Moving to London for university is exciting. Packing everything you think you might need? Slightly less so.
The good news is you probably need much less than you think, especially if you’re moving into purpose-built student accommodation.
So before you attempt to fit your entire life into the back of a car or three suitcases, here’s what to pack for university in London, what you can buy when you arrive and the little things that can make moving in much easier.
What should you pack for university?
Start with the essentials:
- Passport, ID and important university documents
- Laptop and chargers
- Clothes and comfortable shoes
- A waterproof coat. You are moving to London, after all.
- Toiletries and any medication
- Bedding and towels
- Hangers and a laundry basket
- A reusable travel mug for your free YourTRIBE coffee every morning
- A few home comforts, photos and decorations
If you’re an international student, keep important documents you may need for university enrolment, travel or your Right to Rent check somewhere easy to access rather than buried at the bottom of your luggage.
What does YourTRIBE already provide?
This is the bit that can save you money and a lot of suitcase space.
Your YourTRIBE room already comes with the big things, including a bed and mattress, desk, chair, wardrobe and blackout blinds. Kitchens also come with the main cooking appliances and a fridge/freezer.
And storage is one less thing to worry about. YourTRIBE rooms have big wardrobes and every bed has storage underneath, giving you plenty of space for suitcases, spare bedding, bags and everything else you bring with you.
Sockets are positioned by the bed too, so charging your phone overnight is easy.
There are also shared spaces outside your room for studying, relaxing and meeting other residents, so your bedroom doesn’t have to do everything.
What do you need to bring for the kitchen?
You don’t need to recreate your family kitchen on day one.
Start with:
- A couple of pots and pans
- Cutlery
- Cooking utensils
- Plates and bowls
- A mug and glasses
- Your favourite water bottle
One important thing to check is whether your pans are induction compatible, as some YourTRIBE kitchens use induction hobs.
And don’t go overboard buying everything for a shared kitchen before you arrive. Start with what you need personally, then once you’ve met your flatmates you can work out what you’re happy to share.
A first flat dinner is a good way to break the ice too.
What bedding do you need?
Check the bed size at your specific YourTRIBE property before ordering your bedding.
For example, some YourTRIBE properties have ¾ double beds, also known as small doubles.
Here’s our favourite tip: match your fitted sheet to the mattress, but consider sizing up your duvet. A slightly larger duvet gives you more overhang and can make your bed feel much cosier.
It’s the kind of small detail that is much nicer to work out before check-in day.
Pack for your actual room, not a generic student room
A lot of university packing lists assume student bedrooms are tiny and short on storage.
That isn’t the case at YourTRIBE.
With big wardrobes and storage underneath every bed, you can bring the clothes and personal things you actually want with you rather than packing around a lack of space.
A few smart extras are still worth bringing:
- Plenty of hangers
- A proper laundry basket
- Slippers or sliders
- Soft or foldable storage for smaller things
- A couple of bags or organisers to make the most of your under-bed storage
Make your room feel like yours
This is the fun bit.
Photos, cushions, a rug, plants, a diffuser and a few of your favourite things can make a new room feel like yours very quickly.
Depending on your room, you’ll also have a pinboard or magnetic noticeboard for photos, postcards, timetables and everything else you collect during your first term.
For walls, removable Command-style strips and hooks are a good option rather than tape or sticky-backed lights that could peel the paint.
You don’t need loads. A handful of things that feel familiar can completely change how your room feels.
A few university packing tips people don’t always tell you
Pack a first-night bag separately
Keep your toothbrush, charger, towel, pyjamas and one change of clothes together.
After a long move-in day, you’ll be very pleased you don’t have to unpack every suitcase just to find your toothbrush.
Bring more hangers than you think
You’ve got the wardrobe space, and hangers are one of those very boring things that are incredibly easy to forget.
Make use of the storage under your bed
It’s perfect for suitcases, spare bedding, bags and things you don’t need every day. You can keep them in easy reach without having them taking up space around your room.
Don’t buy an entire kitchen on day one
Bring the basics you know you’ll use. Once you’ve moved in and met your flatmates, you can work out what everyone is happy to share.
It saves money, cupboard space and ending up with six versions of exactly the same thing.
Bring one or two things you genuinely love using
Your favourite mug. Your pillow. A blanket from home. The tiny things can make a surprisingly big difference during those first few days.
Bring a reusable travel mug
There’s free coffee at YourTRIBE every morning, so this is one thing that can quickly earn its place on your packing list.
Leave some room
You’re moving to London. You are going to buy things.
There will be university merch, things for your room and discoveries you had absolutely no intention of buying when you packed.
You don’t need to arrive with everything.
Moving to YourTRIBE Deptford? You can pack even lighter
There are a couple of things Deptford residents can definitely cross off the worry list.
Every YourTRIBE Deptford apartment has its own 2-in-1 washer dryer, so laundry is right there in your apartment. Just remember your detergent.
Deptford apartments even have underfloor heating. These are small details that make everyday student life incredible.
What can you leave at home?
You can save plenty of luggage space by thinking twice before packing:
- Every kitchen gadget you own
- Huge quantities of toiletries you can easily buy in London
- Bulky furniture or extra storage you probably won’t need
- Months’ worth of food
- Anything you’re packing purely because you might need it one day
The best rule is simple: pack what you know you’ll use, then give yourself permission to work the rest out once you’re here.
What should you do before moving into YourTRIBE?
Packing isn’t the only thing worth ticking off before you leave.
Before check-in, make sure you’ve completed the essentials in your YourTRIBE booking account, including your advance rent payment, first instalment, student ID and, if you’re coming from outside the UK, your Right to Rent share code.
You’ll also book an arrival slot in advance, so you’ll know when you’re expected and the team can be ready for your arrival. And remember to book into September’s free events!
Moving into YourTRIBE? Keep your Welcome Pack handy
Your property’s Welcome Pack has the practical details you’ll need before and after you arrive, from check-in and Wi-Fi to what’s already waiting in your room, shared spaces and everyday life in your building.
One final packing tip: leave some space
Seriously.
You’ll buy things during your first term. You’ll find new favourite places.
Bring the essentials and a few things that make your room feel like home.
Once the packing is sorted, take a look at student events in London this September and start planning your first few weeks at YourTRIBE.