What to bring
When moving to University, you might be tempted to arrive with everything you can think of. Before doing that, check what's provided in your accommodation. It might save you a lot of space and money.
The University's accommodation team have pulled together a list of of frequently asked questions and instructions on what to bring, when to arrive, collecting your key and more and you can check this out on their website.
Bring or buy?
If you’re wondering whether to bring supplies with you such as bedding or kitchen equipment, there are plenty of options available to you if you’d prefer to wait until you arrive.
There’s a Kitchen Kit Market during Welcome Week where you can buy pre-loved kitchenware on a pay as you feel basis. This option is more sustainable than buying new and will save you lots of money – you decide the prices! You may also be able to share some kitchenware with your flat mates.
We have shops close by that open 24 hours a day and which sell everything you will need.
UniKitOut
Alternatively, if you'd like to pre-order supplies, you can order kitchen, bedroom and bathroom packs through UniKitOut and your order will be in your room when you arrive. UniKitOut are rated excellent on Trustpilot, offer a 100% Money Back Guarantee and a Free Cancellation promise so rest assured you’re completely covered should any of your plans change. Use discount code WARWICK10 to save 10% on your kit order.
Students arriving during the main arrivals period from Thursday 19 - Sunday 22 September 2024 should order by Friday 13 September to ensure we can arrange for your kit to be in your room ready for when you arrive.
What's included in campus accommodation?
This will vary depending on which halls of residence you are staying in, you can find out more by visiting your residence webpage. If you will be living on campus and need to order things before you arrive, you can find information on how to do this on the Post Room website.
Items to bring, borrow or buy
Essentials
- Photo ID and other important documents e.g. your visa, student finance details. If you’re planning to find a part-time job during your studies, you’ll most likely need your passport or a copy of your UK birth certificate and an official document containing your National Insurance number as part of the application process
- Money - It usually takes three to five working days for your loan to reach your bank account. It’s a good idea to bring some money with you to cover the first few days
- Mobile phone with a UK SIM card - many services in the UK, including some from the NHS, as well as online grocery shopping, require a UK telephone number to contact you on
- Bedding (pillow, duvet, duvet cover, sheets, pillowcases)
- Stationery - Pens, pencils, notepads
- Extension leads and adapters (International Students)
- Towel
- Bath mat if you have an ensuite
- Flip flops/wash bag for communal bathrooms
- Toilet roll and cleaning products
- Laundry bag
- Clothes hangers
- Iron
- Check if there is any department specific specialist kit e.g. lab coat
- Reusable items (food storage containers, reusable mug, reusable water bottle, shopping bags)
- Food to see you through the first few days
Kitchenware - check your allocated residence webpage for details about the hobs in your kitchen before purchasing any pans or woks. Where there is a mixture of hobs in some residence kitchens, it is advisable to wait until you arrive to purchase your pots and pans to ensure they are compatible. Speak to your flatmates and find out whether they're happy to share before you buy everything. Some flats share plates, cutlery and appliances while other people prefer to have their own. Remember the Kitchen Kit Market during the Campus Arrivals period offers preloved kitchenware in good condition.
- Chopping board
- Cutlery
- Cooking utensils – wooden spoon etc.
- Tin opener
- Baking tray
- Sieve or colander
- Peeler/cheese grater/measuring jug
- Tin foil
- Food storage containers
- Mugs, glasses, cutlery, plates, bowls
- Tea towel/kitchen roll/washing up liquid
- Sponges/cloths
Recommended
- IT equipment and chargers- you don't have to bring a computer to campus as there are plenty of computer rooms for students, but you may want to bring PC, laptop or tablet for use in your bedroom. As a Warwick student, you can download a free version of Microsoft officeLink opens in a new window for your device, you'll need to be enrolled and have set up your Warwick IT Account to do this.
- Hot water bottle
- Warm winter clothes
- Sewing kit and first aid kit
- Something to personalise your room and make it feel like home e.g. photos, decorations
- Playing cards or board game
- Sports kit, musical instrumentsLink opens in a new window and anything for your hobbies - University is a great time to try something new or to get involved with clubs and societies of interest. Warwick has over 300 so we are sure you'll find something to enjoy
- Fancy dress gear
Items you shouldn't bring
Please do not bring meat with you if travelling into the UK. This is due to the risk of spreading African swine fever (ASF) which is a disease of pigs currently spreading in parts of Europe and Asia. It does not affect people, but there is no vaccine and if it were to reach the UK it would devastate our pig industry.
Prohibited items:
- Portable heaters and heated drying racks
- Pets or animals (except approved assistance animals)
- Anything that could be classed as an offensive weapon or dangerous in a residential environment, such as fireworks
- Candles and burners
- Further information about restricted items can be found in your life in halls handbook
Top Tips:
- You may not be able to fit everything in that you want to bring so think carefully about what you pack – remember, you’ll need to carry it all to your room!
- If you arrive and realise you have forgotten something, there are plenty of shops and charity shops nearby where you can purchase essentials, but access to campus with vehicles on arrivals weekend will be restricted.
- Think carefully about the amount of clothing you bring, you might only do one clothes wash a week
- If you'll be living in on campus accommodation, you won't need to bring any laundry detergent or fabric softener as the machines provided by WashPoint add these automatically. They operate a cashless payment system, so you'll need to have your bank card/digital payment.
International Student EditionLink opens in a new window
Packing list from an international student
Umair Khan, Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Campus life, what worked and what didn't
Essential things to bring and what can be left at home.
Loryn, Undergraduate Linguistics
Ultimate Packing Guide for international students
Hear from a current international PhD student on the essentials to bring....
Shuangting (PhD Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy)
My Complete First Year Uni Packing List
The full list of all the stuff I took to university with me, use this an inspiration, you DO NOT need everything on the list.
Joe, UG Mathematics