Accommodation in Bournemouth and Poole

Living Accommodation

A photo of homestay kitchenThe College takes the responsibility for arranging your accommodation, if requested, when you first arrive. We have a full-time team looking after International students’ needs. We can offer homestay and information on a range of other types of accommodation.

For students who are new to the UK we strongly recommend that you go into homestay when you first arrive, and our advice would be to stay with the family for the first year. The reason for this is very simple - in a family your English ability will develop very quickly because you are having to listen and speak English all the time. Also family accommodation is strongly recommended for younger students (under 18 years) from the point of safety and security. The College, as a child care organisation, is a member of the Bournemouth and Poole Language Liaison Committee, and are subject to inspection by the Commission for Social Care Inspection (Government body).

A photo of the sort of family home you could stay inOur homestay accommodation is carefully selected and host families are monitored on a regular basis. Students are then matched to a family that suit their requirements. Students will normally be offered a bedroom of their own, although they can share, if this can be arranged. Homestay accommodation also provides breakfast and dinner Monday to Friday and all meals at the weekend. Families will vary in terms of what they offer e.g. free or charged laundry, use of extra facilities, but there is a minimum level of support and service that The College insists on for students. Equally the student should Homestay bedroomunderstand that they are living in a family home and must be sure to observe the rules of the house. The minimum length of stay with a host family is 4 weeks but for students under 18 years of age we require written permission from a parent or guardian before a student moves from College arranged homestay accommodation. Our Accommodation office is available to help with any problems that might occur. 

However, should you still be dissatisfied, then you can approach the Office of Standards in Education (OFSTED) directly, to complain. Their contact details are as follows:

OFSTED,
Freshford House,
Redcliffe Way,
Bristol.
BS1 6NL
Tel: 08456 404040
Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

The cost for homestay accommodation is shown in the tuition fees on the course section of the website.

Download: Under 18's Permission Form

Download: Personal Information / Health Form

Download: Accommodation Application Form

Download: Homestay Accommodation Guide (10Mb)

Download: Advice and Guidance to Host Families (8Mb)

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN, OR WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT, BECOMING A HOST FAMILY, PLEASE CONTACT THE ACCOMMODATION OFFICER ON +44 1202 205317 OR EMAIL studentaccommodation@thecollege.co.uk


Teaching Accommodation

The College has six sites of varying sizes, all of which provide facilities of a very high standard. All classrooms are equipped with whiteboards, overhead projectors and video/TV monitors. They are carpeted and have computer access as standard. The specialist classrooms such as laboratories etc. are all equipped to meet the needs of the curriculum they cover.

To download the Homestay Accommodation Guide, right click the link above and select 'save target as'.

What Our Students Have Said…

Student photo

Wendy Wei, China

Coming to England from China to continue my education has been one of the best things I have ever done. It takes a little getting used to at first, with the differences in culture, language and lifestyle, but Bournemouth is such a multi-national place now that it doesn’t take long to make new friends as well as meeting people from your own country.

The College does everything it can to make you feel welcome, from setting you up with a host family to making sure you are coping with the College environment. If you need extra help with the language then this can be arranged for you - you only have to ask!

There is a good mixture of ages and nationalities at The College which makes it an exciting place to study. The tutors offer support whenever you need it and the staff in the International office are riendly and approachable. They want you to feel as if you belong and this has really given me the confidence to do well at my studies.

I have made many good friends through The College and I shall look back fondly at my time here." Wendy is now studying Economics at Warwick University after having completed her A levels at The College.