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Your ultimate guide on what to take to uni

Check out this comprehensive checklist of what to take to uni—including paperwork, electronics, stationery, clothes, and household supplies.
7 min read
  • Make sure you have all the important documents, like your passport, university acceptance letter, and any financial aid paperwork.
  • Don’t forget your study equipment: laptop, smartphone, and chargers..
  • Bring analog study materials like notebooks, pens, folders, and whatever else you need to keep organized.
Preparing to go to university is stressful enough without having to deliberate about what to take with you. And with only a limited amount of space, you likely can’t bring everything you own. Besides, half the fun of going to college is getting a fresh start! That said, there are some essentials that should be on every student’s list. From the lecture theater to your dorm room, the admin office and beyond—as a new student, you’ll need easy access to things like important paperwork, electronics, clothing, kitchen utensils, bedroom items, and study essentials.Thankfully, help is here. We’ve put together a definitive checklist on what to take to university—the must-haves, the nice-to-haves, and a few must-avoids. Read on, get your bags ready, and start packing. Our moving calculator can also help you to better calculate your moving costs.

Student life—an endless compromise between practicality and fun

When trying to pack for the next chapter in your life, the list of potential items may seem overwhelming at first. To simplify things, each section in this “What to take to uni” checklist is divided into the essentials—the “must-haves”—and the non-essentials —“the nice-to-haves”. This way, you’ll know what to put in your suitcase first, and what you can add on top if you still have room to spare.

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Paperwork—identification is everything

Paperwork comes in at the top of the list. While you can likely buy many of the everyday items in this guide upon arrival, your local store isn’t going to have an aisle for new passports or lecture timetables. Tip: Keep your bank cards and driver’s license on your person and everything else in a folder out of sight in your room.

Must-haves (8 items):

  • Passport
  • Driver’s license and/or personal ID card (if you have one)
  • University correspondence: acceptance letter, prospectus, textbook/reading list, accommodation information, campus map
  • Correspondence relating to your scholarship, bursary, or grant
  • Bank account details and any recent correspondence from your bank
  • Student loan documents
  • A copy of any medical prescriptions you may have
  • Work/study visas (if applicable)

Nice-to-haves (4 items):

  • Student discount cards (travel, sports, shopping)
  • Additional biometric passport photos
  • A list of mobile phone numbers in case you lose your phone
  • Insurance documents (consider taking out insurance before you arrive)

Electronics—keep them byte-size

You might think the one item you need above all is your laptop. However, studies show that taking your laptop or tablet to class can actually prevent you from learning. When taking notes on a laptop, your brain doesn’t have enough time to process the information as you type, and you may end up falling behind. Instead, we recommend taking a good old pen and pad of paper and leaving everything else in your room for after class. Oh, and don’t forget to put your phone on silent!

Must-haves (5 items):

  • Laptop and charger
  • Smartphone and charger
  • Headphones (for quiet, focused study periods)
  • Extension cable (you won’t know how many plug sockets you’ll have in your room until you get there)
  • USB stick (in case you can’t access your files in the cloud once you’re on campus)

Nice-to-haves (5 items):

  • Wireless mouse, screen, and keyboard (they’ll do wonders for your posture)
  • Power bank for your smartphone while you’re on the go
  • Ethernet cable
  • AAA and AA batteries

Study items—don’t be that person in class asking to borrow a pen

Knowing what to take to uni lectures has two benefits—it leaves you prepared for any in-class eventuality in your first few weeks at college, and means you can focus fully on what your professors are saying. It doesn’t matter whether you’re attending the lecture in person or dialing in online—having what you need to hand can do wonders for your concentration. Note: These are the basics. If you’re studying mathematics, graphic design, etc., the list of must-haves will be more expansive.

Must-haves (4 items):

  • Notebooks (A4, A5)
  • Personal organizer (it’s better not to attempt to keep all deadlines in your head!)
  • Pens, pencils, and highlighters (different colors are a good idea)
  • Lever-arch files to store your work and keep it organized

Nice-to-haves (5 items):

  • Post-it notes
  • Stapler and hole punch
  • Eraser
  • Ruler
  • Plastic wallets (added protection for your notes)

Domestic items—bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen

Here, moderation is the key. Sure, it might be nice to have a full set of kitchenware, but don’t forget that this makes you solely responsible for it—and items like saucepans and Tupperware have a habit of going missing at college. A better idea is to share the cost with a few other students once you arrive. This keeps the costs down and means people are more likely to look after things if they’ve paid for them. And if you do want to take all your own kitchen utensils, be sure to mark them so you can prove they belong to you.

Must-haves (14 items):

  • Bed linen: bedsheets, pillows and cases, a duvet with cover, mattress protector
  • Backpack, weekend bag
  • Clothes horse or washing line
  • Coat hangers
  • Bath towels, dressing gown, and flip flops (if using a communal shower)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, shower gel, soap, shampoo
  • Ear plugs, nail cutters, razors, hairbrush/comb/straighteners
  • Hair dryer
  • A first-aid kit containing: Bandaids, painkillers, bandages, safety pins, tweezers, alcohol-free cleansing wipes, antiseptic cream, insect bite spray, thermometer, antihistamine cream
  • Toilet roll (especially if using a communal bathroom)
  • Medications and personal hygiene products
  • Contact lenses and solution, make-up remover
  • Water bottle

Nice-to-haves (14 items)

  • Speakers 
  • A plant or two (studies show the magic number for plants is actually 10, but your room may be too small for this)
  • A small fan for summer
  • Flashlight
  • Padlock
  • Lighter
  • Drawing pins or sticky tack
  • Desk lamp
  • Cling film/tin foil, Ziploc bags
  • Tupperware
  • Knife, fork, and spoon
  • Scissors
  • Thermos 

Clothing—for lectures, nights out, and everything in between

When it comes to clothes, everybody has their own preferences, so this section offers some general recommendations. When thinking about what to take to uni, just be sure to pack for all seasons and to wear what makes you feel comfortable.

Must-haves (7 items):

  • Underwear and socks
  • Casual clothing (T-shirts, sweatshirts, jogging pants, jeans, etc.)
  • Winter coat, gloves, and hats 
  • Smart outfit for formal occasions
  • Sportswear/swimwear
  • Trainers, boots, and shoes
  • Pyjamas

Nice-to-haves (4 items):

  • Slippers
  • Fancy dress items
  • Raincoat
  • Watch

The must-avoids—what not to take to uni

Every coin has its flip side, and this guide wouldn’t be complete without listing a few must-avoids when deciding on what to take to uni. There are exceptions to the rule, of course, so use your best judgement (who knows—perhaps you do need to lug a microwave all the way to college).

Must-avoids (7 items):

  • A printer: one of the small mercies of going to university is that there are libraries, computer hubs, and copy shops everywhere, so there’s no need to spend hours trying to sync your printer with your dorm’s wireless network.
  • Your car: first, you’ll either have to pay for a parking space or find one on the street every time you return from lectures. Second, you’ll have to pay for gas. Third, you’ll be a taxi service to everybody on campus. While at uni, public transport is your friend!
  • Multiple coats and/or pairs of shoes: coats are bulky and take up a lot of space in your luggage, so think about whether you truly need a different one for every day of the week. The same applies to shoes. That pair of Louboutins or Yeezy 700s that you keep in a box at the back of the cupboard? Leave them behind.
  • Small appliances: that kettle, toaster, or microwave you’re trying to stuff into a box? Forget it. If you’re in a dorm, these appliances will be available in the kitchen or communal area. Renting a room in a house? It’s highly likely the landlord will provide them.
  • Old schoolwork: look forward, not back
  • Anything bulky
  • Books: Go to the library! Plus, there’ll be plenty of book fairs for you to stock up on new ones

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