Homestay
From first arrival to feeling at home
Every year thousands of students studying in the UK become part of a new family. Ours are chosen for warmth, checked properly, and close enough to school that a Friday afternoon feels easy.
What a homestay actually is
A homestay is a British family who welcome a student into their home for leave-weekends, half terms, holidays or the whole term. Students eat with the family, join in with normal life, and get to practise English without it feeling like a lesson.
As a minimum you can expect the student to be fed, have a clean, comfortable home, and their own bedroom. What makes it work is less measurable: genuine interest in the student as a person.
Requested, matched and confirmed
Homestay is arranged when you need it, rather than automatically for every school holiday or leave-weekend. Tell us which dates require accommodation and we will organise the right support.
Let us know any important requirements too. We then find a suitable homestay that is available, confirm the arrangement with you and give the student the information they need before arrival.
A little preparation makes arrival easier
Students settle faster when they know what to expect before they walk through the door, including who they are staying with, where the home is and what daily life will be like.
Before the stay, make sure we know about food preferences, allergies, faith, travel arrangements, medication and anything else that will help the host family prepare properly and make the student comfortable.
Every placement helps us learn more
Every student needs a little time to adjust to life in a new home. Their feedback helps us support them as they settle in, and match future stays even better.
We want to know what worked, what felt unfamiliar and whether anything needs to change. That feedback helps us understand the student better and improve future homestay arrangements for them.
How host families are checked
Every family goes through the same process, and it does not stop once a student arrives.
- 1
Application and references
We collect references and talk through why the family wants to host.
- 2
DBS* checks
Every household member aged 16 and over is DBS checked before any placement.
- 3
Home visit and interview
We visit the home, see the student’s room, meet the family and check the practical details.
- 4
Training and review
Safeguarding training, ongoing support and regular review, including asking students how it is going.
* The enhanced UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks criminal records to help confirm a person’s suitability to host children in their home.
Homestay life
How we match
Travel time first
We try to make it as easy as possible, and secure a homestay within a short journey of school.
Interests and routine
Quiet house or busy house, pets or no pets, early risers or night owls, it all counts.
Food and faith
Dietary needs and religious observance are agreed before arrival, not negotiated after.
Homestay questions
What can we expect from a homestay family?
Every family is different, but as a minimum you can expect the student to be fed, have a clean, comfortable home, and their own bedroom. Exact arrangements depend on the service you have chosen, your contract sets them out.
Is Study Links still the guardian if my child stays with a host family?
Yes. We remain the guardian. We arrange for your child to stay with a family and we stay responsible throughout.
Can my child make their own arrangements?
If a student wants to stay with friends or relatives, we’ll need your written permission and details of the responsible adult. The school may also need to approve the arrangement. Study Links will remain available to support the student in an emergency.
How are host families checked?
Every household member over 16 is DBS* checked. We interview the family, visit the home, check references, provide safeguarding training and review the placement regularly. Students tell us how it is going, and we act on what they say.
* The enhanced UK Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks criminal records to help confirm a person’s suitability to host children in their home.
Is homestay arranged automatically for leave-weekends and half terms?
No. Homestay for leave-weekends, half terms and other school holidays is arranged on request. Just let us know when accommodation is needed and we’ll organise the appropriate homestay.
How much does homestay cost?
It depends on the location, the type of stay and the guardianship package you have chosen, so we quote for your dates. As a guide, full-board homestay for guardianship students starts from £70 a day. Other stays, such as self-catering stays for adults, can cost less. Ask us and we will give you a clear figure for your situation.
What if the student is not happy in their accommodation?
We always try to understand and resolve any concerns before considering a move. Sometimes, a misunderstanding can be resolved through better communication, helping everyone feel more comfortable and preventing the same issue from happening again.
Occasionally, it’s simply a case of personalities not quite clicking, even when everyone has done their best. In these situations, we can help find a more suitable match. Our priority is always the student’s happiness, wellbeing and safety, while making sure everyone feels heard and supported.
From hosts and students
It wasn’t just about the money because it has become a way of life for me. I love it when they tell me about their families, home and country.
Could you be a host family?
We welcome hosts everywhere in the UK, and we support you all the way through.