What to Pack (and What to Leave!) When Moving Your Child to University

The Ultimate Student Accommodation Packing List

Moving your child into university accommodation is exciting — but if you’re staring at piles of “essentials” and wondering what they really need, you’re not alone. With limited car boot space (and often even less bedroom storage), knowing what’s already provided — and what’s worth bringing — can save a lot of stress.

In this guide, we’ve created a parent-friendly student accommodation packing list that’s perfect for students moving into Student Housing properties in Lincoln, Nottingham, and Hull. You’ll also find out what not to bring to uni accommodation to avoid clutter and duplication.

🛏️ What’s Already Provided in Student Housing Properties?

Before you hit the shops, it’s worth knowing that most of the big furniture and basics are already taken care of. Most Student Housing properties comes fully furnished and ready to move in, including:

A bed and mattress (usually ¾ or double)
Desk and study chair
Wardrobe and chest of drawers
Full kitchen appliances (oven, hob, fridge/freezer, microwave)
Hoover / Vacuum
Wi-Fi included
Bills included (gas, electric, water, TV licence, heating)

👉 That means you don’t need to bring bulky furniture, routers, or small kitchen appliances — it’s all already there.

🧳 What to Pack for University: Essentials

Here’s a streamlined list of student room essentials parents should pack for move-in day:

🛌 Bedroom

Mattress protector & fitted sheet (check size: ¾ beds are common)
Duvet & pillows
Duvet cover & pillowcases
Laundry basket or bag
Coat hangers
Desk lamp (many rooms don’t come with one)
Extension lead (with surge protection)
Personal items (photos, decorations, posters)

🧴 Bathroom

Towels (x2)
Shower caddy (if sharing a bathroom)
Toiletries
Flip flops (for shared bathrooms)

🍴 Kitchen (if shared)

Plates, bowls, cutlery
A mug & water bottle
Frying pan & saucepan
Chopping board
Can opener & peeler
Tea towels & washing-up liquid
Food storage tubs (great for leftovers)
Kettle & Toaster
Kitchen Bin
Mop & Bucket

🎓 Study & Admin

Pens, notebooks & highlighters
Laptop & charger
USB stick or external hard drive
Printer (optional – university libraries usually offer cheap printing)
Important documents: passport, NI number, student finance letters, uni acceptance info

🧼 Cleaning & Laundry

Washing detergent
Clothes airer
Antibacterial spray or wipes
Small bin & bin liners

🚫 What NOT to Bring to Uni Accommodation

Parents often overpack — but most students don’t need (and won’t use) half the gear they bring. Here’s what to leave at home:

Microwaves – already provided!
Fairy lights or candles – most are fire hazards and banned.
Furniture or large storage boxes – rooms are already furnished and have limited space.
Multiple pans or fancy utensils – one or two of each is enough.
An entire wardrobe – bring basics for the season, not the whole year.

👉 Parent Tip: Encourage your child to pack for a few months at a time. They’ll likely come home for holidays and can swap things out as the seasons change.

🚚 Move-In Made Simple

At Student Housing, we try to make moving day as smooth as possible. Most of our properties include:

Flexible check-in slots
Pre-cleaned and inspected rooms
Simple key handovers
Weekend Openings (Check Times) during busy periods
On-site teams in Lincoln and Nottingham available to help on the day

Plus, our online Move-In Guide ensures your child knows exactly what to expect when they arrive.

💡 Final Thoughts: Pack Smart, Not Heavy

It’s easy to overpack, but the best approach is to focus on comfort, practicality, and space-saving. A well-packed student is a confident student — and our fully furnished homes mean they’re halfway there already.

Still unsure what to bring? Drop us a message and we’ll walk you through it — we’ve helped thousands of students settle into their new homes smoothly.