What to take to uni: your university packing list

Moving to university is exciting and intimidating in equal measure. You can't wait to get there, meet your new friends and get to know your new environment. But before you begin your new chapter, you have to pack your bags and figure out what to take to uni. There are a lot of logistics that go along with starting university!

Luckily for you, we've pulled together a first-year university packing list to so you’ll know what stuff to take to uni. Read our university shopping list and you’ll have one less thing to think about as you prepare to move.

We've broken down university essentials into a few key topics:

• The big stuff
• The everyday stuff
• The small (but important) stuff
• The fun stuff
• Helpful stuff to bring
• What to do if you don't have everything you need
• What to bring to uni FAQ

We classify the ‘big stuff’ as the absolute essentials. To start making your list of what to take to uni, look at what essentials come with your student accommodation. Depending on what's already there, you might need to bring more (or less) from home.

• Cooking equipment – frying pans, saucepans, baking trays, spatulas, knives, chopping boards and baking tins
• Cutlery and crockery – plates, bowls, knives, forks, spoons, glasses, cups and mugs
• Tea towels
• Bottle opener, corkscrew and can opener
• Bin bags
• Tin foil and cling film
• Scissors

Most university accommodation will come furnished with a bed, desk (and chair) and wardrobe or chest of drawers. However, always double-check before you set off in case you need to bring any furniture. You're more likely to need to provide your own furnishings if you're going to be renting private accommodation, which is more common in second, third and fourth years.

• Bedding – check whether you need to bring your own duvet and pillow
• Bedsheets and mattress protector
• Coathangers
• Blanket
• Bedroom bin
• Washing airer
• Laundry basket

• Hand towels
• Shower towels
• Bath mat, depending on your bathroom-sharing situation

We recommend doing a big grocery shop at the start of freshers' week. That way, you can enjoy your new busy schedule safe in the knowledge that you’ve got snacks in the fridge for those nights you get home late.

On top of food, you should put the following on your first-year university packing list:

• Everyday outfits (ie. trousers, skirts, tops and jumpers)
• One or two smarter outfits for events or job interviews
• Gym and sportswear or swimwear (if you plan to swim)
• Pyjamas and a dressing gown
• Shoes, including trainers, slippers and flip-flops or slides
• Coats, jackets and a raincoat
• Umbrella
• Hat, scarf and gloves
• Your watch (if you’ve got one)
• Jewellery and hair accessories

• Roomy bag for carrying your laptop and books around campus
• Folders, notebooks, a calendar and pens – unless you're 100% digital with your note-taking
• Books from your course's reading list that you need for the start of term

• Medicines and prescriptions – it's always handy to have some paracetamol on hand too, just in case
• Supplements, if you take them
• Contraception, if you need it
• Your toothbrush – and charger, if it's electric
• Skincare
• Makeup
• SPF
• Haircare, including shampoo, conditioner, serums, hairbrushes and styling tools
• Your razor and grooming tools, if you use them
• Perfume or aftershave, if you use it

Again, some cleaning items may already be in your accommodation. Check what's available, but in general, it's a good idea to bring:Surface cleaner

• Bleach and toilet cleaner
• Cleaning cloths, wipes, brushes and dusters
• Laundry detergent
• Washing up liquid
• Iron or steamer
• Vacuum cleaner and mop – if not provided by your accommodation

It's worth sweating the small stuff when it comes to packing. Often, the smallest things are the most important. Here's our list of small university essentials to remember.

• Your bank card
• Your ID, eg. your driver's licence
• Discount cards and loyalty cards, eg. for supermarkets
• Your student card, if you already have it
• Your rail card, bus pass or travel pass

• Your phone
• Your laptop or tablet, if you’ve got one
• Headphones
• Fitness tracker, if you’ve got one
• Bluetooth speaker, if you'd like to bring one
• Remember to bring your chargers for each item!

• Glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses
• Your passport – you might need it for travel, ID or for securing your accommodation for the next academic year
• Documentation about your university acceptance, new bank account or new address
• Your new keys!

Once you've got everything you need, you can focus on the things you want – just for fun.

• Classic student decoration: posters!
• Mood lighting – think about desk lamps, floor lamps or fairy lights for when you don't want to use the 'big light'
• Photos of family and friends
• Scented candles or diffusers
• Souvenirs or sentimental trinkets

• TV or monitor – some students take one to uni so that they can have a larger screen in their room
• Game console, like an Xbox, if you’ve got one you'd like to use at university
• Pack of cards or other games
• Books
• Items for your hobbies – whether that's a musical instrument or a set of paints

These items might not be the top of your list, but they can be very helpful in student life.

• Extension cable
• Tupperware or other food storage tubs
• Reusable flask or coffee cup – you can often get a discount at cafes if you bring your own keep-cup
• A water bottle that stays cool
• A couple of storage trays or baskets
• A mini whiteboard and marker pen
• Sticky notes
• Hot water bottle

If you read through our first-year university packing list and realised you don't have everything, don't panic. Start by asking your family and friends if they have anything they can lend to you during term time. Once you've gathered what you can, plan what you need to add to your university shopping list.

Remember that you don't need to buy everything new. While there are some things you’ll need to buy new for hygiene or health and safety reasons (like razors or hot water bottles), you can buy lots of stuff from your university packing list second-hand. Around most university cities and campuses, there's a whole second-hand economy of students and graduates selling things they no longer need. Check out Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle or join groups for students in the area. You might even find people giving away furniture or books for free.

If you don’t have any luck online, charity shops are a great resource for affordable homeware, decoration and clothes.

Happy packing!

If you’re moving out for university, you need everything you’d usually need for day-to-day living and specific items to aid studying.

So, you’ll need household items for your new kitchen (eg. cooking equipment, cutlery and crockery), bedroom (eg. bedding) and bathroom (eg. towels). You’ll also need other everyday items like your clothes, personal care products (including any prescription medication) and cleaning supplies. Plus, you’ll need essential belongings like your ID, keys and electronics (eg. your phone and laptop).

In addition, you’ll need to bring some uni-specific items such as books for the start of term, stationery for notetaking and any required documents about university acceptance.

On top of everything you need, you should also think about the items you want. For example, you might take photos of family and friends to make you feel more at home.

You don’t need to wear specific clothing when attending university, so you just need to bring your normal clothes.

Pack a variety of clothing that covers different weather conditions and activities. Consider everyday wear for socialising and attending lectures (like T-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, casual dresses), sportswear for going to the gym or exercising at home and a few favourites for special occasions. It’s also good to pack some smart clothing for potential job interviews.

You should also keep in mind how often you’ll be able to wash your clothing. If you don’t have easy-to-access laundry services, you might want a larger variety of clothing so that you can build up a larger load for a wash.

If you’re focused on packing university essentials and a few nice-to-haves, you probably aren’t packing too much. It might seem like you’re taking a lot of stuff to university, but you’re going to be living somewhere new. Your university packing list is going to be a lot longer than your holiday suitcase checklist. You don’t just need clothes; you need cooking equipment, cleaning supplies and maybe even furniture. It’s no wonder that it seems like a lot!

However, if your university list of things to take feels overwhelming, there are some things you can do to reduce it. Firstly, if you’ll be living with others and know who they are, you can check in to see if you can share things to reduce duplicates. After all, you don’t all need to bring a vacuum cleaner for one flat. Secondly, if you’re going to be going back to your old home between terms, think about whether there’s anything you can leave there for now and bring another time. While UK weather is notoriously unpredictable, you probably don’t need to take your biggest winter coat in September if you’re visiting home in October.