Your go-to list for university packing 

Our top tips and go-to list for university packing will ensure you are prepared and ready for a stress-free move to your home away from home.

Top tips for packing

You’ve got your results, accepted your spot, picked your accommodation, and now it’s time to start packing.

We know packing up from home and moving out is a big deal, and we bet you’ve got loads of questions. This might be your first time away from home or even your first time in the UK.

We're here to support you. This quick guide and handy checklist will help you feel prepared and confident and get you packed and ready for a stress-free move to university.

Undergraduate student arriving at Derby hall of residence

Research your accommodation

Before you panic buy anything and everything, remember to check on your chosen accommodation to find out what will already be provided. Most of our halls will provide:

  • cleaning equipment
  • a desk
  • a chair
  • bookshelves,
  • a noticeboard
  • a desk lamp
  • a personal door lock
  • coat hooks
  • a mirror

It's a good idea to look through the images of your room to get an idea of the extra space you may (or may not) have before purchasing any extras.

Depending on your choice, your halls might be catered or self-catered, with a private or shared kitchen. You may be self-catered and still have a shared cooking space, so check before adding kitchen supplies to your list!

Our students have created some useful vlogs to give you an idea of what it's like living in catered halls and living in self-catered accommodation.

 

Don’t bring everything you own

There will be loads of things that will be easier to buy when you arrive at your halls, especially if you are travelling a distance to Nottingham.

If you need bits and pieces of furniture, there's an IKEA accessible by an easy bus journey. Better yet, if your parents dropped you off, get them to take you and foot the bill (including the Swedish meatballs!).

 

Sharing is caring!

If you are in shared or self-catered halls, you might want to wait to meet your flatmates before buying all your kitchen supplies, as it might be more cost and space effective to share different bits and pieces.

 

So, what do you need to bring?

Bedroom checklist

  • Bed linens
  • Duvet and pillows
  • Mattress protector
  • Laundry basket
  • Clothes and hangers
  • Clothes rack
  • Books and stationery
  • Laptop
  • Photos/decorative items
  • Important documents (passport etc.)
  • UK plug extension and adapaters (if required)

Bathroom checklist

  • Personal toiletries
  • Toilet roll
  • Towels
  • Bath mat
  • Bathroom cleaning supplies

Kitchen Checklist

  • Plates
  • Cups
  • Glasses
  • Pans
  • Cutlery
  • Baking trays
  • Kitchen cleaning supplies
  • Chopping boards
  • Tea towels
  • Binbags
  • Tupperware
  • Cheese grater

Non-essential (but nice to have)

  • T.V for your room
  • Rugs 
  • Decorative cushions 
  • Plants  
  • Fan    

IT & internet access

Wi-Fi is available in all of our halls, at no extra cost. The halls on University Park campus and Jubilee campus have Wi-Fi throughout, to find out how to connect to this service click here . At Dagfa and Varsity the Wi-Fi is provided by Glide, to find out how to connect to this service click here.

Visit the IT Induction hub to get started with IT at the university.

If you need help and advice, then contact the Digital and Technology Services team here.

2020 Arrivals day