The ultimate uni packing guide

Heading off to uni can literally feel like you're leaving home forever! But, you're really not. Your stuff will still be at home and your room will still be there.

Our top tip is to pack smart. Halls aren't known for their generous space and you don't need everything you think you do. Remember, you can always go home, there will definitely be shops where you're going and there's always that magical thing called the post if you forget anything!

Plus, depending on where you’re heading, you might be travelling by train. The last thing you want to be doing is lugging a bunch of unnecessary items onto a packed train!

Here's our pretty comprehensive list of everything you will definitely need in your first term at uni and beyond.

Important documents to take to uni

Grab yourself a box file or a folder and keep all of your important documents together. Better still, scan them all into your laptop and keep a file stored in the cloud too! You will definitely need these:

• Passport/Driver's License for ID
• A set of four passport photos - useful for filling in forms and applying for societies etc
• Your university and/or course acceptance letter
• Accommodation information
• Contents insurance documents and your National Insurance number.
• Financial documents such as Student Finance statements or bursary letters
• Bank debit and student discount cards
• Medical records such as vaccination history and prescriptions

Electrical and study kit for uni

In pride of place in your room will be the shrine that is your desk! Make sure you've got everything to pimp it up and keep your studies in check!

• Laptop or desktop computer
• Chargers - phone, tablet, laptop
• Printer & ink
• Stationery. Notebooks, folders, diary/planner, pens, you know the drill!
• Books

Uni bathroom essentials

Bathroom items are vital for uni, whether you’re using a shared bathroom or you’ve got your own space - lucky you! You’ll want to ensure you’ve got all the toiletries you need for the first couple of weeks, but don’t overdo it. Your space might not be big enough to include all the home comforts you’re used to!

• Towels, you should only really need two bath towels, a hand towel and a couple of flannels
• A bath mat
• Laundry bin
• Medication
• Pain killers
• Plasters
• Contact lens solution
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Makeup
• Skincare
• Grooming essentials

Uni bedroom items

Your bedroom will become your sanctuary at uni, so make sure you’ve packed all the bedroom bits that will make your space feel more homely.

• Duvet
• Pillows
• Bed linen
• Mattress protector
• Extension lead
• Coat hangers
• Doorstop
• Soft furnishings including a few cushions and a blanket
• Rubbish bin
• Clothes horse
• A small safe
• Your favourite photos and wall art

Kitchen items

Even if you’ve never cooked before, uni is where it all comes together. It’s likely you’ll need a few kitchen essentials to get you started, but don’t bring too much. If you’re sharing halls with someone else, you could end up with duplicates that will take up lots of space.

• Large pan or wok
• Frying pan
• Small pan for boiling pasta and rice
• Baking tray
• Lasagne dish
• Scissors
• Tongs
• Cheese grater
• Bottle opener
• Tin opener
• Sharp cutting knives
• Pizza cutter
• Wooden spoons
• Colander
• Sieve
• Mugs
• Glasses
• Bowls and plates
• Food storage tubs
• Tea towels
• Food supplies
  • Tea
  • Coffee
  • Milk
  • Bread
  • Eggs
  • Bacon
  • Cereal
  • Biscuits
  • Bananas
  • Alcohol

Cleaning items for uni accommodation

Sadly uni brings big responsibilities, including cleaning up after yourself. It’s worth packing a few cleaning items to make sure you’ve got everything you need to keep your space and your clothes clean and fresh.

• Laundry detergent
• Colour catching sheets
• Antibacterial wipes
• Surface spray
• Washing up liquid
• Washing up sponges

How many clothes to take to uni?

It might be tempting to pack your whole wardrobe so you’ve got options, but most of the time, you’ll be living in your comfiest items. Plus, when your student loan comes in, you can pair it with your UNiDAYS discounts to grab some fresh new threads.

• T-shirts
• Shirts
• Tops
• Dresses/skirts
• Jumpers
• Sweatshirts
• Jeans
• Smart trousers
• Suit jacket
• Raincoat
• Winter coat
• Underwear
• Tights
• Socks
• Gloves
• Hats
• Tie
• Pyjamas
• Trainers
• Smart shoes or heels
• Slippers
• Watch
• Handbag
• Gym clothes
• Swimming kit

Miscellaneous things to take to uni

There are always a few extras you may not have initially thought about. But now we’ve got the basics covered, here are some extra things you might like to take to uni if you’ve got the space.

• Cards (for drinking games)
• Board games
• Storage solutions such as boxes and pen pots
• Hot water bottle
• Rucksack or medium-sized bag
• Umbrella
• Padlock
• Drinking water bottle
• Lighter

Student packing tips

Once you’ve thought about everything you need to pack for uni, it’s time to consider how to pack it. But fear not! With a few handy tips, we’ll have you packing your bags efficiently in no time.

Start early

The sooner you start your packing, the less overwhelming it is. It always takes longer than you think, so if you start a few weeks before you head off, you should be all done with time to spare. Plus, you’ll afford yourself some time to dash to the shop if you’ve forgotten anything!

Break it down

Instead of attempting to do all of your packing in one go, try to break it down over a few days or weekends in the run-up to your leaving date. It’s a good idea to make a list of where you’re putting things as you go and be sure to start with the things you use least often so you don’t need to pull them back out again.

Create a dedicated packing space

If you’ve got space at home that you can use as a dedicated packing station, we’d advise you to do so. Get all your boxes and bags out ready, with a good supply of bubble wrap, packing tape and pens. That way, once you start packing your things, you can easily gain momentum in one clear space.

Roll your clothes

Rolling your clothes takes up much less space than folding, and also prevents you from needing to iron them when you get to uni. Always pop your heavier items on the bottom, followed by your lighter things. You can also make use of the side space by tucking lightweight items down there.

Make use of boxes

If you’ve got some used cardboard boxes lying around, these are great for packing light items. You can fit quite a lot into a cardboard box, and once you’re unpacked, they can either be recycled or stored compactly for something else. Try to avoid placing heavy things in there and instead pop them into wheeled luggage for easier manoeuvering.

Invest in sturdy bin bags

Like cardboard boxes, you won’t need to hold onto bin bags after you’ve used them, making them ideal for space-saving in halls. They’re great for packing light items that can be squashed down in the car, ensuring you can save room for something else! Be sure to buy the sturdy bags though as the lighter ones can rip very easily.

Best places to buy uni kit

With many different things to buy for uni, it can be financially overwhelming. We’ve partnered with several retailers to provide students with awesome discounts on essential uni kit:

• Amazon Prime - 6 months Prime trial and 10% off selected items
• ASOS - 10% off
• Apple - Savings on devices and apps
• Flixbus - 11% off on the app
• Lookfantastic - Up to 21% off selected items
• Schuh - 10% off
• Uber Eats - £10 off your first two orders
• Waterstones - Up to 20% off books