Chichester, West Sussex

    Become a Host Family in Chichester

    Chichester is a small cathedral city between the South Downs and the sea, with a university and good rail links along the coast. Local families can register for free to host international students in the area.

    Register free as a host family

    Photo: Evgeniy Podkopaev, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Why Chichester needs host families

    The cathedral spire, the Roman walls and the Market Cross give Chichester's centre a distinctive character, while Chichester Harbour and the sands at West Wittering are close by. It is a city small enough to explore on foot, which students tend to appreciate.

    The University of Chichester brings students from overseas, and the city sits on the coastal railway line linking Portsmouth, Worthing and Brighton. Families here can be a good fit for students who want a peaceful home while studying in the area.

    Hosting from Chichester is often about offering a calm, welcoming household. Many hosts enjoy introducing students to local life, from the Festival Theatre to a walk around Bosham, and you stay in control of when you host. Schools contact you directly, so you can talk through each placement before saying yes.

    Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Chichester

    Who you could host in Chichester

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

    Students wanting a quieter stay
    Some learners prefer a smaller city to a busy resort, and a family home in or near Chichester can offer exactly that.
    University-linked students
    International students connected to courses at the University of Chichester may look for a family home, particularly at the start of their time in the UK.
    Short summer visits
    During the holidays, students on short courses along the Sussex and Hampshire coast sometimes need hosts within easy reach by train.
    Where you could host
    Schools look for homes within easy reach of their classes. These are some of the areas in and around Chichester.
    Chichester city centre
    Summersdale
    Parklands
    Whyke
    Donnington
    Fishbourne
    Bosham
    Lavant
    Westhampnett
    Oving
    Bognor Regis
    Selsey

    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 Chichester 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 Chichester 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 Chichester: common questions

    Ready to host in Chichester?

    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 Chichester