Why Birmingham needs host families
From the Bullring and the Library of Birmingham to the canals around Brindleyplace and the Jewellery Quarter, the city centre gives students plenty to explore. Its universities, including the University of Birmingham in Edgbaston and Aston University in the city centre, attract students from all over the world, many of whom first need to strengthen their English.
Birmingham sits at the heart of the rail network, with fast trains to London and direct routes across the country, so students can travel widely during their stay. Within the city, buses, local trains and the West Midlands Metro tram connect suburbs such as Selly Oak, Harborne and Moseley with the centre.
Families who host here help a student settle into a big, diverse city where they might otherwise feel lost at first. Sharing meals, local tips and everyday conversation makes a real difference to how quickly someone finds their feet, and you choose which students to accept and when.
Who you could host in Birmingham
You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.
How it works
1. Register for free
Create your host profile in a few minutes. There are no fees or subscriptions.
2. Get found by schools
Language schools that place students in and around Birmingham search for hosts by location, rooms and availability.
3. Welcome your student
A school contacts you directly to arrange a placement. You decide which students you accept.
Earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free
Under the government's Rent a Room scheme, income from hosting students in your Birmingham home is tax-free up to £7,500 a year.
- Applies whether you own or rent (with your landlord's permission)
- Claim it with a single tick box on your tax return
General guidance only. Read more on GOV.UK
Hosting in Birmingham: common questions
Ready to host in Birmingham?
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.