If you are packing for university and do not know what to take to university, this post is telling you a free university packing list that will save you so much time and stress!
Having packed for university three times in my life, I think it is safe to say I know how stressful it can be, especially for first year university students. What do you pack? What don’t you pack? Don’t worry about any of that as this university packing list pdf is going to take the stress out of stressful.
What To Take To University (and HOW)
Using our free university packing checklist below, you can print it out and manually check off the items as and when you get them. However, one of the big problems I had at university was, where do I get these items from and how am I going to pack it all?
Amazon truly came to the rescue. In fact I have a whole 60+ linked item list of first year university essentials that I 1000% recommend you take a look at, as this uni packing list pdf is based on that post.
When it comes to packing and storing these items, I do NOT recommend card boxes as they take up so much room and deteriorate over time. These plastic storage boxes and clothes bags below are perfect for transportation and you can also use them as under bed storage whilst things are unpacked.
- 32 L capacity each
- 5 boxes
- Fit under the bed/ on top of the wardrobe
Want more university posts?
- Check out the whole university tab here for tonnes of content and freebies!
- 15 Starting University Tips Every First Year Should Know
- 22 Life Changing Uni Essentials You Did Not Know You Needed
- 20+ Items First Year Uni Students Always Forget!
- The ULTIMATE Guide on What To Bring To University (every item you need!)
University Packing List PDF Download
With over three pages of essentials, and even space to put your own, this download is an essential for your university packing! Whether you are using this as a first year university packing list or just a general list, it will be super super helpful to you and make sure you do not miss anything.
What To Bring To University Essentials
A lot of the things on this list are essential items you need at university to get by day to day. However you may already have a lot of these things, so below I am listing just a few VITAL essentials on this list you need to purchase before moving out, that you most likely do not already own.
For a full linked list, click here for ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING you need to bring to university with you- from bathroom to kitchen, to bedroom, to bits you DO NOT want to forget!
I’ve also made a separate blog post on 22 things you did not know you absolutely need for University that will make your life easier (but do not necessarily 100% need).
1. A Small Suitcase
- Airline approved- use it for holidays too!
- Cabin sized so can fit easily in a wardrobe/ under the bed
- Multiple colour options
I went my whole first year without a suitcase and it was a PAIN. Honestly, do yourself a favour from the get go and get yourself a hard shell suitcase. They can be quite expensive but you will have it for years and years so it’s a great investment that will both save your back and make your life so much easier. For weekends at home or going home for a week your backpack is not going to be enough and carrying it all in bags is just difficult and a huge faff. Grab yourself a suitcase to make travelling to and from university easy!
2. A Mattress Topper
- single and double options
- super cosy
- more hygienic than sleeping on university beds
I was so lucky that my landlords bought new mattresses for us in both of my uni houses. However this is a rarity and you’ll probably be sleeping on a mattress thats years old and has seen a lot of bodies (it had to be said lol.) For comfort, sanity, and hygiene, grab yourself a mattress topper to ensure you have a lovely nights sleep!
3. Extension Cord
- 4 sockets
- 4 USB Ports
- Can take on holiday with you
- Very long 1.8m cord
I say this because everyone always forgets an extension lead! I remember my first university room had 2 plugs and I showed up with around 15 electronics 😂. These tower extensions are great because you can plug in both plugs and USB cords.
4. A Shower Caddy
This is a game changer for those sharing bathrooms. If you do not want people using your things, or just want to keep your things all in one place, grab yourself one of these bad boys. I love mine so much I still use it now that I am at home. Put all of your bathroom bits into this caddy and transport it to and from the bathroom with ease. This is a must for your university packing list!
5. Laundry Separator Basket
- Multiple colour and compartment options
- 3 separate compartments
- Collapsible - easily transported
I’ve showed this to all of my friends and we WISH we knew this existed in our university days as it would have made our lives 100x easier. In fact, I am debating getting one for my family home because it looks that good!
It’ll save you time separating out your lights from darks, and will save a black or red sock sneaking in and dying your whites.
This also comes in a three compartment basket for colours, darks, and lights here.
Want more university posts and essentials?
- Check out the whole university tab here for tonnes of content and freebies!
- 15 Starting University Tips Every First Year Should Know
- 22 Life Changing Uni Essentials You Did Not Know You Needed
- 20+ Items First Year Uni Students Always Forget!
- The ULTIMATE Guide on What To Bring To University (every item you need!)
There we have it, our amazing University Packing List UK students should use to make their university packing journey 100x easier!
missed the download, here it is again:
