Yahoo News Best student essentials: University packlist with kitchen sets, cookware, bedding and more for halls
After the stress of A-levels results, it’s time to start looking forward to the next stage of your life.
Your accommodation has been chosen and the excitement is building, but it also can result in a lot of unanswered questions - like "what will I need?". It may be the first time that you’ve ever lived away from home, where you’ll have to decide everything from your daily meals, to the sheets on your bed.
To take the stress out of the process, we have gathered a definitive checklist of all the essentials you need as you leave home and head to university - including those easily-forgotten-but-vital items like an extension lead or even drinking glasses.
Whether you are going into halls or heading into your own house, these products will serve you well throughout your time, covering all areas from kitchenware, to electronics via a few homeware must-haves to give your room a personal touch.
Why not time your online order to arrive at your new address to avoid lugging it all yourself up or down the country?
Shop now.
Laptop: Microsoft Surface Go 3
This lightweight computer can be easily slipped into your bag as you head from halls to your lectures to seminars. It has a 10.5” PixelSense display with a long-lasting battery life of up to 11 hours. There is are two cameras - front and back - for video calls and photo taking as well as a 128GB of storage and Windows 11 built-in.
Shop more laptops for university students here
Headphones: Bose SoundLink Wireless Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones
Whether you are looking to drown out noisy neighbours, listen to music or fully immerse yourself in the latest Netflix binge-worthy show, these sound-cancelling headphones from Bose are some of the best around. They offer impressively crisp and powerful sound quality no matter the volume and are wireless with a connectivity of up to nine metres. You can expect 15 hours of battery life and can even answer calls on them. Best of all, they are extremely comfortable for all-day wear.
For alternatives - try these Sony On-Ear Headphones are only £34.99, the powerhouse sound-cancelling Beats Studio or eternally appreciated AirPods Pro.
Shop the best noise-cancelling headphones here
Ultimate Ears Wonderbooms 2 Wireless Portable Speaker
Small but mighty, take the power of the aux (or lack thereof thanks to the wireless connectivity) into your hands with the impressive room-filling sound of this portable speaker. At only the size of an orange, it has a lightweight feel but is kitted out with two speakers that offer a surround experience. Best of all, it is waterproof and dustproof (a.k.a pre-drinks proof).
See the best portable wireless bluetooth speakers here
EPSON EcoTank ET-2810 All-in-One Wireless Inkjet Printer
Why is it so hard to find a printer that works? Well we’ve done the hard work for you with this one. You can print through WiFi from your phone or computer and it comes with three years of ink to see you through your university years.
Shop the best home printers here
George Foreman Medium Grey Steel Grill 25031
There’s a reason why George Foreman grills have long been a go-to for uni students everywhere. The multi-tasking devices that can cook just about anything. Think breakfast, lunch and dinner all in one perfectly proportioned toaster. It's an absolute lifesaver when you need to dine and dash; you can shower, shave and dress all in the time it takes to make something warm and cheesy.
Student or not, everyone should own one of these.
See the best sandwich toasters to make great toasties every time here
6 Socket Extension Lead White
You can never have enough plug sockets for all your devices so this extension lead will certainly come in handy.
But safely first - never string together power extensions or overload the lead by adding a double extension socket.
Indoor Fairy Lights
Bring a personal touch to your university room with these fairy light that will make the place feel more homely. You can also add pegs to make it double up as a picture holder.
Kitchenware
MOPSIG 16-piece cutlery set
IKEA's budget set is comprised of four knives, forks and spoons and will last you for your entire university career. If you’re not able to get to IKEA, you can also shop the set on Amazon.
Collapsible Food Storage Containers
These handy containers are perfect for meal prepping and saving money by taking food into university with you. Once you've finished eating, you can collapse them to save space in your bag and in the kitchen cupboards. Now there's no longer an excuse to eat out all the time.
Flexible Plastic Chopping Board Set
These chopping boards have a very thin 1.3mm depth, but they're are super durable and will protect surfaces from cutting marks. They are also super easy to store and have a slip resistant side to prevent cutting-related mishaps.
Argos Home 18 Piece Porcelain Dinner Set
While we see nothing wrong with eating straight from the saucepan (if not at uni, then when?), this simple 18-piece set from Argos will make things far easier. - not to mention more civilised.
It has all the tableware you'll need for your entire flat - six plates, six bowls and six side plates. It’s in a versatile white shade so if one breaks, you can replace it easily. What’s more, they're dishwasher and microwave safe. Don’t need 18? Shop a 12-piece set from Argos in a stylish grey for £20.
John Lewis & Partners Set of 4 Mugs
A sure-fire university essential, your morning cup of tea or coffee will have an upgrade with these mugs from John Lewis with a minimalistic, hardwearing design.
For hot beverages on the go, see our selection of the best reusable cups. Also check out this multi-coloured set of six from Amazon for £19.99.
Set of 4 Tumblers
Whether you are mixing up creative cocktails or quenching your dehydration the following morning, this set of four glasses are essential. They are actually crafted from plastic but look just like glass, so there's no need to worry about breakages.
5-Piece Coloured Knife Set
Take your cooking beyond cereal, toast and pasta with a set of knives that includes a bread, carving and paring knife. Go all out with this set of five knives in a colourful design.
See the best kitchen knife block sets, from affordable to top of the range here
Westcott Easy Grip Soft Grip Scissor - Set of 3
Stock up on scissors that will come in handy for both work and in the kitchen.
Argos Home 9 Piece Suregrip Kitchen Utensil Set
This complete cooking set will allow you to flex your cooking prowess. This nine-piece collection is made up of a ladle, serving spoon, masher, and even a pizza cutter as well as many more essential utensils. They all feature a sturdy grip handle.
OXO Good Grips Y Peeler
To make sure you are eating your five a day after even you’ve moved away from home.
15 Piece Non-Stick Set
Stock up on all the cooking essentials with this pan set that even includes kitchen tools. The 15-piece set covers all bases with saucepans, frying pans and skillets with a shatter proof lid and dishwasher-safe design.
For the ultimate kitchen starter pack (£25), check out this option from Argos. There's also Tefal Easycare 5 Piece Non Stick Pan Set (£55) and Wilko Stainless Steel Saucepan Set of 5 (£16.50) that will work well for those with less storage space.
Shop the best saucepan sets here
KitchenCraft Stainless Steel Multi-Purpose Box Grater
Cheese lovers will be able to appreciate how essential this purchase will be but will also be great for the novice chef to make plain pasta with butter that extra bit more interesting.
Shop the best cheese graters here
John Lewis & Partners The Basics Double Oven Glove
Keep kitchen-related emergencies to a minimum with this double oven glove that's durable and easy to clean. If you are looking for a bolder or novelty design, check out our list of favourite oven gloves here.
Argos Home Pack of 8 Mixed Terry Tea Towels
Not only will these tea towels come in handy for the drying up, but they will look stylish in your student kitchen too. They are available in a pack of eight and are machine washable.
BAREN Toilet brush in stainless steel
You’ll be surprised at how many bathrooms are missing this essential. Shop also on Amazon.
Dettol Wipes Antibacterial Bulk Surface Cleaning, Multipack of 6 x 126
With sanitising more important than ever, this bulk buy will be sure to come in handy for a quick fix. It will kill 99.9 per cent bacteria.
Homeware
Cotton Rich Duvet Cover And Pillowcase Set
Keep things simple with this timeless and elegant duvet and pillow set that comes in a rainbow variety of colours. They have a 180 thread count, a cotton blend fabric and come in all sizes from single to super king. For the ultimate comfort, also check out this teddy fleece bedding set at Dunelm (From £22).
Pure 100% Cotton Towels
These soft and fluffy towels will have you covered throughout your uni career. They are highly absorbent with 450gsm and come in a variety of colours. You can opt for a hand, bath or larger towel.
Teddy Fleece Throw
When the cold weather hits, you will be glad to have this super cosy fleece blanket to keep you warm. It comes in three sizes and a variety of colours.
Hakin Shaggy Bedside Rug
Bring a personal touch to your room and give it a cosier feel with the simple addition of this shaggy rug. La Redoute has an extensive range but we love this 6cm pile soft iteration that comes in four shades.
Argos Home 10.5 Tog Duvet and Pillow Set – Double
Kill two birds with one stone with this duvet set that includes the duvet itself and two pillows. It is also available for a single bed but we prefer having a double duvet even on a smaller bed for extra cosiness.
Argos Home Pop Up Laundry Bin - Dove Grey
This laundry bin is lightweight, doesn't hog precious space and can be stored flat when empty. But if you need a slightly bigger size, try this Lights and Darks Laundry Bag from Dunelm (£20).
Pack Of 25 Black Flocked Hangers
These hangers have a thin, space-saving design so you can store all your coats, jackets and trousers in the small wardrobe provided in university halls.
SOCKERBIT Storage box with lidâ
In your compact student dorm, there may not be a whole host of storage options. Popping one of these handy boxes under your bed will maximise the space and work especially well as a good place to store bed sheets, jumpers and bulky essentials.
Stationery
STABILO BOSS Pastel Highlighters Pack of 8 Assorted
The selection of highlighter shades have come on leaps and bounds with pastel variations that will transform your notes into a colour-coded, organised dream.
Moleskine 18 Month Diary Week View with Notes Pocket 2022/23
Stay on top of all your assignments as well as your social engagements with this handy diary that will take you from July 2022 to December 2023.
Q-Connect A4 Ring Binder Pack of 10
Keep all your paperwork and handouts safe in these ring binders rather than getting crumpled at the bottom of your bag.
Oxford Campus Refill Pad 140 Page A4
University is not all fun and games. Occasionally, you may have to actually work and for that, you will need these packs of paper that can then be stored in the folders above.
Zebra Z-Grip Ballpoint Pen Pack of 10 Assorted
The art of putting pen to paper is not lost and may actually help some people learn better. Invest in a pack of good quality pens with ones in various colours that will help when revision comes around.
Rains Backpack
Upgrade your school backpack to this stylish and durable Rains option that is available in 10 different bold colours. It is also spacious enough to store your laptop and studying must-haves.
Shop more stylish backpack options here.
