Loans for apprentices

Compare your apprenticeship loan options in the UK, and find out what financial help and grants are available to apprentices.

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Compare personal loans for apprentices

Table: sorted by representative APR, promoted deals first
1 - 3 of 3
Name Product UKFPL Finder score Finder score Customer rating Eligibility requirements Documentation required Link
Novuna Personal Loan
Finder score
★★★★★
4.4
★★★★★
★★★★★
User rating
  • You do not have any CCJs
  • You get paid at least £10,000 per annum
  • You are 21 years or older
  • Address details for last 3 years
  • Bank statements corroborating income declared
  • Bank account details
  • Employment details
Check eligibility
More Info
Representative example: Borrow £10,000.00 over 3 years at a rate of 6.9% p.a. (fixed). Representative APR 6.9% and total payable £11,064.60 in monthly repayments of £307.35.
Finio Loans Personal Loan
Finder score
★★★★★
3.9
★★★★★
Not yet rated
  • You have a UK personal bank account
  • You are a UK resident
  • You do not have any CCJs
  • You are 18 years or older
  • Residential address(es) for last 12 months
  • Proof of identity
  • Bank account details
  • Proof of income
Check eligibility
More Info
Representative example: Borrow £10,000.00 over 3 years at a rate of 39.9% p.a. (fixed). Representative APR 39.9% and total payable £16,091.64 in monthly repayments of £446.99.
Everyday Loans Personal Loan
Finder score
★★★★★
4.2
★★★★★
Not yet rated
  • You do not have any CCJs
  • You regularly get paid at least £10,000 per annum
  • You are 18 years or older
  • Proof of where you live
  • Proof of identity
  • Bank account details
  • Proof of income
Check eligibility
More Info
Representative example: Borrow £10,000.00 over 3 years at a rate of 99.9% p.a. (fixed). Representative APR 99.9% and total payable £24,451.56 in monthly repayments of £679.21.
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Please 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.

What are the best loan alternatives for an apprentice?

As an apprentice, you may find you’re a bit strapped for cash. While an unsecured personal loan might be suitable if you’re looking to borrow as an apprentice, you might find it hard to be approved for a loan if you don’t have much employment history or are earning under a certain amount.

Thankfully, there are several other loan options for apprentices, especially if you can provide evidence that your role is eventually transitioning to a full-time, salaried position. Although it might be better to borrow money from friends or family, this might not always be possible, and it can result in relationship issues if things go wrong. For this reason, you might want to explore these alternatives:

Credit-builder credit cards

These are credit cards aimed at people with a poor credit score or no credit history, and they can be easier to get accepted for. The credit limits are lower, and the interest rates are higher than with traditional cards, but they allow applicants to build their credit score with each timely repayment. This could help them get access to more credit in the future.

Credit-builder credit cards

Government-backed schemes

The government offers Advanced Learner Loans to help apprentices with the costs of learning at this level. Your eligibility for these loans isn’t based on your income, and there are no credit checks involved. Instead, eligibility is based on your age, training provider, nationality and residency status. You must be at least 19 years old on the first day of your course. These loans are a good first step for apprentices looking for financial assistance. The minimum amount you’ll get is £300, and this is paid directly to your college or training provider.

Advanced Learner Loans

Guarantor loans

Guarantor loans are when a family member or close friend agrees to be a guarantor and steps in to pay the loan’s balance if the applicant cannot do so. If you have a guarantor to support your loan, lenders are more likely to offer you a loan as the risk is reduced. But it’s also a big responsibility for the guarantor.

Guarantor loans

Vehicle finance

If you need a loan to buy a car, try striking a deal with a dealership’s finance department. There are a number of different options to explore, but read the small print carefully to be sure you know what you’re signing up to. Some options require you to put down a deposit first.


Car loans and finance options

Payday loans

These short-term loans are easy to be approved for, but the interest rates are astronomical. Consider these a last resort once all other avenues have been explored.

Payday and short-term instalment loans

What can I use an apprentice loan for?

You can use an apprentice loan to help pay your course fees, and depending on the type of loan you choose and how large your loan is, you might be able to use funds to cover some of your living costs, too.

How to find the best loan

It’s important to compare the loans on offer to find the most affordable deal for you. Check the APR (rate) on the loan and the term lengths available, and find a deal with the lowest rate that offers monthly repayments you can comfortably afford. The longer the loan’s term, the lower your monthly repayments, although you’ll pay extra in interest, so the overall cost of your loan will be higher.

Explore all the options listed above and calculate the total payable among the best lenders. This will often be displayed prominently online. Aim to keep your total repayable as low as possible while ensuring you can comfortably meet your monthly repayments.

Government-backed loans tend to be the most favourable for applicants, although this is not always the case. Bear in mind that lenders tend to offer better rates if you’re willing to provide a guarantor or some sort of collateral to protect them in the case of missed repayments.

What will I need to apply for an apprentice loan?

This depends on the type of loan you’re applying for. But you’ll usually need to fill in an online form, providing some personal details such as your name, date of birth and address. You might also need to give your National Insurance number and provide details about your income, as well as state what you’re using the funds for.

On top of this, you could be asked to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or driving licence, and proof of address, such as a utility bill. However, many lenders now verify your identity and address electronically through a credit reference agency (CRA), so this again depends on the loan you’re applying for.

Dos and don’ts

Do:

  • Shop around for the most affordable loan
  • Check the eligibility criteria before applying
  • Pay your loan back on time

Don’t:

  • Apply for a loan you can’t afford to pay back
  • Submit multiple applications in a short space of time
  • Take out loans to fund unnecessary purchases

The bottom line

Your loan eligibility won’t necessarily be affected by the fact you’re an apprentice, but lenders do take into account your annual income, the reliability of your payments and your credit history.

If you can demonstrate a reliable annual income and a history of responsible borrowing, you may still be eligible for a traditional personal loan with a more favourable rate. If you can show evidence that your apprenticeship is likely to transition into full-time employment during the loan’s term, this could also support your application.

Frequently asked questions

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
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To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Head of publishing

Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio

Chris's expertise
Chris has written 617 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Loans & credit cards
  • Building credit
  • Financial health
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Co-written by

Writer

Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time. See full bio

More guides on Finder

  • Loans for students

    Most students have to operate on a shoestring budget, but when a financial shortfall hits, thankfully there are a number of options to consider.

  • Loans for international students

    Discover the most reliable means for migrants and international students to borrow money in the UK

  • Compare personal loans for new employees

    If you have just started a new job, you could still be accepted for a personal loan. See how lenders compare and give yourself the best possible chance of being accepted.

4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    MichaelFebruary 28, 2019

    Hi, i’m currently doing an apprenticeship and was wondering if i’m eligible for an advanced learner loan or something of the sort. I’d like the loan to get transport into work.

      AvatarFinder
      johnbasanesMarch 1, 2019Finder

      Hi Michael,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      The page we are on has a link that leads you to the Advanced learner government website where the eligibility and other pertinent information is available for you to check. There are also other options available that are discussed on the page like getting a guarantor loan, payday loans and the like. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    Default Gravatar
    phatimaNovember 13, 2018

    I am an apprentice, I am struggling to find accommodation. My pay can’t get me a house.can I take any loan as an apprentice?

      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaNovember 27, 2018Finder

      Hi Phatima,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

      Yes, it is possible that you will be able to apply for a loan as an apprentice. On this page, one of the lenders you can try is Amigos. Click on the “Go to site” green button to be redirected to their website.

      Please make sure that you’ve read the relevant T&Cs or PDS of the loan products before making a decision. Moreover, check the eligibility requirements as well and consider whether the product is right for you.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

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