Which parts of Plymouth suit hosting best?

Homes with a direct bus into the city centre are ideal. Areas such as Mutley, Mannamead and Peverell are close to the centre, but suburbs like Plympton and Plymstock can work well too.

Are there costs for registering as a host in Plymouth?

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

Can families across the Tamar in Saltash host?

Yes. Saltash has train and bus links into Plymouth, so schools may consider families there when the journey suits.

What do students get up to in Plymouth?

Walking on the Hoe, exploring the Barbican, visiting the National Marine Aquarium, and trips to Dartmoor and Cornish beaches.

Become a Host Family in Plymouth

Why Plymouth needs host families

From the Hoe, students can look out over Plymouth Sound, then walk down to the Barbican's cobbled streets and the Mayflower Steps, where the Pilgrims set sail in 1620. Dartmoor is on one side of the city and the Cornish coast on the other.

The University of Plymouth brings students from across the world, and English courses add many more. For a lot of them, living with a local family is the quickest way to grow in confidence and feel part of the city.

Ocean City life has a lot to share, from Sunday walks on the Hoe to fish and chips on the Barbican. A student staying with you gets all of that, along with the daily English practice they came for.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Plymouth

Who you could host in Plymouth

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

Summer by the Sound

In summer, younger students come for short courses, with plenty of time spent on the waterfront and on trips across Devon and Cornwall.

Adults all year

Adults on general and exam courses study in Plymouth throughout the year, often staying several weeks or longer.

Pre-sessional and foundation students

Students preparing for university study may stay with a family for a term or more while they strengthen their academic English.

Where you could host

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

Mutley

Mannamead

Peverell

Hartley

Lipson

Mount Gould

Stoke

Crownhill

Plympton

Plymstock

Saltash

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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth: common questions

Ready to host in Plymouth?

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 Plymouth