Student AND Part Time Job

HelpLizSave

Hi, 

So I am 25, never had a credit card before, never used an overdraft, and in general haven't done much to get a good credit score. I am trying to plan for the future and when I want to apply for a mortgage, so feel like I should get a credit card to improve my credit score.

I will be starting at university in January, while working part time (earning roughly £5,000 - £7,000) a year.

I have done a few of the checks to see if I could apply for a credit card and they have all said I wouldn't be eligible. I am thinking this is because I am putting down that I am a student?

I was hoping to get an aqua card, or the barclaycard credit card for new credit card users. Can I put that I work part time instead of being a student?

Any other reasons I am being rejected? Have been on the electoral register since I was old enough, I have a couple of direct debits I have never missed a payment on.

Not sure where I am going wrong.

Thanks

Jami74

You might be able to get a student credit card once your student account is open and funded. And of course the interest free student overdraft.

HelpLizSave

Jami74 said:

You might be able to get a student credit card once your student account is open and funded. And of course the interest free student overdraft.

I wasn't planning on getting a student bank account? Is this something I have to do?

Edi81

HelpLizSave said:

Jami74 said:

You might be able to get a student credit card once your student account is open and funded. And of course the interest free student overdraft.

I wasn't planning on getting a student bank account? Is this something I have to do?

You don’t have to but often banks offer incentives for them including interest free overdrafts. 

Remember it’s your credit history you are trying to build not a mythical score. 

MalMonroe

You're not a student yet but when you are - unless you're doing an online course, that is - during Freshers week you should find all manner of offers pushed your way. When I went to uni, banks were desperate for students to join them. I was a mature student, as you will be and I got a Barclays student account (with which I got lots of perks) and a Barclays student credit card. Although HSBC turned me down. You don't HAVE to get a student account of course but I found it beneficial since I did get a free overdraft, as Edi8 says. (I hasten to add that you will also get perks if you're doing an online course.)

You said, "Can I put that I work part time instead of being a student?" and I say - why not wait to apply until you actually ARE a student and then put both? That's what I did because I worked part-time as well. You'll kick yourself if you don't hang on and miss out on a good deal. It isn't long to wait.

The majority of students are 18 with no credit history when they start uni and they manage to get bank accounts and credit cards - but not until they actually start at uni. It will probably the same with you, especially as you'll be earning too. 

You're only 25 - everything will come in time. If I were you, I wouldn't panic right now. You'll have a great time at uni and meet some lovely people who will become very good friends. Many people in this country are so very desperate to get a mortgage. I say, live a little, enjoy your time at uni. It's not easy, working and studying but it was one of the best things I've ever done. And of course I got my degree at the end of it all. 

Don't worry, be happy! 

RandomUserID

MalMonroe said:

You're not a student yet but when you are - unless you're doing an online course, that is - during Freshers week you should find all manner of offers pushed your way. When I went to uni, banks were desperate for students to join them. I was a mature student, as you will be and I got a Barclays student account (with which I got lots of perks) and a Barclays student credit card. Although HSBC turned me down. You don't HAVE to get a student account of course but I found it beneficial since I did get a free overdraft, as Edi8 says. (I hasten to add that you will also get perks if you're doing an online course.)

You said, "Can I put that I work part time instead of being a student?" and I say - why not wait to apply until you actually ARE a student and then put both? That's what I did because I worked part-time as well. You'll kick yourself if you don't hang on and miss out on a good deal. It isn't long to wait.

The majority of students are 18 with no credit history when they start uni and they manage to get bank accounts and credit cards - but not until they actually start at uni. It will probably the same with you, especially as you'll be earning too. 

You're only 25 - everything will come in time. If I were you, I wouldn't panic right now. You'll have a great time at uni and meet some lovely people who will become very good friends. Many people in this country are so very desperate to get a mortgage. I say, live a little, enjoy your time at uni. It's not easy, working and studying but it was one of the best things I've ever done. And of course I got my degree at the end of it all. 

Don't worry, be happy! 

You can't put both.

HelpLizSave

RandomUserID said:

MalMonroe said:

You're not a student yet but when you are - unless you're doing an online course, that is - during Freshers week you should find all manner of offers pushed your way. When I went to uni, banks were desperate for students to join them. I was a mature student, as you will be and I got a Barclays student account (with which I got lots of perks) and a Barclays student credit card. Although HSBC turned me down. You don't HAVE to get a student account of course but I found it beneficial since I did get a free overdraft, as Edi8 says. (I hasten to add that you will also get perks if you're doing an online course.)

You said, "Can I put that I work part time instead of being a student?" and I say - why not wait to apply until you actually ARE a student and then put both? That's what I did because I worked part-time as well. You'll kick yourself if you don't hang on and miss out on a good deal. It isn't long to wait.

The majority of students are 18 with no credit history when they start uni and they manage to get bank accounts and credit cards - but not until they actually start at uni. It will probably the same with you, especially as you'll be earning too. 

You're only 25 - everything will come in time. If I were you, I wouldn't panic right now. You'll have a great time at uni and meet some lovely people who will become very good friends. Many people in this country are so very desperate to get a mortgage. I say, live a little, enjoy your time at uni. It's not easy, working and studying but it was one of the best things I've ever done. And of course I got my degree at the end of it all. 

Don't worry, be happy! 

You can't put both.

This! Unless its different when you actually apply, the ones ive looked at to see if I would qualify don't have the option of both

Jami74

HelpLizSave said:

I wasn't planning on getting a student bank account? Is this something I have to do?

No of course not, but as already mentioned, they come with benefits. I put my interest free overdraft into a savings account and earnt a few pennies interest on it. I also got a 4 year railcard with mine which saved a few quid on train fares. Some come with free taste card or student discount cards. Plus, more likely to get the associated student credit card via the student account than via a mainstream lender on a low part time income.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/students/student-bank-account/

There's no rush to get a credit card. Presumably you won't be applying for a mortgage while you are a student on low income and an overdraft (either at 0% or unused) will count towards your credit history. 

jay1804

Have you had a look at all three credit files:

- Equifax report you can use Clear Score
- Experian report you can use MSE credit club
- TransUnion you can use Credit Karma, TotallyMoney or Credit Monitor

To make sure the information is correct.

In your OP you say you will be starting uni in January and earning 5-7K are your currently working now, If so put your current circumstances, e.g working full or part time.

You should be able to apply for one of these cards, if you have an income and your credit files are clean (no missed payments, defaults, ect). Make sure you check your eligibility, on the lenders site before applying. 

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/bad-credit-credit-cards/

If you can't get one of these cards, try to get a sim only, if you don't have one already or a contract.

HelpLizSave

Jami74 said:

HelpLizSave said:

I wasn't planning on getting a student bank account? Is this something I have to do?

No of course not, but as already mentioned, they come with benefits. I put my interest free overdraft into a savings account and earnt a few pennies interest on it. I also got a 4 year railcard with mine which saved a few quid on train fares. Some come with free taste card or student discount cards. Plus, more likely to get the associated student credit card via the student account than via a mainstream lender on a low part time income.

There's no rush to get a credit card. Presumably you won't be applying for a mortgage while you are a student on low income and an overdraft (either at 0% or unused) will count towards your credit history. 

Thanks, I have been looking at ones that do the railcard, but would I qualify as its for 16-25 yo? Would be interested in getting a student bank account if I am able to get a railcard, or another benefit.

Jami74

HelpLizSave said:

Thanks, I have been looking at ones that do the railcard, but would I qualify as its for 16-25 yo? Would be interested in getting a student bank account if I am able to get a railcard, or another benefit.

Yes. See here:

https://secure.railcard.co.uk/purchase/16-25