Packing up your belongings and heading to the UK to study is an exciting adventure – but it can be equally as stressful. With so much to do and remember in preparation for your big move, it can be difficult to sort through everything and decide what to take or leave.
Whether it’s your first time moving to the UK, or you’re returning for your next academic year, a moving abroad packing checklist is a great place to start. It can help you to remember vital items, so you can focus on your studies and make the most out of uni life.
In this guide, we’ll explore all the essentials you need to take with you to the UK, from key documents to electronics, clothing and personal items.
Plan ahead and pack smart. Focus on the essentials, avoid overpacking, and remember you can buy most things once you arrive in the UK.
Prioritise essential documents. Ensure you have your passport, visa and uni enrolment letters to hand.
Make your accommodation your own. Choose the right room, bring along some home comforts and make use of the facilities and support.
Jump to section:
The ultimate international student packing list: What to bring
Living with Unite Students: What to expect from your new home
What to bring
Packing for uni as an international student goes far beyond bringing your favourite mug. There are several important documents you’ll need to remember, like your visa and passport. Failing to pack these could result in you being denied access to the country.
No one wants to deal with the stress and inconvenience caused by forgetting the essentials. Below, we’ve provided a comprehensive international students’ packing list to help, along with a few packing tips:
Essential documents and money
First things first, you need to pack all the documents you need to travel to the UK – you won’t get far without them. And, of course, you’ll need funds to travel with during your journey.
Don’t forget to bring:
Passport & Visa (originals and copies). These are required for entry into the UK and for immigration checks. Keep copies separate from originals in case you misplace them.
CAS statement (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies). This mandatory document is used to support your Student visa. You may need to show it at border control.
University acceptance letter. You may need to show proof that you’ve been accepted to university once you arrive in the UK – for border control or uni enrolment.
Academic transcripts/certificates. Your university may request these during enrolment.
Travel insurance documents. These are vital to prove you’re covered in case of any medical emergencies or travel issues.
Flight tickets/booking confirmation. You’ll need these to check in and board your flight. Electronic documents are usually fine, but you could print physical copies as a backup.
UK currency and debit/credit cards. Always carry local currency with you to cover any necessary expenses – such as food or transport.
Emergency contact details. Make sure you have the contact details of a nominated person in the UK and your home country, in case of an emergency. This could be a family member or a responsible friend. Carry written copies, too, in case you can’t access your phone.
Top tip: Travel with an easily accessible bag that has enough compartments to hold everything. This ensures all your essentials are easy to grab, as and when you need.
Clothing and footwear
Now we’ve gotten through the serious stuff, start to think about the types of clothing and footwear you need to pack. Aim to select items that’ll ensure you’re well-equipped for the famously unpredictable British weather, especially if you’re staying in places like Manchester or Birmingham.
Here are our suggestions:
Waterproof jacket/coat. An essential for staying dry during rain showers, which can catch you out at any time of year.
Warm jumpers and layers. Jumpers, hoodies and other items to layer up are must-haves for English winters (and sometimes even all year-round!).
Everyday clothes. Basic tops and bottoms can come in handy for days when you want to keep things simple.
Comfortable walking shoes. Whether you’re commuting to your uni campus by foot or not, having comfy shoes can make getting around a lot easier.
Smart casual outfits for events. Uni life won’t be all books and seminars, you’re likely to have plenty of exciting events to attend too. Pack some smart casual outfits to help you look and feel your best.
Sleepwear and loungewear. Comfy sleepwear and loungewear can make all the difference to the way you relax and recuperate after an exam or coursework hand-in.
Underwear and socks. Can’t forget these essentials – bring enough to last you until you get your bearings and figure out your laundry options.
Swimwear and gym wear. Staying active can help you manage stress and can benefit your wellbeing while studying. Bring some activewear with you so you can head to the gym whenever you need to let off some steam. Some student accommodation providers, like Unite Students, even have their own on-site exercise facilities.
Top tip: Try not to overpack. Remember, whatever you don’t have, you can buy once you get to the UK.
Electronics
In today’s world, electronic play a major role in our lives – and especially in the life of a student. But don’t feel pressured to have all the latest electronics – your uni should provide a great deal of what you need on campus.
But, if you do have access to your own devices, don’t forget to bring them. For example:
Laptop, phone, tablet. These will be your main tools for studying. You can use these to take notes, do your assignments, submit work, and keep in touch with your friends and family.
Games consoles and games. Luckily, you won’t spend all your time at uni completing assignments and attending seminars. You’ll have some spare time, so bring along any game consoles and entertainment that’ll help you relax. Unite Students accommodation also provides access to common rooms, some with games for you to enjoy.
Chargers for all devices. Whatever devices you bring, they’ll need charging at some point. Don’t forget to pack any chargers you need to avoid running out of battery, especially during time-sensitive periods like assignment submission dates.
UK travel adapter (Type G plug). These are crucial for travelling abroad. Your devices may not be compatible with UK sockets, so make sure you pack an adapter or buy one at the airport.
Portable power bank. You never know when your battery might run low. A power bank can be a saving grace for long days away from your accommodation.
Headphones. Need to concentrate or escape uni life for a moment? Headphones will come in handy. Pop them in and enjoy some of your favourite sounds.
USB stick/external hard drive – There’s nothing wrong with a good old USB or external hard drive. Keep these handy to back up important coursework.
Remember, any electrical items you bring to the UK must have a CE certification marking and meet UK standards.
Top tip: Create a special ‘home’ playlist to listen to when you miss where you’re from. This is a great way to stay connected.
Toiletries and personal care
It may take you a few days to settle into your new home, so pack enough toiletries and personal care items to last you throughout this transitional period. You can then go and stock up once you find your feet.
Here’s what you should bring:
Small supply of toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant and toothpaste)
Prescription medications (with doctor's note)
Basic first-aid kit (like painkillers and plasters)
Glasses/contact lenses
Period products.
Top tip: Do some research beforehand to find out where you can go to buy essential products near your accommodation.
Home comforts
Last but not least, packing a touch of home can help you keep homesickness at bay while you study abroad.
Here are a few items you can pack to bring a piece of you home with you:
Photos of family/friends. Place these around your room to help you remember home.
Small, meaningful keepsakes. Gifts from loved ones, or small items like keychains or magnets.
Favourite book (or similar). To provide comfort and transport you to a familiar place.
Small, non-perishable snacks from home. Be sure to check customs regulations.
Items from your room back home This can be cushions, blankets or plushies to add a personal touch to your new space.
Family recipes. Cooking your favourite dish from home can help you feel connected. You can even cook a recipe for your new flatmates as a way of bonding.
Top tip: Try to keep any home comforts small and meaningful to avoid overpacking.
What NOT to bring
When travelling internationally, it can be tempting to bring almost everything with you. It’s understandable that you want your new place to feel as much like home as possible, but you don’t have to overpack to do this.
Try your best to focus on the essentials, as you can always buy more when you get to the UK.
Here are a few things to avoid bringing:
Large quantities of toiletries. Unless specific brands are essential, don’t stock up on toiletries as these will just take up space. They can be easily bought once you land.
Too many clothes. Avoid bringing your entire wardrobe. Remember, the climate is likely to be quite different to back home. Travel with what you need, not what you want.
Large appliances. Student accommodation like Unite Students comes equipped with most major appliances, so there’s no need to bring them with you.
Heavy bedding. Bedding is bulky and will take up unnecessary space and weight in your luggage. Plan to buy some once you land instead – this way you can confirm bed sizing too.
Perishable food items. These won’t survive long during travel and there are also restrictions on what you can bring into the country.
Your international student arrival guide: What to prepare
When travelling to the UK as an international student, you want the journey to your new home to be as seamless as possible. To help ensure everything goes to plan, we’ve created the following arrival guidance:
Before you leave: Pre-departure checklist
There are a few important details you’ll need to tick off before you set off on your journey to the UK. These will help you avoid delays, confusion, or unnecessary stress during your first few days:
Inform your university of your arrival date. This way, they can prepare for your arrival, provide support, and ensure any welcome services or induction activities are arranged for you.
Confirm your Unite Students booking details. Double-check your accommodation address and ensure your arrival dates align.
Download essential apps. This includes everything from the Unite Students App to help you manage your stay, to your university’s app (if they have one).
Notify your bank of your travel plans. This is important to ensure you can access your money while abroad. Let your bank know you’re travelling to prevent your account from being blocked due to security concerns.
Learn basic UK phrases/customs. Ensure you’re familiar with the local language before you touch down. Knowing some social customs can help you feel more at home once you arrive.
Exchange some currency. Keep a small amount of British pounds on hand to ensure you can pay for any immediate expenses like travel, food or emergencies.
When you arrive
There are also measures you can take to make things easier once you land in the UK. For example:
Customs and immigration. Have your passport, visa, and university documents at the ready to avoid delays while going through customs.
Check into your Unite Students accommodation. The friendly staff at Unite Students will be waiting to help you check in and get settled into your uni accommodation.
Familiarise yourself with your room and communal areas. Spend some time exploring your room and the communal areas available to you.
Register with a local doctor. Research the local doctors in your area and register with a GP. This ensures you have access to medical facilities during your stay.
Attend university induction events. Don’t miss out on exciting induction events hosted by your university. It’s a chance to make new friends and get lots of useful info.
Living with Unite Students: What to expect from your new home
When you choose Unite Students for your accommodation while studying abroad, you’re making a decision that’ll make all the difference to your time in the UK. We provide fully furnished, comfortable rooms that come with Wi-Fi, all-inclusive bills, and plenty of communal spaces for you to enjoy. Plus, our accommodation facilities are fitted with CCTV, a secure entry system, and on-site staff are always on hand to help.
There’s no need to bring any large items like bedding or kitchenware for your stay, as these can be easily ordered or picked up once you arrive. Plenty of our accommodations are centrally located, so you won’t be too far from the shops. Our staff are also happy to help with any questions or concerns you have.
We understand that moving to a new country can be daunting, so we offer plenty of support for international students. We aim to help you settle in so you can make the most of your uni experience in the UK.
FAQs
How do I open a UK bank account?
Most banks in the UK make it easy for you to open an account while you’re studying abroad. You can apply online or in-person; and you typically need your passport, student visa, proof of address and a ‘Letter of Introduction for UK Banking Facilities' from your university.
Do I need a UK phone number?
It’s a good idea to get a UK phone number while you study in England. Not only can it make everyday communication easier – whether it’s with new friends or your family abroad – but it also makes tasks like registering for services and app access more convenient. You can choose from pay-as-you-go SIM cards or monthly plans, with many providers offering student deals.
How do international students access healthcare in the UK?
International students studying in the UK for six months or longer can access healthcare through the NHS. During your visa application, you’ll pay a mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) of around £776 per year. This entitles you to GP visits and hospital treatment. International Students should register with a local GP as soon as possible once you arrive in the UK.
Can international students work part-time in the UK?
Yes, international students with a student visa enrolled on a full-time course at degree level or above are allowed to work part-time in the UK. You can work up to 20 hours per week during term time, and full-time during holidays. Students below degree level are usually restricted to 10 hours per week during term time.
What should I do if I get homesick?
If you get homesick while studying abroad, the first thing to do is acknowledge that what you’re feeling is completely normal. It can be daunting moving to a new country, and it’s natural for you to miss home.
The next thing to do is seek support. This can be from a friend or from your university’s support centre. Here at Unite Students, we also offer various forms of student support to help you cope with homesickness or anything else you may be facing.
