Is Milton Keynes easy for students to get around?

Yes. The redway network is ideal for walking and cycling, buses cover the grid estates, and stations at Milton Keynes Central, Bletchley and Wolverton connect the city by rail.

Do Milton Keynes host families pay any fees?

No. HostFamily.uk is free for host families, with no subscription or placement fees.

Can I host if I live in Newport Pagnell or Olney?

Yes. Schools search by location, and towns around Milton Keynes can work well when the journey to class is manageable.

What do students do in their free time in MK?

They visit Bletchley Park, cycle around Willen Lake, shop in the city centre and take the train to London for days out.

Become a Host Family in Milton Keynes

Why Milton Keynes needs host families

Its grid roads, tree-lined redways for walking and cycling, and large parks such as Willen Lake make Milton Keynes easy to get around and pleasant to live in. Bletchley Park, the wartime codebreaking centre, is one of the city's best-known attractions, and London Euston is a short train ride away.

Milton Keynes is home to the Open University's headquarters and many national and international companies, so students here range from professionals improving their English for work to those studying at local colleges. Families on a good bus route or near one of the city's stations suit schools well.

Hosting is a practical way to use a spare room and bring a little of the wider world into your home. Professionals on short courses often want little more than a quiet room, good meals and friendly conversation, while younger students enjoy being part of family life. You choose your availability and your students, and arrange everything directly with the school.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Milton Keynes

Who you could host in Milton Keynes

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

Business English and work placements

With so many companies based in the city, adults improving their English for work often look for a family home during short, focused stays.

College and university students

International students on courses at local colleges and universities sometimes choose homestay over shared accommodation, staying for a term or longer.

Summer groups

Summer programmes in the region bring younger students for a few weeks. Schools explain any requirements for hosting this age group.

Where you could host

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

Central Milton Keynes

Bletchley

Wolverton

Stony Stratford

Newport Pagnell

Olney

Shenley Church End

Westcroft

Great Linford

Willen

Woburn Sands

Broughton

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 Milton Keynes 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 Milton Keynes 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 Milton Keynes: common questions

Ready to host in Milton Keynes?

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 Milton Keynes