What to bring to uni checklist

So you’ve smashed your exams and are heading to a new city in the UK to study – how exciting! Now it’s time to figure out exactly what you need to bring with you to your new student digs.

All Canvas rooms have tonnes of storage, so if you’re joining us in September, make sure to bring your everyday items... but you don’t want to clutter up your new home with things that'll collect dust. Remember, you can always get family or friends to post more of your belongings if needs be. All our locations are also super close to the local high streets and city centres, so you can kit your room out, whatever your taste and budget.

CLOTHES

If you've ever heard the expression ‘all four seasons in one day’, you'll know what to expect from the UK's weather. From beautiful summer's days in mid-October, to torrential downpours in July - you’ll need to cover all bases. Here's some clothing essentials for student life in the UK:

👚 A warm winter jacket – the UK can get a bit frosty in the winter, especially if you’re studying up North.

👚 Comfort clothing – for those home study sessions or ventures downstairs to your Canvas cinema.

👚 Shoes – cover all bases from gym shoes and casual trainers to smart shoes or heels.

👚 Smart clothes – always handy for uni presentations or if you plan on applying for any jobs or internships.

👚 Accessories – to express yourself for nights out on the town or Canvas parties.

BEDROOM ESSENTIALS

We appreciate these will be a bit bulky, so it’s probably worth either buying when you arrive in the UK if you’re coming from overseas, or pre-ordering from our Canvas Service app to be placed in your room ahead of your move-in.

There’s a number of shops you can get these items from – Argos, IKEA or Dunelm are all solid choices. The main things you’ll need are:

🛏️ Bedding – a duvet with a snazzy cover, pillows with cases, a fitted sheet and extra cushions.

🛏️ For clothing – coat hangers, a shoe rack and laundry basket.

🛏️ Additions – an alarm or wall clock (to make sure you don’t miss any 9am lectures), a sleep mask, desk fan and throw.

KITCHENWARE

If you’ve booked a studio or townhouse room, you’ll need to pick up all the things you cook and eat with. But if you’re moving into a shared apartment or en suite room, it's worth holding off to see if your new flatmates want to go in and buy things together, or each provide different bits to share.

Again, there’s tonnes of stores where you can get kitchen items (on or offline), or if you want everything ready for your move in, you can pre-order from our Canvas Service app and save yourself the effort during check-in week. We recommend picking up:

🍽️ Cutlery – knives, forks and spoons.

🍽️ Crockery – plates, bowls, glassware and your favourite mug.

🍽️ Pots & pans – a frying pan, saucepans and lids.

🍽️ Utensils – a chopping board, sharp knife, scissors, wooden spoon, vegetable peeler, bottle opener, spatula, grater, sieve, measuring jug and a tin opener.

🍽️ Tupperware – for storage in the fridge, cupboards and taking lunch to uni with you.

BATHROOM ESSENTIALS

Even if you're sharing a bathroom, it's definitely worth getting your own kit of essentials as it's less likely you'll want to share these kinds of items with your flatmates.

There’ll be lots of nearby shops where you can get inexpensive bathroom bits (on or offline) or again, if you want it ready for your move in, you can pre-order from our Canvas Service app. Here's what to grab:

🚿 Towels – a bath towel, hand towel and face cloth.

🚿 Electricals – a hair dryer, hair straighteners, razor and/or beard trimmer.

🚿 Comforts – a bath mat, slippers and a dressing gown.

ELECTRICAL ITEMS

You can’t get through uni without your laptop, how else will you be able to procrastinate over unfinished essays and binge-watch Netflix with your new flatmates? Here's a few more essential electricals you'll want to remember:

🔌 Gadgets – your mobile phone, laptop case, a printer and portable speaker.

🔌 Essentials – a USB memory stick, power extension lead and headphones.

🔌 Backups – device chargers, batteries, a UK adaptor and printer ink.

PERSONAL TOUCHES

Remember, it’s your room. As long as you’re not causing any lasting damage, feel free to personalise it as you feel - it's the perfect opportunity to turn your room into a home.

🖼️ Photos – of family, friends, girlfriends/boyfriends and don’t forget any beloved pets.

🖼️ Ornaments – frames, trinkets and fairy lights will brighten up the place, but avoid candles and incense burners.

🖼️ Plants – real or fake, it depends how responsible you're feeling.

🖼️ Calendar – always handy to have for making plans with friends or uni deadlines.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

Due to limited luggage allowance or space in the car, here is a list of items we'd recommend purchasing on arrival to get yourself started:

🛒 Washing detergent – all Canvas locations have washers and dryers on site, but you’ll need detergent.

🛒 Toiletries – a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, facewash, shower gel and toilet paper.

🛒 Kitchen supplies – tin foil, cling film, sponges, dish cloths, bin bags and washing up liquid.

🛒 Grooming & beauty products – razors, shaving cream, wax, tweezers, nail clippers, cotton buds, lotions, perfumes and aftershaves.

🛒 Medicines – plasters, pain killers, cold medicine and multivitamins to help battle the unavoidable fresher’s flu.

🛒 Stationary – notepads, biros, folders, post-its and highlighters.

Got everything? This list should get you off to a fine start in your new home. Forgetting something is going to inevitable, but never fear... the team at our Canvas buildings are always happy to help out and recommend the best local spots or online stores to pick up any bits you need.