe this specialization will give me the analytical skills and technical knowledge I need to become a successful data scientist in the future. Read more...

"As a proud member of the first cohort of HKU’s Bachelor of Statistics in Statistical Decision Sciences, I am thrilled to be part of this pioneering programme. I chose it because I have always been fascinated by how data reveals insights for better decision-making. The curriculum’s three professional cores (Decision Analytics, Risk Management, and Statistics) immediately appealed to me. Read more...

"During my time in Form 6, I attended a university visit to HKU. During the session, a lecturer presented several probability questions that arouse my interest. These questions were like what I was learning in M1, my favourite subject in secondary school, which inspired me to choose the BStat programme. Read more...

“Over the four years growing with SAAS, I have learned an incredible amount both academically and professionally. Professors are kind and willing to help, not just in the classroom. A fulfilling research journey awaits if you actively approach them, and their valuable advice will guide you to the right path. Career advising and professional engagement are among the highlights as well. There is a wide array of internship opportunities along with company visits and corporate mentorship, thanks to the department’s network. Most importantly, the program offers the flexibility to explore what fits you the most. I’m grateful to have spent a summer researching quantitative trading and another working in data analytics. The experiences brought me clarity about my future career.”

"It still feels like yesterday when I was pursuing my BSc in Decision Analytics at SAAS. Looking back, the programme was both rigorous and inspiring, equipping me with strong academic foundations, critical thinking skills, and an open mindset that continue to guide me today. I was fortunate to learn from exceptional professors and supportive staff in the department. The capstone project, summer research programme, and overseas exchange opportunities all sparked my passion for technology and data-driven decision-making, which eventually led me to pursue a career as a software engineer in the investment banking and tech industries. I’m deeply grateful and proud to be part of this remarkable family. Read more...

"Being part of the Decision Analytics program was both exciting and rewarding. The program provided me with a solid, well-rounded education in statistics, striking a balance between mathematical statistics and applied statistical analysis. Courses in computer science further sharpened my programming skills, allowing me to work effectively with large and complex datasets. The diversity of the curriculum kept me intellectually engaged and laid a strong foundation for my graduate studies in statistics, and later, in biostatistics. Some of my most memorable experiences as a student include peer-tutoring a statistics course, participating in a summer research project with CLP Power, and attending the ENSAI summer school in Rennes."

"As a 2023 risk management major graduate, I am working as a risk trainee at a top French investment bank serving as the second line of defense. My role is dedicated to inspections of different teams in the APEC region to make sure their work is in line with the bank’s risk management framework. Read more...

"Looking back, I’m always happy with my decision to study Risk Management for my Bachelor degree at HKU. It is definitely challenging to come through a field where statistics, finance, and data science comes together. But it was all worth it as my learning journey has shaped me to be a great analytical thinker and reliable problem solver. Read more...

"I have always wanted to pursue a degree which involve quantitative skills that allows me to apply those skills in a real day-to-day scenario. I wanted to learn how to identify, measure, and manage various types of risks that affect financial institutions as well as how to make insightful decisions based on the skills I've learnt. Read more...

"I pursued a BSc in Risk Management at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) from September 2017 to June 2022. Throughout my studies, I focused on courses related to the statistics of investment risk, derivatives and risk management, and data visualization. Read more...

"What I find most valuable about the BSC – Risk Management program as I reflect on my studies 3 years after graduation is that the program has equipped me with necessary analytical and statistical capabilities to understand the whys and hows behind the financial theorems and metrics. In my current job as a corporate banking associate, on daily basis I would need to deal with different products and clients with different risk profiles. Read more…

"When I reflect on my four years in the University of Hong Kong BSc(4) program, I conclude that the experience not only made me a better student, but also prepared me to be a confident, independent and open-minded girl. Through the BSc Program, I met the professors with a wide range of knowledge. Also, with the incredibly supportive classmates and teamwork opportunities, these form a wonderful memory in my life, and the best educational experience I’ve had. Having been shaped in part by the collegial and creative, yet rigorous, environment at HKU, I found myself able to communicate, innovate, and collaborate in ways that enabled me to build a successful communications consulting practice, independent thinking ability and eventually to get my dream job – the investment analyst in an Asset Management Firm in central."

"I am currently a senior investment consultant of a listed company. I am in charge of algorithmic trading and wealth management for high-net-worth clients. I have obtained professional qualifications, including Financial Risk Manager (FRM), Certified Professional Wealth Manager (CPWM) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)." Read more…

"My three-year journey studying the BSc program with major in Risk Management has provided me with the foundation of all the necessary knowledge to pursue jobs that require technical and analytical skills. What I like about this program is that not only I am equipped with all the quantitative skills for the risk management field itself but also at the same time I am able to learn other related topics like actuarial science, finance and data science, etc. Read more…

"I am very grateful that risk management major equipped me the scientific mindset and analysis skills for me to succeed in external business environment. The long-term success of a business hinges on the objective analysis rather than subjective insights, therefore, using a data-driven approach to make evidence-based decisions can always help in growing leadership skills. Read more…

"Having completed an undergraduate degree in Risk Management 10 years ago, I can confidently say that it has been instrumental in shaping my career path. Today, I am working as a trader in a bank, and my knowledge of risk management has proven to be invaluable in this role. Read more…

Timothy is the cofounder of Snapask, a mobile application which has connected more than two million users with 250,000 educators across different countries, and has also amassed over $20 million in funding along the way. The success of Snapask has earned Timothy a place in Forbes Asia's inaugural 30 under 30 list in 2016. Read more…

"Both of us graduated from HKU with a major in Risk Management in 2011 and 2014, respectively. After graduation, I worked in multiple well known financial institutions and hedge funds. Working as a risk developer, I gain insights into the specific needs and challenges faced by traders and hedge fund managers alike. Read more...

"Studying Statistics at HKU has built a solid foundation for my career. The program offers a broad range of topics to choose from, providing a platform to explore different domains in statistics. This helped me figure out what I'm really interested in and plan my career path. The coursework ensures exposure to both foundational theory and hands-on practice. Beyond that, the environment is supportive and encouraging. Professors are always willing to help—not just with coursework, but also with career advice. The knowledge and skills I've gained from the program have prepared me well for the future.”

"My journey at HKU has given me tremendous personal growth, launched my career at Bloomberg and planted the seed for my research trajectory in the United States. Yet, none of this would have been possible without the generous support and exceptional education from SAAS. Thanks to the well-designed curriculums at SAAS, I got a summer internship with Bloomberg data team, which then led to a full-time return offer and two formative years of my career. Read more...

"One of the best things in life that happened to me is to spend my undergraduate years in HKU under the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science. There are overseas research fellowship scheme and career advising programme (CAP) tailor-made for Statistics and Actuarial Science students. By fully utilizing the resources posted on the CAP platform, I managed to obtain a quant internship in an investment firm which turned out to be a dramatic turning point of my life. Aspired by my research topic during the internship, I decided to further pursue a PhD study into this specific area in HKU.”