What to pack for coming to UCL

Essentials:

• Important documents – ID/ passport/ driving license, UCL Acceptance letter, insurance documents, student finance documents, bank card
• Electricals – laptop, phone, chargers, headphones, extension lead (with surge protection)
• Kitchen essentials (unless you’re buying them once you arrive!)
  • Cutlery and crockery – don’t go overboard, you probably only need enough for you and perhaps a spare for when you’re cooking for a friend
  • Good quality sharp knife
  • One or two pots and pans – if you’re sharing a kitchen with others, remember you’ll also be sharing your storage space
  • A baking tray
  • A chopping board
  • A tea towel
  • A couple of utensils e.g. a big spoon and a spatula
  • For things like can openers and bottle openers, consider buying these once you’ve arrived as someone else might have brought one which you could share
• Bedroom essentials – lots of different options for these including having them delivered by UniKitOut
  • Bed linen
  • A laundry basket
  • Some coat hangers
  • Maybe a houseplant, a photo of family or friends, or another home touch
• Bathroom essentials
  • Toiletries
  • Towel
• Clothes - don’t bring your whole wardrobe as you might not have as much storage space as at home.
  • The usual essentials - underwear, pyjamas, slippers or house shoes, jeans, tops, a couple of nice outfits for going ‘out out’.
  • Bear in mind it's a good idea to bring enough of the essentials to last roughly a week so you don’t have to do laundry too often - no one has time for that!
  • Bring warm clothes for winter as it can get very cold or if you’re coming from somewhere hotter you could buy them here! Think layers, jumpers, a warm coat, a waterproof, hat, scarf, gloves, thick socks, etc.
  • Not technically ‘clothes’ but we recommend bringing an umbrella!

Sammara's tips:

In my first ever move, I brought my whole library with me which took 2, very heavy, boxes. I don’t know why I did this. Perhaps I thought they would keep me company in my new room or maybe that all of UCL’s many libraries would run out of books for me... I learnt my lesson and now have a simple philosophy: pack light, be ready to move and explore your new surroundings.

Lydia's recommendations:

Have a think about the things which make you happiest or any hobbies you enjoy which you would like to continue during your time at uni. For me, it's running and I have found great joy in getting involved with UCL’s running club. Here are my running essentials…

• Running shoes
• Sportswear including a waterproof jacket - we are in the UK after all!
• Running backpack

I am an art student so here are a few of my course-specific highlights:

• Paint brushes and oil paint
• Sketchbook
• Palette
• Canvas
• Camera
• Painting overalls

Ujj's advice:

If you’re into sports, remember your equipment like rackets or bats as most sports trials and taster sessions are in the first few weeks. If you’re more into e-sports, you could bring your Xbox/PlayStation/Nintendo Switch. You might also want to bring a first aid kit with things like blister plasters!

What not to bring

• Kitchen - Kettle, toaster, microwave, fridge – these are already provided in your kitchen or hall
• Pets
• Portable heaters, candles, incense stickes and oil lamps, mains-powered fairly lights, humidifiers, weapons, fireworks, BBQs
• Large furniture such as bed, desk, table, etc – these are already provided for you in your bedroom

For more information about coming to uni, check out the Journey to Joining UCL webpage.

Hope your packing goes smoothly and have a great year at UCL!