Is there any charge for Canterbury families who sign up?

No. Host families register on HostFamily.uk for free, and there are no subscription or placement fees.

Which parts of Canterbury suit students best?

Homes within a short walk or bus ride of the city centre are popular with schools. Villages such as Sturry, Blean and Bridge also work well where bus links into the city are good.

Can I host if I live in Whitstable or Herne Bay?

Often, yes. Both towns have regular buses into Canterbury, so schools may consider hosts there. Each school decides how far it is happy for students to travel.

Will a student staying with me be near the universities?

The University of Kent sits on the hill above the city and Canterbury Christ Church University is close to the centre, so homes on the north and east sides of Canterbury are handy for both.

Become a Host Family in Canterbury

Why Canterbury needs host families

Few English cities pack so much history into such a walkable centre. The cathedral, the medieval walls and the narrow streets along the River Stour give students something new to discover every day, and high-speed trains to London St Pancras make weekend trips easy.

Canterbury is a well-known destination for English language learning, and it is also home to the University of Kent and Canterbury Christ Church University. That mix brings a steady flow of students, from teenagers on summer courses to adults preparing for degree study.

For a host family, the reward is often the everyday conversation: helping someone order at the market, explaining a British habit over dinner, or hearing about their home town. A spare room can also bring in welcome extra income. Many hosts find that a few weeks of shared meals leave them with a friend in another country.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Canterbury

Who you could host in Canterbury

You choose the ages, lengths of stay and dates that suit your household.

Teenagers on summer courses

In July and August, younger students arrive for short courses mixing lessons with visits around Kent. Their stays are usually brief, which makes them a gentle introduction to hosting.

Adults learning year-round

Adult learners come throughout the year for general English, exam preparation or career reasons, staying anything from a fortnight to a few months.

Students heading to university

Some students take pre-sessional or foundation courses before starting degrees, and may look for a family home for a whole term.

Where you could host

Schools look for homes within easy reach of their classes. These are some of the areas in and around Canterbury.

Canterbury city centre

St Dunstan's

Wincheap

Thanington

Hales Place

St Stephen's

Harbledown

Sturry

Blean

Chartham

Bridge

Herne Bay

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 Canterbury 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 Canterbury 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 Canterbury: common questions

Ready to host in Canterbury?

Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.

Host families are also needed near Canterbury