Students can choose to cook their own meals or have their breakfast and evening meals provided for them by their homestay provider or 'host'.

Families in Britain my be very different to families in other countries. Students may find that they are living with a family where both parents work full-time and also have children. Many homestay providers are older people whose children have already left home. As the United Kingdom is a nation of animal lovers, it is commong for households to have a family pet, the most popular being cats and dogs. Naturally, your host will do their very best to make you feel welcome, but things will feel strange at first - just as they would if you were living in campus accommodation or in privately rented accommodation. The important thing is to be 'open' to the new culture. Remember to be considerate and sensitive to any house rules that your host may have.

The Accommodation Office provides a contact and advice centre for both homestay families and students. However, all negotiations and agreements are entirely the responsibility of the homstay provider and the student.

2010/11 Homestay Price:

£200 security deposit (refundable at end of stay)
£85 per week self-catering
£120 per week half board (bed, breakfast and cooked evening meal)
£50 per week retainer (during periods when a student is away - e.g. half term holidays)

Applying - Five Easy Steps

Step 1
Complete a Student Application For Homestay (which can be downloaded from the bottom of this page). Make sure that you give all the required information and return it to the Accommodation Office at Stratford-upon-Avon College.

Step 2
The Accommodation Office will find you a homestay provider based on the information you have supplied. (Please be aware that while every effort is made to match all of your preferences we are unable to guarantee that this will be possible).

Step 3
Once a suitable homestay provider has been found, you will be sent email confirmation of your allocation, giving you full details of your homestay provider. It is essential, therefore that you check the email account that you registered on your application form on a regular basis.

Step 4
You will be expected to make contact with your homestay provider to introduce yourself within 72 hours of the confirmation email being sent to you. This can be done via a telephone call or by an email and will help to alleviate any worries you might have prior to your arrival.

Step 5

Once you confirm your travel plans, you should keep both the Accommodation Office and your homestay provider updated with the relevant information so that everyone knows the date and time of your arrival.