Why Colchester needs host families
Colchester was an important Roman town, and its Roman walls still stand, while the castle's great Norman keep houses a museum in the middle of Castle Park. Students can walk through two thousand years of history in an afternoon.
The University of Essex at Wivenhoe Park welcomes students from many countries, and plenty of them benefit from time living with a local family. Direct trains to London also make Colchester an attractive base. Wivenhoe, a riverside village on the River Colne, sits right beside the campus.
Hosting gives you the chance to share your town and your routines with someone from abroad. You choose when your room is available and which students to accept, and a good placement can lead to lasting friendships.
Who you could host in Colchester
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 Colchester 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 Colchester 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 Colchester: common questions
Ready to host in Colchester?
Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. Language schools can find you as soon as your profile is live.