Studying full time and balancing your responsibilities as a partner and parent can be very difficult. You need to think carefully about whether or not to bring your family with you. Consider:
- Where you will live
- How you will pay for your family to live in Oxford
- If you will need childcare
- Where your children will go to school
- Whether your family will be entitled to National Health Service (NHS)
- Whether your family speak English
- If your family will miss their friends and family at home.
You will find some useful resources in the sections below.
Immigration
Non-EEA nationals
See Applying for a visa for dependants.
EEA nationals
If you are in the UK as a student and your family are European Economic Area (EEA) nationals or from Switzerland, your family can join you in the UK without any restrictions.
If you are an EEA national but your partner, spouse and children are not EEA nationals, they can also come to the UK with you but need to apply for an EU Settlement Scheme family permit.
For more information, see:
- Family members of EEA nationals (UKCISA)
- EU Settlement Scheme family permit (UKVI).
Accommodation
The University has very little accommodation for families. We strongly recommend students travel to Oxford ahead of their family to secure accommodation. Your family can travel to the UK later. Their vignette or stamp in their passport will show the last date they can arrive in the UK.
Please be aware that living in Oxford is expensive to live. You can expect to pay anywhere between £1500-2500+ per month for a three bedroom house. Often houses available for rent are unfurnished. Cheaper accommodation can be found outside of Oxford, for example in Swindon, but you will need to consider how long it will take to travel to the University for your study.
Many companies will also ask for a guarantor. There are guarantor services such as Housing Hand available online to help overcome this. If you are unable to organise a guarantor, it may be necessary to pay all of your accommodation fees and deposit in advance.
In addition to paying rent, in most casess you will also need to pay monthly bills for gas and electricity (this could be as high as £300-£400), internet, water, and council tax.
You will need to sign a contract, and you are advised to read through all the conditions thoroughly before signing it. The Accommodation Bureau can help you check it.
There are a number of websites that can be used to find housing. We have included these below for your information, but please note that the University does not have any affiliations with these companies.
Some students choose to stay in short term accommodation such as hotels or AirBnB properties while they are searching for somewhere to rent, but this will be more expensive and could cost anywhere between £50-150 per night , depending on the type of accommodation, so please be aware and budget accordingly.
You will need to open a bank account upon your arrival, so please be aware of the following information
See also: Paying Council Tax
For advice and guidance, contact the Accommodation Bureau at accomm@brookes.ac.uk
Healthcare
Your spouse/partner and children can have the same medical care as yourself. For more about health care and insurance for international students and whether you are eligible for free NHS (National Health Service) care, see Health and insurance.
Students with families can register with the St Bartholomew's Medical Centre.
Childcare and schools
Oxford Brookes Nursery
The Oxford Brookes Nursery takes children between the ages of 4 months and 5 years. If you would like your child to go to the nursery, apply as soon as possible before you arrive. Even if you are a student at Oxford Brookes, it does not automatically mean that you will get a place at the nursery as places are limited. Visit the nursery website for information about the nursery and how much it costs.
Other activities for young children
Information about other nurseries toddler groups, playgroups, and registered childminders is available from Oxfordshire Family Information Service:
- 'toddler groups' are opportunities for parents and young children to meet other families, and share activities. They do not provide childcare.
- 'playgroups' are usually run by paid staff and volunteer parents.
- 'childminders' are paid to care for children, usually in the minder's own home.
School education
UK law says that children from 5 to 16 years of age must go to school. State education is free. Oxford schools are used to and welcome children from other countries. The school year is divided into 6 terms starting in early September. Although it is easiest for them to settle in if they start at the beginning of a new term, children can usually join their school whenever they arrive in the UK.
Your choice of school will depend on where you are living, the age of your child and the number of places. you can find more information about schools in Oxfordshire and how to apply for a place from Oxfordshire County Council.
See also: Oxford Baby Base
Work and family members
- EEA and Swiss nationals working during your studies (UKCISA).
- If you are not an EEA national find out more from Dependants: Working (UKCISA).
Estimated living costs
Living costs gives more detail about the estimated amounts for one adult studying at Oxford Brookes.