ECS Scotland can arrange homestay accommodation with experienced local hosts for adult students booking an English course with us.
Homestay is a good option if you would like more opportunities to use English outside the classroom and experience everyday life in Edinburgh. You can request homestay when you book your course, and we will check availability for your course dates. Availability varies throughout the year, so we recommend requesting it as early as possible, especially for July and August.
Homestay accommodation for adults
Homestay accommodation means living in a local home while you study at ECS Scotland. It can be one of the best ways to make the most of your time in Edinburgh, as you have more opportunities to practise English outside the classroom.
It is also a good way to get to know everyday life and culture in Scotland and Britain. Our hosts are experienced in welcoming adult international students and understand that you may want time to yourself, flexibility to go out and space to enjoy Edinburgh independently.
Homestay gives you a comfortable base, local support and more chances to use English in natural everyday situations.
How homestay accommodation is arranged
You can request homestay accommodation when you complete your booking form. We will then check which hosts are available for your course dates and try to match you with a suitable host.
All ECS Scotland hosts are known to us, and their homes have been visited and inspected. Our hosts are experienced in welcoming adult students and understand the balance between being helpful and giving you your own space.
Many of our hosts are within a 30–35 minute walk of the school. Some students walk each day, while others travel by bus or tram. We allow a maximum journey time of 45 minutes door to door, to allow for traffic, roadworks or busy times.
Homestay is available from the Sunday before your course starts until the Saturday after your course finishes. If your travel plans are outside these dates, please tell us when you book. Extra nights are limited and cannot be guaranteed.
What is a homestay home like?
Homestay homes are different from each other, because each host and household is different. Some hosts live alone, some are couples and some are families with teenagers.
You will have your own bedroom, with a bed, space for your clothes and somewhere to study. You will also have access to shared areas of the home. Wi-Fi, bedding, towels and laundry are included.
Breakfast is included with all ECS Scotland homestay options. You can choose breakfast only, or breakfast and 3 evening meals per week.
If you choose dinner, you will have more time with your host to talk and use English at home. On the other evenings, you can go out, meet other students and enjoy Edinburgh.
You can try local restaurants or pubs, go to the theatre or cinema, listen to live music or join a ceilidh, a traditional Scottish dance event.
Some homestays have a private bathroom and some have a shared bathroom. You can see the different homestay options and prices below.
Many homes in the UK have pets, especially dogs. Please tell us when you book if you have allergies, worries about pets or any other information that may help us match you with the right host.
Homestay with private bathroom
All prices are per person, per week. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, bedding, towels and laundry are included with all ECS Scotland homestay options.
Option 1 – £420 per week
- Private bedroom
- Private bathroom
- Shared living area
- Breakfast each morning
- Dinner 3 evenings each week
- Wi-Fi
- Bedding and towels
- Laundry
Option 2 – £375 per week
- Private bedroom
- Private bathroom
- Shared living area
- Breakfast each morning
- No dinners included
- Wi-Fi
- Bedding and towels
- Laundry
Homestay with shared bathroom
All prices are per person, per week. Breakfast, Wi-Fi, bedding, towels and laundry are included with all ECS Scotland homestay options.
Option 1 – £350 per week
- Private bedroom
- Shared bathroom
- Shared living area
- Breakfast each morning
- Dinner 3 evenings each week
- Wi-Fi
- Bedding and towels
- Laundry
Option 2 – £305 per week
- Private bedroom
- Shared bathroom
- Shared living area
- Breakfast each morning
- No dinners included
- Wi-Fi
- Bedding and towels
- Laundry
Airport transfers
Airport transfers from Edinburgh Airport to accommodation can be arranged at the cost of £75 each way. Please inform the school at the time of booking. Collection from other airports is available on request.
It is very easy to get from the airport to Edinburgh city centre by public transport. There are public taxis outside the terminal, a regular bus service and a tram service.
