We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked theseTo make it even easier to compare and evaluate unsecured loans we came up with the Finder Score. Speed, features and flexibility across 60+ lenders are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the lender – simple.
Read the full methodologyPlease note: You should always refer to your loan agreement for exact repayment amounts as they may vary from our results.
Late repayments can cause you serious money problems. See our debt help guides.
It’s not a daft question. If you can get approved, then what’s called a “0% purchase credit card” is probably the cheapest way to borrow £1,000. These cards give you a set number of months of 0% interest on purchases, as the name suggests. There are a couple of key details to note, however. Firstly, that offer sometimes only applies to purchases made in, say, the first 60 days (check the terms). Secondly, after the 0% period is over, a horrible interest rate kicks in – typically over 20%.
All card issuers can now tell you whether you’d be likely to get approved for one of their cards, without any impact on your credit score (they do a “soft search”). That’s actually really great. What’s not so great is that most of them won’t tell you in advance what your credit limit would be. To find that out, you may have to under go a full credit check. Lloyds Banking Group (which includes Halifax and MBNA) is one of the few card issuers that does give you an indication of your credit limit from just a soft search (we think they all should!). The good(-ish) news is most mainstream banks aren’t that interested in issuing cards with limits below £1,000, so they’d probably just say “no”.
Another type of credit card that might be of interest is a “0% money transfer credit card“. These cards let you transfer money from the credit card to your current account. Sounds good, right? But the catch is a “transfer fee” – typically of about 3%.
Borrowing for longer usually brings monthly repayments down to more affordable levels. However it also pushes up the total cost of borrowing, making it important to secure a competitive rate. Here are some examples of £1,000 loans at varying rates and loan durations.
| Interest rate of 5.0% fixed p.a. | Interest rate of 10.0% fixed p.a. | Interest rate of 15.0% fixed p.a. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year term | £85.61 monthly, £1,027.29 overall. | £87.92 monthly, £1,054.99 overall. | £90.26 monthly, £1,083.10 overall. |
| 2 year term | £43.87 monthly, £1,052.91 overall. | £46.14 monthly, £1,107.48 overall. | £48.49 monthly, £1,163.68 overall. |
| 3 year term | £29.97 monthly, £1,078.95 overall. | £32.27 monthly, £1,161.62 overall. | £34.67 monthly, £1,247.95 overall. |
An overdraft is likely to be a punishingly expensive way to borrow £1,000 (unless you’re a student with a chunky interest-free overdraft!). But ultimately it’s a question of comparing the rate you’d be charged on an overdraft vs the rate you’d be charged on a loan or credit card.
Don’t forget that overdrafts, credit cards and personal loans all have different repayment requirements. Overdrafts can drag on indefinitely, which is likely to be super-expensive. At the other end of the spectrum, personal loans are designed to be fulfilled at an exact point in time, so you know in advance what they’ll cost you each month and overall.
Eligibility requirements vary from lender to lender, but expect to need to meet at least the following criteria:
Most students have to operate on a shoestring budget, but when a financial shortfall hits, thankfully there are a number of options to consider.
Looking for online peer-to-peer lending platforms? Here’s a list of similar companies to Zopa with example loans and lender terms.
Looking to borrow money without using a guarantor? It’s possible, even if you have a bad credit score
With ever-rising public transport costs, it’s more important than ever to find the cheapest way to fund your commute. Here’s how to weigh up the options and find what works for you.
Want to be able to game whenever you go, but not sure you can afford to splash the cash on a gaming laptop? From in-store finance to personal loans, check out our guide to finding the right loan for you.
Taking out a joint personal loan is a major commitment, but one that could help you to borrow larger sums at competitive rates.
RateSetter might be the biggest name in peer-to-peer lending right now, but it isn’t alone in this growing sector. Compare similar platforms offering competitive rates to borrowers and investors alike.
Whether you have good or bad credit you could get approved for a £10,000 personal loan. Compare the best lenders for your individual circumstances.
Whether you’re planning on some home improvements, replacing your car or simply getting your finances in order, Sainsbury’s offers fixed rate personal loans of up to £25,000 to Nectar card holders. Fast, easy comparison with a range of lenders.
Compare Post Office fixed-rate personal loans against products from a range of UK lenders. Apply online and secure a competitive rate.