Things to bring to university

Items to bring with you when moving into student accommodation

Students and student ambassadors moving luggage into accommodation halls using a trolley

Essentials

Personal documents and ID
Keep things like your passport, National Insurance number, university application and student loan documents somewhere safe when travelling. You may need them to register for local services and apply for part-time work.

Money
Ensure you have a way to access enough funds to last until the date of your first loan or grant payment.

Medication
If you take medications, aim to bring enough to last until you can register with a local doctor. Bringing copies of prescriptions and medical information about you (in English translation, if applicable) can also be helpful.

International arrivals
Students arriving from overseas should carry all documents needed for entry into the UK on their person or in their hand luggage.

What is already included?

Our University-managed accommodation includes many of the basic items, furniture and utilities you will need to be comfortable. Check the halls of residence you will be living in to see exactly what is provided for each accommodation type.

Halls of residence

If you are renting private sector accommodation, ask your landlord or letting agent for an itinerary of the items included in the property.

Private sector accommodation

Student ambassador helps a new student move into student halls accommodation

Things to bring

Once you have your essentials with you, everything else can be bought on and around campus – so no need to worry if you've forgotten something. But to save money and make your first semester easier, consider bringing the below items.

Bedroom

Laptop (recommended IT equipment specifications for new students)
Duvet
Duvet covers
Warm blanket
Pillows
Pillow cases
Flat sheet
Mattress protector
Washing basket
Summer clothes
Winter clothes
Something to make your room feel like home (e.g., photos of friends and family)

The weather in the South West is mild compared to other parts of the UK but changes quickly and often. If you're joining us in September, plan to experience at least some of a Plymouth winter – which usually means rain. A warm, waterproof coat and some boots are a good idea.

Bathroom

Towels
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Shower gel and shampoo
Shaving products
Sanitary products
Toilet roll
Cleaning products

Kitchen

Frying pans and pots (two of each is enough to cook most simple meals)
A knife, fork and spoon
A sharp chef's knife
Plates and bowls
Cups and glasses
Wooden spoons (two should be enough)
Tea towels
Cleaning products
Tea or coffee (a good first-day ice-breaker)

When you've settled in, you might find buying food and shared items with your new housemates to be the most economical way of running your flat.

Students relaxing in bedroom of a halls of residence.

Bedroom and en suite bathroom in a halls of residence

A kitchen in Francis Drake Halls of Residence

Cycling and watersports equipment

A limited number of bicycle and watersports storage facilities are provided free of charge. Please arrange this with your hall reception upon arrival. Bicycles can also be stored at many locations around campus: Google map of campus facilities.

PAT Testing

We offer a PAT test service for student electrical equipment once a year and details of this service will be emailed to residents. In addition, PAT testing of electrical appliances provided in our Halls is conducted annually.

To ensure electrical safety in Halls please:

do not overload extension leads
ensure that any electrical appliance that plugs into the wall socket has a fused 3 pin plug
ensure any appliances do not exceed 230v.

Please alert the Halls Team or your student reception if you experience any electrical faults in your flat.

Bringing a car

We do not provide parking spaces for our halls of residence and parking is limited in the centre of Plymouth. All the halls of residence are close to both the University and the city centre. Public transport links are good; for example, there is a frequent bus to Derriford Hospital.

There are various spaces around campus for blue badge holders.

Please park only where you are permitted to do so, as parking fines are enforced on campus and at halls of residence.

Prohibited items

Firearms (real or replica, including airsoft and paint-ball devices)
Fireworks
Fuel
Non-British standard adaptors or extension leads
Deep fat fryers
Candles, incense or open flames
Supplementary heaters
Domestic appliances (e.g., kettles, mini fridges, toasters and microwaves not provided by Accommodation Services)
Plug-in air fresheners
Barbecues