Uni essentials packing list for 2024

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When the summer holidays finally draw to a close, there will be students all over the country saying their goodbyes and getting their ducks in a row ahead of their next big endeavour – heading to university.

Moving away from home and into student halls or rented accommodation for the first time is a huge milestone in itself. Add getting organised and packing for your new digs into the mix, and the move can seem like a daunting task. And, when it comes to writing up a list of what to take, it’s not always clear what’s essential and what can probably stay behind.

To make life easier, we’ve found the products that will make your new lodgings feel like a home. While few people look back on their university days as the most comfortable of times, it is still home to the best, the worst and often the messiest memories. So, from homeware and kitchen appliances to bedding and stationery, we’ve got all bases covered.

Whether you are moving into halls for the first time or going back to university after a comfortable summer at your parents’ home, these are the essentials for your new digs.

How we tested the best university essentials

Over the past month, we tested affordable products that will make university life easier and more comfortable. We chose products that are affordable and practical for university halls, picking homeware items you’ll want – such as diaries and heated clothes airers – to ones that you’ll need – such as drinking glasses and storage solutions. We thought long and hard about what will be truly useful, and only included the best of the best below.

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The best university essentials for 2024 are: