FAQs - International Students

It depends. Legally, you can live alone if you are over 16. If you intend to rent, most landlords/ property management companies won’t rent to under 18s. Students over 18 who intend to rent will need a ‘guarantor’.

The other consideration is the policy of your school/education provider. For example, many independent college’s require students under 18 to live with a ‘responsible adult’. Over 18s may be permitted to live alone if they have a guardian (which could be a professional educational guardian).

UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) does not require international students to have a guardian. A ‘Nominated Guardian’ may be required in certain circumstances.

School’s/ education provider’s may require international students to have a guardian in place - a contractual obligation imposed by the school/ provider.

Property search companies exist to assist with finding international students a suitable place to live before they arrive in the UK.

If you will be studying in London, contact us - we have an expert property search service available.

In general terms, an Educational Guardian supports a child's welfare and educational journey whilst in the UK, providing a parental role in the absence of a parent close by. The Educational Guardian tends not to live with the student, but they offer pastoral, academic, and logistical support as needed. Very often, Educational Guardianship is provided by a professional Guardianship Organisation. These organisations vary in size and focus. They tend to allocate a named person (guardian) to a student and will organise accommodation outside of term time if and when it is needed.

A Legal Guardian is someone who has formal legal responsibility for a child. Formal legal responsibility almost always lies with parents but orphaned children or those in the care of the authorities might have a legal guardian appointed by the courts.

An Educational Guardian supports a child's welfare and educational journey whilst in the UK, providing a parental role in the absence of a parent close by.

School’s/ education provider’s often require international students to have a guardian in place as a ‘back up’ - so that if an emergency arises or if a student needs to temporarily move out of their accommodation, there is someone to contact that can take care of such matters.

More than this though, an Educational Guardian can provide welfare support and academic guidance, working with the student, school and parents, to ensure the very best outcomes.

It depends on the school’s/ education provider’s policy. Usually a school will provide specific criteria as to who can act as a guardian. This often includes an age restriction (over 25) as well as the guardian having a British passport and living in their own home. The guardian does not usually have to be a professional educational guardian.