University checklist: What to pack for students moving away

If, like many university students, you haven’t lived away from home before, you might be struggling to condense your favourite things into a few boxes.

Are you unsure where to start? With the help of UCAS’ university checklist, you can begin packing for your new adventure.

While you’ll want to be prepared for living in university accommodation, most cities will have shops where you can grab any bits you've forgotten.

Students might want to add some decorations to their room to make them feel at home, including photos and plants (Image: Getty Images)

Everything you should pack when heading to university

Here’s everything you should pack to take to university with you, according to the UCAS website.

Bedroom

Usually, your halls of residence will have the basics in the bedroom, including a bed and mattress, desk and chair plus a wardrobe for your clothes.

Things you’ll need to pack:

• Duvet, duvet cover and sheets – make sure you check what size bed you have before buying these.
• Mattress protector
• Pillows and pillowcases
• Home comforts to spruce up your room – perhaps a rug or some cushions
• Decorations so you feel at home in your new flat – photos of loved ones in frames, fairy lights, teddy bears
• Photos and posters – UCAS advises taking Command Strips to help you display these things
• Stationary and books
• Laptop, chargers, portable speakers and any other tech you might need – UCAS advises getting a laptop that you can take to your lectures and the library and that has enough memory to last for your full degree
• Purse, cards, ID, passport, important documents, etc
• Bags – a bag big enough for your laptop and books plus a smaller bag for nights out
• Clothes, shoes, coat hangers
• TV (if you want one) – Most people use their laptop or PC monitor. Remember to sort a TV licence.
• A clothes airer – a heated one if you can would help with laundry but a non-heated one works just fine and a laundry basket
• Medicines – paracetamol is a must-have for Fresher’s, UCAS says
• Bedroom bin – check this isn’t already provided

Bathroom

Check whether your room has an ensuite or if you’ll be sharing a bathroom.

Things like toilet roll can be split in cost when you get to know your new flatmates.

But for now, here’s a list of things you should take:

• Shampoo, conditioner, shower gel
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hand soap
• Toilet cleaner, bleach, toilet brush – check if these are provided
• Towels and hand towels
• Toilet rolls
• Washbag for all your toiletries
• A dressing gown and sliders or slippers if you’re sharing a bathroom

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Kitchen

• A few mugs and glasses
• A couple of saucepans, frying pans and a wok, depending on what you like to cook
• Chopping board and baking trays
• Cutlery and chopping knives
• Plates and bowls
• Bin bags, sandwich bags, foil and cling film
• Utensils – wooden spoons, spatula, corkscrew, pizza cutter, etc
• Tea towels
• Tupperware

Cupboard essentials such as tea bags, baked beans and pasta will also help get you through the first few days as you settle in.