Credit Card for Postgraduate Students

cowboy

Hi,

My partner is doing her PhD and was wonderign if she can apply for any credit cards? She's not in debt, mainly the credit card will be used for 0% purchases and/or cashback offers from the provider.

I was wondering if she stands any chance in applying for any credit card? M&S 0% interest for 15 months credit card doesnt allow someone who is not in employment even though she receives monthly stipend from her scholarship (which is about £20k a year tax-free).

Any advice or recommendation on which credit card provider allow such circumstances and which card to go for? Thanks!

scottishblondie

Any card should do really, although obviously it depends on credit history etc. Personally speaking I've been approved for Nationwide, Lloyds Airmiles Duo and the Halifax Clarity since starting my PhD.

Just put down "student" as employment status and then the stipend amount as salary. They will most likely ask for proof of income as being a student and earning 20k don't match up as far as the computer is concerned!

cowboy

Thanks, scottishblondie... M&S for one doesnt accept postgraduate student applicants (confirmed by phone). Did you get your cards by applying in branch or is it ok to apply online? Usually they will ask for employer's name when filling out online application.. no idea what to put there as her funding comes from overseas.

djt1

I was in a similar position a few years ago when doing my PhD, although I had some debt. I applied for and got the Virgin CC. I think I put academic for the employment option. Following my application I had to confirm my employment status over the phone.

I don't think the virgin cad offers any sort of reward anymore, unfortunately.

HTH
djt

CLAPTON

normally 0% cards go to people with excellent credit hiostories and good incomes

does your pertner meet those criteria
-excellent credit record
-on the electoral roll
-previous credit on the file

cowboy

Thanks, djt1 for sharing your experience.

Thanks, CLAPTON. She's debt free, able to take mobile phone contracts with no problem and she's on the electoral roll. So I think her record is quite good? Is 0% card for purchases that difficult to obtain? I heard Tesco one (13months 0% interest free on purchases) is quite hard to obtain... so thinking of applying for ones which are easier to obtain, but no idea which one.

scottishblondie

I applied for the Clarity online, the others I got in branch. I was actually pre-approved for the Lloyds one when I opened a current account with them, so I suppose I technically didn't apply for that one myself.

If they ask for an employer name I put down the University, as I receive my funding via them and get payslips with the university name on them.