Guardianship
A guardian who is actually there
Absolute peace of mind for parents and practical support for students, independent advice, school liaison, holiday accommodation and 24/7 emergency response.
What is an educational guardian?
A guardian is the person or organisation parents appoint to take responsibility for their child in the UK. UK boarding schools require every international student to have one, and universities require all under 18s to have one too.
In practice it means someone is responsible for your child in school, making sure studies and school life are going well, and out of school, during travel, leave-weekends and holidays.
What we do, week to week
Answer, day or night
A 24/7 emergency number that reaches a person who can act, not a message service.
Stay in touch
With your child, with you, with your agent and with the school, so everything runs smoothly.
Match a homestay
A welcoming, checked and trained host family for time out of school.
Arrange safe travel
To and from school, homestays and airports, monitored end to end.
Follow progress
Reports read, schools questioned, action plans agreed when something needs to change.
Advise on next steps
Subject choices, university applications and career paths, with mentors from our network.
Six packages, tailored to your family
UK independent schools recommend Study Links for their international students. Confirm your package and if you need to add services later on, just get in touch.
- Fullest support
Elite Guardianship
Our highest level of care, end to end.
Who it suits: Families who want the fullest support: parents who prefer to communicate in their own language, and students who are new to the UK.
- School visits during term
- Academic progress reports and school liaison
- Homestay for leave-weekends, half terms and holidays
- Airport transfers and UK travel arranged
- 24/7 emergency response
- Parent updates in English, Mandarin, Cantonese or Polish
- Guidance on next steps: options, UCAS, university choices
£7,375 for the school year
Or from £2,950 a term
Select this package - Recommended
Classic Guardianship
The most popular balance of care and independence.
Who it suits: This is the lowest level of support recommended by schools, for families who want educational support from Study Links for a student who is mature, settled and comfortable in a UK boarding school.
- School liaison and academic updates
- Homestay for leave-weekends, half terms and holidays
- Travel arrangements within the UK
- 24/7 emergency response
- Regular contact with student and parents
£3,625 for the school year
Or from £1,450 a term
Select this package Limited Guardianship
For confident families who deal with the school directly.
Who it suits: Parents who are comfortable communicating with the school themselves, for a student who is independent and has some experience of living or studying in the UK.
- Named UK guardian for the school's records
- Homestay arranged on request
- 24/7 emergency response
- Support when plans change
£1,625 for the school year
Or from £650 a term
Select this packageFirst Response - School
An experienced guardian for emergencies only.
Who it suits: School students who need a UK guardian as an emergency contact, and who can travel home for short holidays.
- 24/7 emergency phone line
- Rapid response if something goes wrong
- Named guardian for school records
- No school visits or academic monitoring
- Emergency costs invoiced separately
£1,125 for the school year
Or from £375 a term
Select this packageFirst Response - University
Emergency cover for university and foundation students.
Who it suits: University, foundation and mature students without family in the UK.
- 24/7 emergency phone line
- Rapid response if something goes wrong
- Named guardian for university records
- No academic monitoring
- Emergency costs invoiced separately
£855 for the school year
Or from £285 a term
Select this packageFirst Response - Short term
Emergency cover for short stays.
Who it suits: Students at a UK school for less than six weeks (half a term) who need a UK guardian as an emergency contact.
- 24/7 emergency phone line
- Rapid response if something goes wrong
- Named guardian for school records
- Cover for less than six weeks (half a term)
From £185
Select this package
Prices depend on the school, the dates and what you need alongside guardianship. Build your package to see the figure for your family, or speak to an adviser.
What happens when you apply
- 1
Enquiry
Tell us the school, the year group and what you are worried about. We reply within 2 working days.
- 2
Quote
A written quote for the package and any extras. Nothing hidden, nothing assumed.
- 3
Registration
The application form, with medical and consent details.
- 4
Match to a Host
Host family matched, school contacted, transfers booked, and a preparation guide sent to you both.
Guardianship questions
What is an educational guardian?
A guardian is the person or organisation parents appoint to take responsibility for their child in the UK. We act on your behalf to look after your child’s wellbeing and academic progress while they are studying here.
Why does my child need a guardian?
UK boarding schools require every international student to have a UK-based educational guardian, and universities require all under 18s to have one too. Your child needs someone responsible for them in school, making sure studies and school life are going well, and out of school, during travel, leave-weekends and holidays.
What does Study Links actually do?
We provide a 24/7 emergency contact number and act quickly if anything goes wrong. We stay in touch with your child, you, your agent and the school. We match your child to a checked, welcoming homestay family for time out of school, arrange safe travel to and from school, homestays and airports, and give advice on studies and next steps.
How should we contact you?
Call us on +44 (0)1274 679710 if you’d like to talk something through (Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm UK time), or email office@studylinks.co.uk if that’s more convenient. We’ll make sure your enquiry reaches the right person and respond as quickly as we can.
For emergencies, please always call our dedicated emergency phone number. WhatsApp, WeChat and email are useful for everyday communication, but should not be relied on for urgent support.
Can you provide guardianship at any school or university?
Yes. We provide guardianship throughout the UK, with staff and homestay families around the country so we can reach a student quickly in an emergency.
Can you provide accommodation during the holidays?
Yes. We arrange homestay accommodation during school holidays, and can also arrange holiday camps if you would prefer that.
How do we prepare for our child studying in the UK?
We send parents and students a detailed guide covering everything from packing and phones to school routines and money. As your guardian, we are there to answer the questions the guide does not cover.
What else can you arrange?
Private tutoring, university application advice including Oxbridge, Medicine and Law, UK trips for visiting families, airport chaperones and transfers, homestay accommodation, holiday camps, integration workshops, study skills sessions and conversational English classes. Full details come with registration.
From parents and students
Sending my child to England was difficult for me. But with the caring and professional guardianship service offered by Study Links, I felt confident that my child would be ok. They followed academic progress, which was very important to me, and the team were always available by email or telephone.
Due to their professional experience and pragmatism, the team’s care to my daughter was aptly balanced, giving her boundaries while strengthening her independent thinking.
Not sure which package fits?
Answer a few questions and we will recommend one, with an indicative quote.