High School Exchange

There are two ways to complete a short-term high school exchange program in the UK: arranging your own placement directly with a school or participating in an established exchange program. For either method, students are usually required to be currently enrolled in a secondary school with a good level of English language proficiency.

 

Arranging Your Own Placement

Students with an immediate family member living in the UK who is authorized to live or work in the UK may directly enroll in a state-funded school. These students would follow the procedures described on the families moving to the UK page. All other students would need to arrange a placement with a private boarding school.


Exchange Program

Short-term exchange programs last for a summer, semester or academic year and may include a ‘homestay’ where the student lives with a host family during the program. Exchanges can be hosted by an independent or state school. For a list of organisations that sponsor exchange programs, you may wish to visit the EducationUSA website. In addition, you may wish to consult the High School Programs Abroad website.

 

Visas

UK students traveling with their families should enter the US under the visa status of their parents. Most students are eligible if their parents have limited leave to enter or remain in the UK or are teachers coming to the UK with their children on a teacher exchange scheme.


Students traveling to the UK without their parents and participating in an exchange program should determine the appropriate visa required and apply to the nearest UK consular office. Though visa regulations are subject to change, it is likely your child will apply for a Child Visitor Visa or Student Visa.

 

Our staff is not trained to handle specific enquiries related for visa in the UK. Detailed information about the visa requirements and application process for both categories can be found on the BritainUSA and UKVisas websites.

 

For further visa enquiries, you may wish to read the FAQs on the BritainUSA website or contact Worldbridge at +1 900 656 5000 ($3 per minute) or +1 212 796 5773 ($12 flat fee). Please note Worldbridge staff may not provide information about a pending visa application.