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Compare personal loans for part-time employees
How to get a loan when you're working part-time.
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Read the full methodologyCan I get a personal loan if I work part-time?
Yes, you can still get a loan if you only work part-time, but you may need to meet a minimum income requirement to be eligible for a specific loan. Lenders ask you to provide proof of income and employment when you apply for a personal loan, and many will require you to make at least £7,500 per year.
Working irregular hours is common, especially if you’re at university, a parent or in a position where your hours change week to week. Unfortunately, lenders may see part time workers as more of a risk because they don’t have a guarantee of consistent work, and are therefore less certain to make their loan repayments.
However, if you have part-time employment, don’t fret. It’s important to know that there are still loan options out there for you.
It can be expensive to borrow small amounts of money and borrowing may not solve your money problems if you’re stuck in a debt cycle. If you need help managing bill and debts, contact your collector to see if you can work out a payment plan or contact the MoneyHelper.
Am I considered a part-time worker?
There’s no official definition of a part time employee. But generally speaking, a part time employee is someone who works less than 35 hours a week. This could mean someone who works 10 hours per week or 34 hours a week and still be considered a part-time employee.
Part-time employees typically work on contracts and bill their employers by the hour. They also might not be able to take advantage of benefits that full-time employees enjoy — such as health insurance.
You can typically get an unsecured personal loan for an amount between £1,000 and £25,000 — though some lenders might offer amounts as high as £50,000 for existing customers with excellent credit profiles. Personal loans are typically repaid over terms of 1 to 7 years.
How to get approved for a loan as a part-time employee
Here are some tips to increase the chances of your application being successful:
- Check the minimum income. You’ll need to ensure you meet the minimum income criteria with regards to employment requirements. Some lenders have set minimums while others care more about your debt-to-income ratio.
- Stick with your employer. The longer you’ve been employed, the more stable your finances will appear to a lender.
- Sign up for direct deposit. Along with physical pay slips, this will be a way for lenders to verify your income through your bank account.
- Get in touch with the lender. This is the best way to check anything before submitting your application and reduces the risk of rejection if you can identify any areas that might mean your application is questioned.
More tips to help your personal loan application
7 ways to appear as less of a risk to lenders
Part-time workers aren’t on the outside looking in when it comes to borrowing money. To tip the approval scale in your favour when applying for a loan, there are a few things you can do:
- Work for a year, then apply. If you’ve been employed at the same place for at least 12 months, you’ll be considered much less of a risk. However, some lenders will only want to see 3 or 6 months of steady employment in order for approval.
- Get a letter from your employer. It could help your application by providing a letter from your employer that confirms your employment and future work schedule.
- Make your current repayments on time. By making sure you have all of your ducks in a row when it comes to your finances, stay on top of your bills to build a strong reputation as a responsible borrower.
- Don’t apply for multiple loans. Lenders are able to see any credit accounts and loans that you apply for and if you make multiple applications, you may appear desperate and more of a risk.
- Save. If you can show evidence of your savings to a lender, they may be more inclined to give you a loan. For example, if you are looking to buy a car and need a £5,000 loan and have £2,000 saved, the lender may see you as less of a risk.
- Apply with your own bank. Your own bank will have more concrete evidence of your financial history than your credit file and if this history is positive, you’re more likely to be approved.
- Consult an accountant. When you apply for personal loans, an accountant can help you keep track of your tax returns, savings and spending.
Bottom line
While not all lenders are willing to work with part-time workers, most care more about the fact that you have a steady income and a low debt-to-income ratio. Be sure to check the minimum rates before you apply for a loan to make sure you’re eligible. If it’s unclear, reach out to customer service.
Want to learn more about personal loans? Visit our guide to find out how they work and compare even more lenders.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a car loan if I only work part time?
You can, as long as you meet your lender’s income or debt-to-income requirements. Check our car loans page to learn more about how auto loans work.
Can I get a mortgage with a part-time job?
It’s possible, but you might not be able to get the best deal. With such a hefty, long term loan, lenders are typically more comfortable seeing that you’re steadily employed. You might have more luck if you take on more than 1 job or have spent at least 2 years with the same employer.
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