The summer holidays are winding down and that unmistakable "new term" feeling is setting in — new shoes that need breaking in, a bag that's mysteriously already too small, and a list of school supplies as long as your arm.
Whether you're heading into Year 7 for the first time, starting sixth form or college, or just trying to get organised before the first bell rings, this back to school checklist covers everything you need to know: what to buy, what to budget for, and how to actually save money while you do it.
We've pulled this together as the UK's home of student savings, so as well as a full back to school supplies list and our best back to school tips, we've added the current student discounts that can take the sting out of the September shop.
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Your back to school checklist
Before you hit the shops (or the "add to basket" button), it helps to break the job down into categories rather than trying to do it all in one chaotic trip. Here's the order we'd tackle it in.
1. Uniform and PE kit
Start here, because uniform is usually the most expensive single item on the list and the one most likely to need replacing after a growth spurt.
Blazer, jumper, trousers/skirt, shirts or polo tops
PE kit, including a spare pair of trainers for sports
Outdoor coat (August feels a long way from November, but it comes round fast)
Shoes — comfortable enough for a full school day, not just the school run
Name labels for literally everything, because it will get lost
2. School bag and stationery
A back to school supplies list isn't complete without the basics that get used every single day:
A sturdy backpack (padded straps matter more than you'd think for older students carrying laptops)
Pencil case, pens, pencils, highlighters and a good eraser
Exercise books, a planner or diary, and a ring binder or two
A scientific calculator (essential from KS3 onwards)
A reusable water bottle and a lunchbox
3. Tech for school, college or sixth form
The tech list looks different depending on age and school policy, but for GCSE, A-level, BTEC and college students it's increasingly non-negotiable:
Laptop or tablet, plus a protective case
Headphones for revision apps, online lessons or the bus journey
A phone charger that actually survives a term in a school bag
4. Routine and admin
The bits that don't come with a receipt but make just as much difference:
Confirm term dates, INSET days and the first-day timetable
Sort out a morning routine and a realistic bedtime a week or so before term starts
Check bus passes, railcards or bike safety gear if you're travelling independently
Set up (or reset) a homework/revision space at home
Back to school supplies list, by budget
If you want a quick version to screenshot, here's the essentials most UK students need, roughly in priority order:
Uniform and shoes, PE kit, backpack, pencil case with pens/pencils/highlighters, exercise books and a planner, scientific calculator, water bottle and lunchbox, laptop or tablet if required, headphones, and a coat.
Everything after that (extra stationery, desk accessories, a new phone case) is nice-to-have rather than essential — worth knowing if money's tight this September.
Back to school tips that actually help
Shop the list, not the aisle. It's easy to overspend on back to school supplies when everything is dangled at eye level near the tills. Write the list first, based on what you already own, and only buy the gaps.
Buy uniform a size up, sensibly. One size up in blazers and coats can buy you a few extra months before the next growth spurt — but don't go two sizes up, or it just looks (and feels) wrong all year.
Stagger big purchases. Laptops, winter coats and PE kit don't all need to be bought in the same week. Spreading the cost across August and September makes the whole thing far less painful on the bank balance.
Get into a routine before day one. Shifting bedtimes and wake-up times a week ahead of term starting makes the first week back noticeably less brutal than doing it cold on a Sunday night.
Get organised with a system, not just a bag. A simple colour-coded folder system by subject, plus a shared family calendar for deadlines and parents' evenings, saves a lot of last-minute panic later in the term.
Sign up for a student discount before you shop. This is the one most people skip — and it's the easiest way to make the whole list cheaper. More on that below.
If you're heading into college, sixth form or university this year rather than school, our guide on how to budget as a student and our 100 money saving tips for students are worth bookmarking alongside this checklist — they're built for exactly this time of year.
Student discounts to make back to school cheaper
Student Beans is free to join and gives verified students access to discounts at hundreds of UK retailers — including plenty that show up on every back to school list. A few worth checking before you buy:
Tech and laptops: Amazon student discount, Laptops Direct student discount, or browse all laptop and tablet student discounts
Stationery and office supplies: TGJones student discount
Trainers and PE kit: JD Sports student discount, or the full list of shoes and accessories discounts
General shopping and homeware: Argos student discount
Ready for the new term
Getting back to school right isn't about buying everything at once — it's a checklist, a bit of routine, and knowing where to save along the way. Tick off uniform and stationery early, sort the tech and admin closer to the date, and let a few well-timed student discounts do the heavy lifting on cost. Good luck with the new term.
Unlock even more with Student Beans
All your favourite brands at your fingertips, from fashion and beauty to food and drink, available to college and uni students aged 16 and over. Dive into our blog to find tips and advice to help you navigate student life, from applying to uni to life after graduation.
- Sign up for a Student Beans account or log in to start saving on the biggest and best brands.
- Download the Student Beans app to unlock exclusive app-only discounts.
