Is Wolverhampton close enough to Birmingham for students studying there?

Yes. Trains between the two cities are frequent and the Metro tram offers another direct route, so many homes in Wolverhampton suit students with classes in Birmingham.

Do I pay anything to register as a host in Wolverhampton?

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

Which parts of Wolverhampton work well for hosting?

Homes near the city centre or along bus, tram and rail routes tend to work best, including Tettenhall, Penn, Compton and Bilston. Schools search by location, so they can see how your home fits their students' journeys.

Can younger students stay with hosts in Wolverhampton?

That depends on the school or programme. Each one explains its own requirements, including any for hosting under-18s, when it contacts you.

Become a Host Family in Wolverhampton

Why Wolverhampton needs host families

The University of Wolverhampton brings students from many countries to the city, and some of them come early to build up their English before starting a course. Others study elsewhere in the wider West Midlands and look for a host family with good links into Birmingham.

Getting around is simple. The West Midlands Metro tram runs from Wolverhampton through the Black Country to Birmingham, and trains reach Birmingham New Street quickly. Leafy suburbs such as Tettenhall and Penn offer a quieter setting, while the Staffordshire and Shropshire countryside is close at hand.

Hosting here is about everyday kindness: a hot dinner after a long day, a hand with bus and tram timetables and plenty of conversation. Whether a student stays a few weeks or a whole term, you decide when you are available and which placements to accept.

Host family sharing a meal with an international student in Wolverhampton

Who you could host in Wolverhampton

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

University starters

Students preparing to begin degrees at the University of Wolverhampton may look for a family home during an English or foundation course before term.

West Midlands course students

Adults studying English elsewhere in the region sometimes choose Wolverhampton for a settled homestay with a direct tram or train into Birmingham.

Short summer stays

Summer brings shorter placements of a few weeks, which suit families who would like to try hosting before committing to longer stays.

Where you could host

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

Tettenhall

Penn

Compton

Finchfield

Wednesfield

Bilston

Codsall

Perton

Wombourne

Willenhall

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 Wolverhampton 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 Wolverhampton 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 Wolverhampton: common questions

Ready to host in Wolverhampton?

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 Wolverhampton