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Depending on whether or not you’re a light packer, it can be easy to spend too much money when thinking about what to take to university, especially if you want to ensure you’re prepared for anything. But, remember, university life isn’t much different to normal life back at home – except that at university you won’t have a parent around to iron your favorite t-shirt or buy you toothpaste.
Below is our comprehensive university checklist, covering all the things that any university student could possibly need… plus a few extras. Essentials are listed first and optional things second. Take a good look at the whole checklist and tick each item off while you pack.
University checklist: Important documents
Passport (or other ID)
Driver’s license (if you have one)
All official university correspondence, including acceptance letter
All student loan correspondence (to keep track of when your loan is due, and so you can follow up if necessary)
Details of accommodation and contract
Bank account details and recent bank correspondence
Insurance documents (for international students, who may be required to take out health insurance)
Note: Keep all these things either in your wallet (ID, bank card etc.) or in a safe place within your room. If you keep all your documents together, you’ll always know where to look.
University checklist: Electricals
Laptop or desktop computer
Mobile phone and charger
Extension cable/s (more handy than you might imagine)
USB memory stick (for backing up important assignments)
Desktop printer (with ink and printer paper)
iPod or MP3 player
Headphones
Games console (yes, we’re in the “optional” category now!)
A small TV
Camera
Speakers
Note: With electrical items, be careful to bring only what you know you’ll use. For instance, having your own printer can be handy, but most university libraries will provide student printing services. For items such as games consoles and televisions, ensure your reasoning for bringing them is well justified – you don’t really want to be spending too much time alone in your room, do you? Why not see if you can survive the first term without all those home comforts before making up your mind.
If your electrical products are worth more than you can afford to lose, you should consider taking out insurance before going to university. Sometimes student housing is covered by external contents insurance already, but never assume this.
University checklist: Stationery
Pens and pencils
A4 lined notepad(s)
A4 binder(s)
Highlighters
Post-it notes
Calendar/diary
Paper clips
Stapler
Sticky tape
Course readers and other study books
Note: Don’t be tempted to splash out on overly expensive stationery when you decide what to take to university. You’ll be getting through paper and pens like a mouse through cheese, so stick to a limited budget!
University checklist: Kitchenware
Cutlery (tea spoons, tablespoons, knives and forks – enough for yourself)
Crockery (plates, bowls and mugs – enough for yourself)
Other utensils (e.g. chopping board and sharp knife, wooden spoon, spatula, cheese grater, potato masher, colander, bottle opener, tin opener)
Saucepan and frying pan
Scissors (do not attempt to double up as toenail clippers)
Baking tray
Oven gloves
Tupperware container(s)
Washing up liquid and sponge
Recipe book
Snacks (going to university without biscuits is like going to Barbados without a sunhat)
Note: Often, if living in halls or other shared private accommodation, you will already be provided with a kettle and a toaster, as well as some cutlery and crockery. If in doubt about what you can cross off your university checklist, contact your university’s residential services for more details on what will be provided.
University checklist: Bedroom
Mattress protector
Duvet and pillows (opt for a higher tog duvet – e.g. 13.5/15 tog – you’ll thank me for the tip on those long winter nights)
Duvet cover and pillow covers
Blankets
Laundry bin (doesn’t have to be wicker, a large and strong plastic bag will do!)
Clothes hangers
Alarm clock (as a backup for the day when you inevitably drop your phone down the toilet)
Desk lamp
Ear plugs
Note: Most halls of residences will provide students with standard single-size beds in their first year, but check with your university’s residential services before buying any bedding. Also, the more blankets you have, the better. I don’t remember much about my first year of university, but I do remember it being very, very cold.
University checklist: Clothing
Casual clothes (t-shirts, jumpers, trousers)
Underwear (pants, socks, bras)
Dressing gown and slippers
Winter coat and jacket
Gloves, hat and scarf
Shoes (trainers, smart shoes, casual shoes)
Smart office outfit (for possible part-time job interviews)
Sportswear/swimwear
Fancy dress
University checklist: Bathroom
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Wash bag (especially useful if you’re sharing a bathroom which is a short walk away from your bedroom)
Basic first aid kit (e.g. pain relief tablets, plasters, cold and flu medication, allergy tablets, antibacterial lotion or spray)
Details of current GP and doctor’s surgery
Glasses and prescription
Multivitamins
Birth control pills and/or condoms
Note: All new university students should register with a local doctor’s surgery early on in university life. This will save you having to wait for hours at a drop-in center filling out forms on the day that you’re actually ill.
University checklist: Miscellaneous
Sturdy bag (capable of carrying stacks of books)
Photographs of friends and family
Small sewing kit
Matches or a lighter
Books for personal reading
Films/TV series boxsets
Board/card games (e.g. Monopoly, Hungry Hippos or a pack of cards)
Hair dryer/ hair straighteners etc.
Bike (plus helmet and a strong lock)
If you are still unsure of what to take to university and whether you need to buy anything beforehand, consider going to university with just a very light load. This will make certain you don’t buy anything useless – after all, it will be just as easy to buy what you need once you’re settled in, either on your own or as a group with your new fellow flatmates.
Laura is a former staff writer for TopUniversities.com, providing advice and guidance for students on a range of topics helping them to choose where to study, get admitted and find funding and scholarships. A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Laura also blogs about student life.
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What to take to university
Laura Tucker
Updated Aug 02, 2024Save
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If you’re going to university for the first time this September, you’re probably going to spend the few weeks leading up to your departure frantically trying to decide what to take to university with you.
Depending on whether or not you’re a light packer, it can be easy to spend too much money when thinking about what to take to university, especially if you want to ensure you’re prepared for anything. But, remember, university life isn’t much different to normal life back at home – except that at university you won’t have a parent around to iron your favorite t-shirt or buy you toothpaste.
Below is our comprehensive university checklist, covering all the things that any university student could possibly need… plus a few extras. Essentials are listed first and optional things second. Take a good look at the whole checklist and tick each item off while you pack.
University checklist: Important documents
Note: Keep all these things either in your wallet (ID, bank card etc.) or in a safe place within your room. If you keep all your documents together, you’ll always know where to look.
University checklist: Electricals
Note: With electrical items, be careful to bring only what you know you’ll use. For instance, having your own printer can be handy, but most university libraries will provide student printing services. For items such as games consoles and televisions, ensure your reasoning for bringing them is well justified – you don’t really want to be spending too much time alone in your room, do you? Why not see if you can survive the first term without all those home comforts before making up your mind.
If your electrical products are worth more than you can afford to lose, you should consider taking out insurance before going to university. Sometimes student housing is covered by external contents insurance already, but never assume this.
University checklist: Stationery
Note: Don’t be tempted to splash out on overly expensive stationery when you decide what to take to university. You’ll be getting through paper and pens like a mouse through cheese, so stick to a limited budget!
University checklist: Kitchenware
Note: Often, if living in halls or other shared private accommodation, you will already be provided with a kettle and a toaster, as well as some cutlery and crockery. If in doubt about what you can cross off your university checklist, contact your university’s residential services for more details on what will be provided.
University checklist: Bedroom
Note: Most halls of residences will provide students with standard single-size beds in their first year, but check with your university’s residential services before buying any bedding. Also, the more blankets you have, the better. I don’t remember much about my first year of university, but I do remember it being very, very cold.
University checklist: Clothing
University checklist: Bathroom
Testimonials
University checklist: Healthcare
Note: All new university students should register with a local doctor’s surgery early on in university life. This will save you having to wait for hours at a drop-in center filling out forms on the day that you’re actually ill.
University checklist: Miscellaneous
If you are still unsure of what to take to university and whether you need to buy anything beforehand, consider going to university with just a very light load. This will make certain you don’t buy anything useless – after all, it will be just as easy to buy what you need once you’re settled in, either on your own or as a group with your new fellow flatmates.
Image credits: Chris Bianchi; JimBobArt
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Laura is a former staff writer for TopUniversities.com, providing advice and guidance for students on a range of topics helping them to choose where to study, get admitted and find funding and scholarships. A graduate of Queen Mary University of London, Laura also blogs about student life.
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