What is an unsecured personal loan?
A personal loan is where you borrow an amount of money from a lender and then pay it back over a set period in monthly instalments.
Your repayments will include interest, so you end up paying back more than the loan amount.
An unsecured loans means you don't have to put up any asset – like your home – as security.
So you won't have to worry about potentially losing your property if you struggle to keep up with the monthly instalments.
How much does a personal loan cost?
The overall cost of your loan will depend on your credit score and the repayment period.
If you have a low credit score it will be harder to get the best personal loan rates, and you could be charged more interest than someone who has a higher score.
Before applying for a loan you can check your credit rating with one of the UK's credit reference agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. You can usually do this for free, but these agencies do use different scoring systems.
If you choose a repayment period over 2 years, the monthly instalments would be higher than the same loan amount over 5 years. However, because you pay more interest over the longer term, the overall cost of the loan is higher.
You can often use loan calculators to see how much your loan might cost over different periods.
How much can I borrow with a personal loan?
Different providers offer their own loan amounts and terms, and the size of each loan can affect the terms.
Should I take out a loan?
Before you apply, make sure a personal loan is the right option for you and your financial position. Consider how much you need to borrow, and whether you can afford the repayments plus the interest.
Late or missed repayments can result in extra charges and have a negative impact on your credit rating. This could make it harder to get approval for future loans and credit.
If you do go ahead, take time to consider which loan option is most affordable.