Host Students in Southampton
Become a homestay host for international students
For hosting in Ringwood, click here.
Hosting international students for the Lewis School of English is fun, enriching and a great way to earn extra income. We welcome students all year round for short and long-stay courses at our accredited school in Southampton city centre. Our students love the homestay experience and our hosts find it richly rewarding too!
What you’ll need to provide...
- A warm welcome!
- A spare bedroom with wardrobe, linen/towels, desk and WiFi.
- Half board or full board. Full board includes packed lunches.
- A DBS check is required to host under-18s. This is a simple process and costs £48.80 per person.
What about transport?
Students catch the bus to school. You just need to be near a regular bus route within 30 minutes of the city centre.
Who will my student be?
Our students come from all over the world and you can choose to hosts adults, juniors or either.
Junior students in homestay are typically aged 13-17 and usually stay for 1-2 weeks. In most cases, they share a twin room. Our adults include short-stay and long-stay students – anything from one week to a whole academic year!
Simply let us know of any dates when you are unavailable and we will take this into account when booking a student with you. We do our best to provide all the details you need, such as the student’s age, sex, nationality, arrival/departure dates, any allergies, medication and dietary requirements, and you are free to accept or decline the booking.
How much can I earn?
Watch Our Video
This depends on room type and board. Examples in Southampton in 2026 are:
- £175 per week for 1 adult (half board)
- £370 per week for 2 juniors in a twin room (full board)
Please see below for more detail on our 2026 payment rates. Further information can be found on our Payment page. Payments indicated below are per student per week.
Regular Homestay
Half board: £175 single room, £165 shared room
Full board: £195 single room, £185 shared room
Executive Homestay (this includes a private bathroom)
Half board: £221 single room, £211 shared room
Full board: £241 single room, £231 shared room
Half board includes breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday, plus all meals at the weekend (a packed lunch if the student is on an excursion). Full board includes the above, plus a packed lunch Monday-Friday.
Your earnings as a homestay host are tax-free up to £7,500 per year. For more information on the government’s Rent a Room Scheme, click here.
Interested in hosting?
Complete our form and we’ll arrange an informal chat!
How to Apply
It’’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Fill in our application form
2. Our homestay officer will arrange a home visit to complete paperwork, answer questions and approve your application
3. Wait for your bookings!
Or feel free to contact our Homestay Officer, Joanne Bell, if you’d like to have an informal chat to find out more.
Joanne Bell
Homestay Officer
jbell@lewis-school.co.uk
07522 771867
How to Apply
It’’s as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1. Fill in our application form
2. Our homestay officer will arrange a home visit to complete paperwork, answer questions and approve your application
3. Wait for your bookings!
Or feel free to contact our Homestay Officer, Joanne Bell, if you’d like to have an informal chat to find out more.
Interested in hosting?
Complete our form and we’ll arrange an informal chat!