Do You Qualify for a Stipend Mortgage?
Do You Qualify for a Stipend Mortgage?
The few lenders that offer stipend mortgages have different criteria when deciding if your stipend can be used. Some will only consider your stipend if other criteria are met.
The main issues are having enough time remaining on your stipend, if you have non-stipend income, and if you are applying with somebody else.
Once you know if you qualify, see how much can you borrow with a stipend mortgage page and learn what documents are required.
Your exact circumstances will also determine the minimum deposit size you will need. Read more on deposit sizes needed. There are additional rules for non-British borrowers, but EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can be treated as British.
Last updated: 11th February 2026
Only you apply, only stipend income
Time since stipend started
You need to have received your first stipend payment.
If you have already been receiving your stipend for 6 months, you will have the most options.
Time remaining on stipend
You need to have 6 months remaining at the point of the mortgage application. Having 12 months remaining is better though.
Previous employment
Previous employment is not essential however, you will have more options if you were continuously employed (or self-employed) for the 6 months before you started your PhD.
Continuously means without a gap of 3 weeks or more between employment and the PhD commencing.
If you have already been receiving your stipend for 6 months, this counts as employment.
Only you apply, you have other income
Time since stipend started
You need to have received your first stipend payment.
Realistically, to use your additional income, most lenders will want to see that you can earn the additional income for 12 months before agreeing to use both.
Time remaining on stipend
Ideally, you would have 12 months remaining, but it could be possible with just 6 months remaining, so long as your additional income is acceptable (see the next two sections)
Employed income
Permanent role
If this is a permanent position, your income could be considered up to 3 months before the position starts.
Fixed term contract
If it is a fixed term contract then it must be at least 12 months long at origin, with at least 6 months remaining.
OR
You’ve been on fixed term contracts without breaks for the last 12 months and currently have more than 3 months remaining (though ideally this would be 6 months).
Zero Hours Contract
One year’s history and evidence are required.
Important to note:
Ultimately your employed income needs to be seen as sustainable, and it must be realistic that you can manage your PhD and the source of your additional income. Lenders will be more comfortable if you can evidence that you have done both for the last year.
If your fixed term contract is coming to an end a few months after your PhD starts it is unlikely to be considered sustainable, especially if both, or even just one is full time.
Self-employed income
You need to have been trading for at least 2 years.
Your latest 2 years net profit or income from self-employment will be used.
They will take the average of the 2 years when assessing your income, or the latest year if it is lower.
This can be your net profit as a sole trader, or your income from employment and dividends if you are the director of a limited company.
Important to note
Your self-employed income needs to be seen as sustainable by the lender in order to consider it. If you were working full time for yourself and now are commencing a PhD but plan to keep doing some self-employed work, it is unlikely to be accepted.
More likely, the lender will want to see that you have managed a PhD and self-employment for at least the last year before considering your self-employed income.
You and an employed or self-employed partner apply
Time since stipend started
You need to have received your first stipend payment.
Time remaining on stipend
You need to have 6 months remaining at the point of the mortgage application.
Partner's income
Ideally, they will have been employed for the last 6 months to give you the best stipend mortgage options. However, they can qualify even if their employment doesn’t start until 3 months after you apply for a mortgage.
If on a fixed-term contract, they need an original length of 12 months with 6 months remaining, or at least 3 months remaining if they have already got 12 months fixed term contract experience.
If your partner is self-employed, they need 2 years trading and 2 years Tax Calculations & Tax Year Overviews.
If your partner does not work or has been self-employed for less than 2 years, see the ‘Only you apply’ section.
You and another PhD candidate apply
Time since stipend started
You each need to have received your first stipend payment.
Time remaining on stipend
You each need to have 6 months remaining at the point of the mortgage application. Note that 12 months remaining is more desirable.
Other employed or self-employed income
It may be possible to use this. See the employed income and self-employed income sections under ‘Only you apply, you have other income.’
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage
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