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Chem Engineering Coop vs Actuarial studies at UNSW (1 Viewer)

Surimuga

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Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

Hey guys! So recently I've been offered a chem eng coop scholarship at unsw, but I was also looking into actuarial studies at UNSW! So I'm really confused as to what I should do here- like in regards to future job prospects,pay etc. also, if I did pick up the scholarship and do not like it, would I be able to transfer into actuarial studies in the future? If I can, how hard/easy would it be?

Thank you :)
 

astroman

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

well with the scholarship ur job is pretty much guaranteed upon graduation, with the added bonus of a higher starting salary compared to a acturial related job.
 

Surimuga

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

Do you think in the long term, actuaries would get higher pay?
 

astroman

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

probably, but that is in the longterm, a starting salary would be around 40k-80k whereas if you did engineering with your scholarship, employees may be able to put you directly into a higher role above graduate and thus give you a higher salary i.e. 100k+
 

obliviousninja

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

Hey guys! So recently I've been offered a chem eng coop scholarship at unsw, but I was also looking into actuarial studies at UNSW! So I'm really confused as to what I should do here- like in regards to future job prospects,pay etc. also, if I did pick up the scholarship and do not like it, would I be able to transfer into actuarial studies in the future? If I can, how hard/easy would it be?

Thank you :)
Yes you can transfer later on, but you will have to give the money back. You might want to do a placement first to get a feel of what you are getting into
 

Surimuga

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

How hard would it be to transfer? Because I've heard that it's hard to score well in engineering :/
 

astroman

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

its hard to score well in actuarial as well.
 

Surimuga

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Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW
Hey guys! So recently I've been offered a chem eng coop scholarship at unsw, but I was also looking into actuarial studies at UNSW! So I'm really confused as to what I should do here- like in regards to future job prospects,pay etc. also, if I did pick up the scholarship and do not like it, would I be able to transfer into actuarial studies in the future? If I can, how hard/easy would it be?

Thank you :)
 

kalstar

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

How hard would it be to transfer? Because I've heard that it's hard to score well in engineering :/
if you've already been offered a coop scholarship for chem eng, chances are you won't do too badly lol.
 

anomalousdecay

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Re: Chemical engineering UNSW CoOp Scholarship vs Actuarial Studies at UNSW

Hi,
I was in a similar situation last year. I received a small scholarship (nothing like co-op though) for Materials Science/Chemical Engineering but declined to do Electrical. I guess in the end my decision was based on what I found more interesting, more self satisfying and based on the type of work available to an Electrical Engineer in comparison to a Chemical or Materials Engineer.

In the end, do your research and take the main priorities for you into consideration to make your final decision.
 

BlugyBlug

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Those two fields are on opposite sides of the spectrum - pick what you enjoy.

But to answer the question, yes it is possible to transfer from Chem eng into actuarial. Do your own research, too - first year courses aren't exactly representative of what the field of chemical engineering is like in the real world.

http://puu.sh/dy0e9/7cc67e404f.png
^
translated: You need at WAM of 75 and a mark >80 in both MATH1131/1141 and MATH 1231/1241 by the end of first year to begin Actuarial in 2nd year.

EDIT: As for difficulties in transferring, eh I couldn't really say - It's all relative. For ENGG1000 pick the Civil bridge or mechanical project (just don't pick electrical or your WAM will be killed). Those two project choices generally receive the highest marks. >80 in your math courses isn't too bad assuming you have a decent interest in math which you probably do considering you're looking at actuarial. Doing 4U math helps a great deal, too.
 
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