Summer schools abroad use four main types of accommodation: university campus residences, boarding-school campuses, student residences and homestay. Campuses and residences keep the group in one place and make supervision easier; homestay increases daily language practice but needs a transport plan. The right choice depends on the group’s age and size, the program’s goals and the budget.
This guide compares accommodation types for school management and project leads and explains their general effect on price. For an overview of program types, see our summer schools page.
What types of accommodation do summer schools use?
These are the types that stand out in providers’ public program information. Not every city has all of them; what is offered depends on the city and the program.
University campus residence
University halls that stand empty over the summer are used for junior programs. En-suite single rooms are common, which gives students a degree of independence. Having teachers in the same building makes supervision easier. Lessons, meals and activities are often on the same site or nearby.
Boarding-school campus
On boarding-school campuses, accommodation, lessons, meals and activities are all in one place. Rooms are mostly shared and teachers stay on the same site. Campuses are often outside the city centre; this gives a calmer set-up but needs a shuttle or public transport plan for trips into town. It suits younger groups especially.
Student residence
Residences can be hotel, resort or campus-type buildings in the city. In Malta’s junior residences, for example, rooms are mostly for 3-4 students and full board is served; teachers stay in the same building or nearby. City residences stand out for being close to city activities.
Homestay (with a language school)
With homestay, students live in a family home selected and organised by the program and attend lessons at a language school in the city. It is valuable for using the language all day and getting to know local life. Students often travel to school by public transport or on foot. In school groups students may be spread across several homes in small groups, which calls for a different supervision set-up.
Other options: Some cities also have academic programs with residential stays in historic university colleges, or unusual options such as countryside camps and castle residences. These usually target a specific age and goal.
How do accommodation types compare on supervision, language practice and transport?
The table below is a general comparison. The actual set-up varies by program and city, and the details should be confirmed in writing at the offer stage.
| Accommodation type | Supervision | Language practice | Transport | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University campus residence | Group in the same building; teachers nearby | In shared spaces with international students | Lessons and activities often on the same site | Upper middle school and high school; groups ready for some independence |
| Boarding-school campus | Concentrated on one site, close supervision | In on-campus activities | Shuttle or public transport plan for trips into town | Primary and middle school; groups who want to stay together |
| Student residence | Group in the same building; teachers in the building or nearby | In class and activities; limited in the accommodation | City residences are close to city activities | Middle and high school; groups who want a city experience |
| Homestay (with a language school) | Students in different homes; supervision organised differently | Highest; the language is used all day | Daily journey between home and school | High school and some middle school groups; language practice as a priority |
The general takeaway: the younger the group, the more set-ups with supervision in one place stand out; the older the group and the stronger the language goal, the more homestay makes sense.
How should accommodation be chosen by age group?
Age is one of the most decisive factors.
- Primary (ages 8-11): A campus or residence where supervision is concentrated in one place is usually the more comfortable choice. Homestay can be considered only where the group stays in the same area and the people responsible are with the children every day. See our primary ages 8-11 page for details.
- Middle school (ages 12-14): A campus, residence or supervised homestay are all possible. With homestay, the school group needs to be placed in homes close to each other.
- High school (ages 15-17): Homestay, residence and campus options are all possible. Independence grows, but curfew and meeting arrangements remain clear.
Group size matters too. With large groups it can be hard to keep everyone in one area on a homestay program. In that case a campus or residence may be easier to manage for supervision and the daily flow.
How does accommodation vary by city?
Each city offers different accommodation types. Based on the general information on our city pages, some examples:
- London: University campus residences, boarding-school campuses, residences and homestay. Because the city is large, the journey between home and school can be long with homestay.
- Oxford: Two main forms, homestay and historic university college. See our Oxford page for details.
- Dublin: Homestay (with a city language school), boarding-school campus and school residence. Boarding and residence options make supervision easier, at a higher cost. See Dublin.
- St Julian’s and Sliema (Malta): Junior residence and homestay; for groups a residence is usually preferred for easier supervision. See St Julian’s and Sliema.
- Berlin: Residence, university campus residence and homestay; lakeside camps use camp accommodation. Homestay is an effective and more affordable option for daily German use.
In Germany, programs are planned as language school and educational trips rather than summer schools.
How does accommodation type affect the price?
Accommodation type is one of the main items that set a program’s price. The general pattern: campus, residence and camp options that keep the group in one place with full board and an activity program are often priced higher, while homestay can be the more affordable choice in some cities. Academic programs in historic university colleges are a separate and clearly higher segment.
The table below shows approximate weekly “from” prices compiled from 2026 and 2027 season price lists published on providers’ own websites (compiled on 4 October 2026). Tuition, accommodation, full board and activities are usually included; flights, visa, insurance and pocket money are not.
| City | Accommodation | Approximate weekly “from” price | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxford | Homestay with a language school | £998 – £1,025 | 2026–2027 |
| Oxford | Academic program in a historic university college | £3,498 | 2027 |
| London | Standard junior programs (residence, campus, homestay) | £950 – £1,607 | 2026–2027 |
| London | Academic junior program on a boarding-school campus | £2,595 | 2026–2027 |
| Dublin | Homestay, boarding-school campus, residence | €965 – €1,500 | 2026–2027 |
| St Julian’s and Sliema | Residence and homestay | €785 – €1,080 | 2026–2027 |
| Berlin | Residence, campus residence, homestay | €850 – €1,540 | 2027 |
These ranges are a general market picture, not prices for school groups. For your school, the price is settled in the offer according to group size, dates and scope. For all price ranges, see our summer school prices page; for the other items that drive cost, see our group summer school budget guide.
Which assumptions about accommodation can mislead?
The name of an accommodation type does not always say enough about what it includes. When comparing offers, watch out for these assumptions:
- “A campus is always in the city centre.” Boarding-school campuses are often outside town. Transport and travel time for city excursions should be written into the program.
- “Homestay is always more affordable.” It may be in some cities, but the price is set not only by accommodation but by lesson intensity, activities and transfers.
- “A residence is like a hotel.” Junior residences have rules on room sharing, curfew and meals; it is not holiday accommodation.
- “A single room is always better.” For younger groups, shared rooms can sometimes make friendships and settling in easier.
Clearing up these assumptions with concrete questions at the offer stage reduces surprises on the ground.
What should you ask about accommodation at the offer stage?
Accommodation should not be summed up in a single word in the offer. Getting written answers to these questions makes comparison easier:
- What is the accommodation type and location, and how far is it from where lessons take place?
- How many students per room, and what are the bathroom arrangements?
- Where do the chaperone teachers stay?
- What are the meal arrangements, and how are allergies and special diets handled?
- With homestay, how many students stay in each home, and how close are the homes to each other?
- What are the rules on curfew, visitors and rooms?
- How do laundry, towels and bedding work?
- Who is contacted in an emergency at night?
These are also among the questions parents ask most at the information meeting. Having the answers in writing beforehand makes it easier to give parents clear information.
How should accommodation be explained to parents?
For parents, accommodation is directly linked to the safety question. So when you explain the accommodation type, explain the supervision set-up as well as the room: where teachers stay, the evening routine, headcounts and what happens in an emergency. If photos or a short introduction of the accommodation can be obtained from the program, sharing them at the meeting turns abstract worries into concrete information.
How do we support your school’s accommodation choice?
When we design a program for a school group, we propose accommodation options suited to your group’s age, size and goals in the offer, and we set out room arrangements, teachers’ location and the supervision set-up in writing.
If you would like to assess together which accommodation type suits your school, you can see how we work on our For Schools page and get in touch.
Frequently asked questions
Which type of accommodation suits school groups best?
There is no single right answer. Campuses and residences keep the group in one place, which makes supervision easier and usually suits younger ages. Homestay is strong for language practice. The choice is settled in the offer according to the group's age, size and goals.
Do students stay alone with host families?
It depends on the program. In school groups students are often placed in small groups in homes in the same area. How many students share a home and how supervision works are written into the offer and program documents.
Where do chaperone teachers stay?
On campuses and in residences teachers usually stay in the same building or on the same site. On homestay programs the arrangement differs and is set by the program. Ask about this clearly at the offer stage.
How much does accommodation type affect the price?
It can make a clear difference. In the data we compiled from public price lists, for example, there is a large gap in Oxford between language school programs with homestay and academic programs in historic university colleges. For school groups, the price is settled in the offer according to group size, dates and scope.
Are rooms single?
It depends on the accommodation type and the program. En-suite single rooms are common in university residences; rooms on boarding-school campuses are mostly shared, and in Malta's junior residences rooms are mostly for 3-4 students.
Do meal arrangements depend on the accommodation type?
Yes. Campuses and residences usually have a dining hall; with homestay, breakfast and dinner are often eaten at home and lunch is arranged by the program. Allergy and dietary details should be sent in advance with the registration form.