

Your Must-Have Uni Essentials Checklist
Your go-to list of what to take to uni.
You’ve got the grades, got your uni halls bagged, and now it’s down to that final all-important question…What to take to university? Don’t you wish there was a uni shopping list to help you out?
Our recent Freshers report revealed that 64.4% of you are worried about moving to uni and making new friends – so let’s take one element out of the equation there. If you’re moving to university halls in time for freshers, we’re here to help with exactly what to pack – so that’s one less thing to worry about. Packing for uni doesn’t have be a chore as long as you know exactly what (and what not) to take.
So, you can sit back and relax as we’ve put together the ultimate uni shopping list of what you need for your bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and everything else, even down to how to keep your belongings safe. It’s time to get prepped for your first year with the ultimate uni packing list, so let’s get started.
Want the details on everything you need to know as a first year? Check out our Freshers Guide.
Last updated: 9th September 2024
In this guide:
- Before you pack
- Documents and important items to take to uni
- Student bedroom essentials
- Bathroom essentials for uni
- Kitchen essentials for uni
- Electricals checklist
- Clothing checklist
- Studying essentials

What to take to uni — uni shopping list
Before you pack
This might be your first time moving away from home, but that doesn’t mean you have to pack everything but the kitchen sink. Yes, you may be wondering what to bring to university and might be overwhelmed by the impending list of things to buy. But there’s something else you need to do first.
Before thinking about what things to take to uni, it’s a good idea to know that uni rooms aren’t generally known for their excessive square footage, so taking too much stuff might leave you tripping over boxes of extra clothes and stuffed animals.
You’ve also probably got to fit it into a car boot, plus you can always stock up when you get there. Shops exist outside of your hometown, you know.

One list of essentials for university isn’t enough, in fact, it’ll be easy to miss something!
We’ve done the hard work for you and created several lists, broken down into items for each category so you don’t miss a thing. Consider it a university starter pack, if you will.
Shop with our amazing home & utilities student discounts to help save you some extra cash.
Documents and important items to take to uni
This is quite possibly the most important list. You can buy your bedding there, but forgetting your ID might mean you’re going home before you’ve even set foot in a lecture. We recommend getting a big folder for all those important pieces of paper you’re likely to lose.
- Passport/Driving licence (ID)
- Student Finance and scholarship/bursary documents — student finance guide
- Course acceptance letter
- Contents insurance documents
- Bank account information and debit/credit cards — best student bank accounts 2024
- Passport photos
- Medical history (e.g. vaccinations and prescriptions)
- Wallet/purse
- Padlock
- Discount/rail cards — save money on your travel with your student bus and train pass

Student bedroom essentials
Your uni room is where you’ll be spending the majority of your time, whether it’s napping or studying. Your uni halls will have basic furniture (a bed, desk, wardrobe, etc.) but it’s worth checking exactly what they provide, as well as the size of your bed.
- Duvet and duvet covers
- Pillows and covers
- Bed sheets
- Mattress protector
- Laundry bag or basket
- 1-2 storage boxes
- Coat hangers
- Small clothes airer
- Photos and posters to decorate
- Hot water bottle
- Stuffed animals (if you have them)
While we’re on the subject, don’t forget to keep your bed sheet hygiene in check and remember how often you need to change your sheets. It’s probs more often than you’re changing now.
See our full list of student bedroom essentials to add to your uni shopping list.
Bathroom essentials for uni
Depending on whether you’re sharing facilities, you may want to keep your toiletries out of the bathroom when you’re not using them (otherwise you’ll come back to an empty tube of toothpaste). Here are all the things uni students need, but If your bathroom regime is pretty simple, then you can probably skip some things off this list.
- Toilet roll — arguably the most important thing on a uni shopping list.
- Bath towel and hand towel
- Dressing gown
- Slippers/flip flops
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Hand soap
- Shampoo and conditioner
- Shower gel
- Razors/hair removal
- Hairbrush/comb
- Makeup and remover/face wash
- Nail scissors and tweezers
- Mini first-aid kit
- Medication
- Sanitary products
- Contact lenses and solution
- Contraceptives
- Toilet cleaner/wipes
Don’t forget to pack anything you might need to get you through the dreaded freshers flu too — check out our guide on how to survive freshers flu for more information.

Kitchen essentials for uni
If you’re in catered halls, you can skip all but the basics here; a couple of mugs, bowls, and spoons will probably get you by (plus, you can always borrow someone else’s). In a shared flat, you’ll have way more pans and plates than 5 people could ever possibly need.
Speaking to your flatmates before you move in is ideal (though not always possible) because you can split the list up to save money. It’s also worth waiting until you’re there to do a food shop so that you can gauge how much storage space you have.
Here are all the uni kitchen essentials you’ll ever need:
- Cutlery set
- Plate
- Bowl
- Glass
- Mug
- Sharp knife
- Scissors
- Food containers
- Bottle opener
- Wooden spoon
- Spatula
- Saucepan
- Frying pan
- Chopping board
- Tea towel
- Dishcloth
- Washing up liquid
- Peeler
- Cheese grater
- Measuring jug
- Foil
- Bin bags
- Flask/water bottle
Check out our 26 uni kitchen essentials for an in-depth list of what to take to uni.
Electricals checklist
Whatever you do, don’t forget your laptop or phone charger (and don’t pack it right at the bottom of a bag you don’t plan on unpacking for a while either).
- Phone and charger
- Laptop, charger, and case — check out the best laptops under £300.
- Ethernet cable
- Multi-socket extension lead
- Headphones
- Speakers
- Games console
- Batteries
- All other chargers
Shop with Student Beans for electronics student discounts.

Clothing checklist
If you’re into your clothes, then this may be a bit basic for you, but the idea here is to have the clothes you need to survive that long walk to campus and the shoes you can dance all night in.
- Pyjamas and dressing gown
- Socks, tights and underwear
- Winter coat
- Raincoat
- Trainers
- Heels or smart shoes — we’ve got all the different types of shoes to pack for university
- Suit/black tie dress
- T-shirts and tops
- Shirts
- Jeans and trousers
- Jumpers and jackets
- Gym kit and swimming kit
- Gloves, hats, scarves
- Bag/rucksack/handbag
- Fancy dress outfits
Use our Crocs student discount for savings on the comfiest shoes.
>> See our essential list of going out outfits and night out shoes for students
Study essentials
Uni stationery is essential because, at some point, you’ll have to put down the drink and actually do some work. When this finally happens, you’ll be happiest if you have everything that you need to study well.
Here is the ultimate uni stationery list to ensure you don’t miss a thing:
- Pens and pencils
- Stapler and staples
- A4 writing pad
- Ring binders
- Ruler
- Pencil case
- Highlighters
- Calculator (depending on your course)
- Student planner
- White tack
- Textbooks
- Printer paper
- Calendar
- Scissors
While these uni essentials lists above might look a little overwhelming, remember that you’ve probably already got half this stuff. For anything you’re missing, check out our student discounts and deals across all student essentials to get you set up without breaking the bank.
What not to take to uni
While there are lists and lists above of things you should take to uni, there are plenty of things you won’t need or won’t be allowed to keep, especially if you’re staying in halls.
Kitchen appliances
First off, it’s worth noting that most student houses and hall will already be kitted out with things like a kettle, toaster, hob and fridge so you don’t need to bring any of those. Check with your halls or on your tenancy agreement to see what’s provided and you could save yourself a bit of money.
Secondly, there may be some items that you’re simply not allowed to have in halls as they haven’t been tested and certified by an electrician. This can include George Foreman grills, airfryers and other electrical items that you’d use in the kitchen. Check with your accommodation to see what you are and aren’t allowed to bring to uni.
An iron and ironing board
First off, we’ve never met a first-year who irons their clothes before wearing them, so if you do then kudos to you. However, should you ever need to iron a shirt, let’s say, for a formal, then you’ll probably find an iron in your communal area in your halls or in the laundry room that you can use.
Large furniture
University halls and even private accommodation will most likely provide you with all the necessary furniture. You don’t want to be tripping over extra chairs in your uni room so check what you’ll have in your room and common areas before you buy any more.
We can guarantee you’ll have a bed and somewhere to store your clothes and personal items. You’ll also almost certainly have a desk and chair and you may even already have a mirror and shelves too. Check your room inventory before you purchase any other furniture.
Your pets
This may seem obvious if you’re thinking of the family dog but we’re talking little critters that you may feel like you’ll get away with. We can tell you now that your hamster will not thrive in halls with a bunch of first years and if they escape, you can expect to never see them again.
All your clothes
Unless you don’t plan to go back home until next summer, you really don’t need to be packing all your clothes. Think about what you’ll need between now and the next time you go home and then you can always get some things posted or pick them up on your next trip home.
We know it can still be pretty warm in September but you are coming into autumn pretty sharpish after you settle in, so think woolly jumpers and coats over bikinis and cute vest tops.
Irreplaceable valuables
A big part of the uni experience is sharing your space with virtual strangers (until you get to know them, obviously). But basically, you can’t control who’s walking into your halls every minute of every day, so it’s best to be cautious. While it’s totally fine to take some jewellery, we’d suggest leaving important pieces like your nan’s engagement ring or anything else that’s high value (sentimental or otherwise) at home.
How to keep your belongings safe
That last point leads very nicely onto how to keep your belongings safe. While we suggest leaving anything totally irreplaceable and of high sentimental or monetary value at home, we know that can’t be possible for everything.
The first thing you need to do is get contents insurance for your uni room. There are plenty of providers out there specifically for students and you can either pay for the whole year or on a monthly basis if that works better for you. It’s important to note that you’ll often only be covered by your insurance if your room is locked, so ALWAYS lock your room when you leave. We’ve done a whole guide on student contents insurance that you should definitely check out before you move in.
Secondly, keep valuables out if sight when you’re out. Don’t leave your laptop on your desk in the window, put it in a drawer when you go out. Keep jewellery packed away in a drawer and keep other tech out of sight too when you’re out and about.
You could also invest in a small safe to store your jewellery, passport and any other small items if this makes you feel more secure.
And that’s our moving to uni checklist complete! It’s nice to see everything broken down, right!?
Head to student life on our blog for more student advice and guidance.