Rob,
I used the HSBC for approx. 30K and they wanted that secured, not sure what you can get unsecured these days, there seems to be no answer to that. Do a search and you'll see what I mean. If you think you're going to need the HSBC loan in a couple of years then I would switch your account to them if you don't already bank with them. They like to see a bit of your banking history with them.
As a rough idea, a friend of mine got 65K, he trained at Jerez and the repayment schedule for him is 10 years at approx 800 pounds a month!!! Which sounds horrific (which it is!) but divide 65,000 by 10 (6500 per year) and divide that by 12 and you get 540 pounds per month and of course that’s with no interest!
A good business plan is essential though, I didn't get my loan via Oxford (although I believe you have to now - to get the Professional studies loan) and the Branch Manager I dealt with had absolutely no idea about what it was all about but thanks to a well-prepared financial plan, he was suitably impressed and gave me the cash!
Hope that helps……one other thing…….before writing your business plan, you may want to read up on the usage of apostrophes!!
moo