Starting uni, or going back into new student accommodation after the summer break, is exciting, but it can also be expensive. For the first time in your life, you might be the one paying for your study materials, tech, and even homeware, such as bedding, towels, kitchen gadgets, and utensils. 

The trick is to spend where it matters and save on everything else. Here is a simple guide to getting set up for less, without cutting corners on quality, maxing out your student overdraft or blowing your first student loan instalment before you’ve even started studying!

Note: The rest of this article and photos contain featured products from Very. 

First, work out what you really need, so you don’t overspend

Before getting carried away with spending on back-to-university essentials, it’s important to clarify exactly what you need.  This will vary for each student, depending on the setup of your halls of residence or the shared student house you will be living in.  It also depends on what you already have.

For example, some university accommodation will come with a fully equipped kitchen.  So you’ll need to find out what is supplied before spending money on a bunch of equipment you don’t need.  Some will come with only the fridge and freezer, and it’s up to the students to provide cooking utensils, crockery, kettles, toasters and microwaves.  

You may wish to split the cost with your fellow students who you’re sharing with in this case, or you may want to provide your own and have multiple of each item, if there’s enough space!

When it comes to tech, you may already have a suitable laptop, headphones and other tech from your A-level studies that can see you through university too.  If so, then you don’t need to buy new things just for the sake of it.

Also, the same applies to study materials.  While you will usually be given a list of reading and reference books you need to purchase, you may already have plenty of folders, notebooks, sticky notes and stationery from your sixth form years, helping to cut costs and save money, especially when you enter your first year as a skint student!

Once you’ve worked out what you actually need, write a list. Then you can shop smart and follow the next tips for saving money on the essentials you do need to buy.

Save Money on Kitchen Equipment for Uni

As mentioned above, don’t rush out and buy everything to fully kit out a kitchen, as you might not need to!  Depending on the type of student accommodation you’ll be living in, there may already be everything supplied, or at least a good chunk of what you need.

The best thing to do is plan to buy what you need once you’ve moved into the accommodation, in the first week or so.  That way, you can check out what is already supplied and only buy exactly what you need instead of wasting money.

Also, kitting out a kitchen will depend on its size.  There may not be room for multiple kitchen gadgets such as food processors, blenders, air fryers and panini makers, so you may need to stick to the absolute essentials.  Think crockery, cutlery, pans, a microwave, a kettle, a toaster, baking trays and dishes, and cooking utensils.  You’ll be able to whip up most meals with this list.

One way to keep costs low if you need to buy kitchen supplies is to buy smart bundles for the kitchen.  Many shops offer complete kitchen starter sets which will save money on buying separate items such as pans, cutlery, plates and bowls.  

The same applies to your essential breakfast items, too. Buying a kettle & toaster set like the ones available at Very often costs less than purchasing each item separately, and as a bonus, a matching set helps a kitchen look good and feel tidier!

Student Checklist: The Essential Back to Uni Kitchen Kit

☐ Saucepan and frying pan – medium-sized, non-stick options cover most meals. Buying them in a set is usually cheaper.

☐ Cutlery set – at least a knife, fork, spoon, and teaspoon. Multipacks from supermarkets or budget shops offer good value.

☐ Plates, bowls, and mugs – two of each is usually enough. Multipacks are often cheaper than singles.

☐ Glasses or reusable cups – sturdy ones are best to avoid constant breakages.

☐ Sharp knife and chopping board – essentials for preparing fresh food. Starter sets often include both.

☐ Cooking utensils – a wooden spoon, spatula, and slotted spoon should be enough to begin with.

☐ Baking tray – handy for oven chips, pizzas, and other quick meals.

☐ Food storage boxes – reusable tubs for leftovers or packed lunches; bulk packs save money in the long run.

☐ Tea towels and oven gloves – easy to forget but important for safe cooking and cleaning.

☐ Kettle and toaster – sometimes supplied in halls or shared houses, but if not, supermarkets and discount stores sell budget-friendly options. You can often find both together in a bundle deal.

☐ Microwave – while not essential if you have an oven, it can be very convenient when you’re short on time between lectures or studying. It’s perfect for reheating leftovers, steaming vegetables, or making quick meals like jacket potatoes. Some halls include a microwave as part of the kitchen setup, but if not, you can often pick one up affordably from supermarkets or online retailers.

That’s all you really need to get started — simple, budget-friendly, and enough to see you through uni cooking without the clutter.

Find Budget-Friendly Homeware Essentials for Uni

When moving into halls for the first time, or returning to uni after the summer break into new student digs,  it’s not just cooking equipment you’ll need. Your room may already be furnished with a bed, desk, chair, and wardrobe, but you’ll have to bring your own soft furnishings and personal essentials. 

Bedding and towels might sound basic, but they’re the things you’ll use constantly, so it’s worth choosing practical, good-quality options that will last the whole year. 

Also, think about how you want your room to feel day to day. Small touches like extra cushions, a throw on the bed, photo frames on your desk, or even your favourite posters or artwork on the walls can help make the space feel less like student halls and more like home.

Student Checklist: Back To Uni Homeware Essentials

These are the items you’ll need to purchase if you don’t already have them:

☐ Bedding – duvet, pillows, covers and a mattress protector. For convenience, you’ll want at least two sets of covers so you can change and wash them easily.  Otherwise, you’ll need to be able to wash and dry your one set in one go every time you need to clean the bedding! To save money, look out for bedding bundles in supermarkets or home stores, which often work out cheaper than buying each item separately.

☐ Towels – plenty of bath towels and hand towels for personal washing each day, and if you like to go to the gym or swim. High street shops often sell packs of two or three at a lower cost, so it’s worth comparing bundle deals.

☐ Laundry supplies – a laundry basket or bag, plus clothes hangers for your wardrobe. Budget shops and supermarkets usually stock these at a fraction of the price of homeware chains.

☐ Toiletries and bathroom kit – toothbrush holder, shower caddy (especially if you have a shared bathroom), and a pair of flip-flops or sliders for communal showers. Pound shops and discount retailers are ideal for these basics.

☐ Lighting and comfort – a desk lamp for late-night study sessions and perhaps a small bedside lamp or cosy throw to make your room feel more homely. It’s likely you already have this from your home, but if not, you can find affordable desk lamps that look good too, starting at £15 at the time of writing from popular online retailer Very.

☐ Cleaning basics – cloths, sponges, and some multi-surface cleaner so you can keep your room and bathroom fresh. Own-brand supermarket ranges are usually just as effective as premium brands and cost much less.  One thing I would look for are eco-friendly and non-toxic brands to make sure you’re not unnecessarily harming the environment when washing away the residue, or breathing in toxic fumes, especially in what is normally a very small uni bedroom.  Eco brands are readily available at supermarkets nowadays and are often included in their weekly promotions.

These are the items that make student accommodation liveable, helping you settle in quickly and feel more at home, as well as the essentials such as cleaning supplies that you may not immediately think of needing!

A handy money-saving tip is to shop at the right time — supermarkets and big chains often run “back to uni” sales in late summer, bundling bedding, towels, and homeware into affordable starter packs. You could also split larger packs with flatmates if you only need one or two items, reducing costs further.

Choose the Right Tech for Uni on a Budget

When it comes to tech for university, many of us already have an abundance from our sixth form or college days.  But this may not always be the case, especially if you borrowed or rented equipment in your previous establishment, or were sharing a family laptop at home.  

For uni, you’re going to need your own laptop or computer setup, both for studying and managing adulthood. Most things are online nowadays - think banking, booking travel, setting up and paying bills, etc.  You’re going to need tech not just for studying, but for your life admin and no doubt for entertainment too!

While the cost of some tech can be eye-wateringly expensive (think in the thousands), there are more budget-friendly options when it comes to laptops, headphones and speakers that are more affordable and still high quality.  You can easily find a laptop for under £500 that will last for your university years, if not beyond.

The most important thing to consider is the specs of a laptop to ensure it runs smoothly and as fast as possible, so you can complete your studies without tech issues.  

If you’re considering buying pre-owned or refurbished laptops to save money, then make sure they come with a warranty and from a reputable source in case of issues.

Even on a tight budget, you can still buy a new laptop with 8GB RAM for speed and performance, starting at approximately £320 on Very at the time of writing, and I even found one in the sale for less than £200 - an incredible price for a laptop for a student! 

For a budget-friendly laptop, check out the Asus Vivabook Go Laptop available at Very, which will be more than suitable for your university needs - studying, researching, writing essays, browsing, emails and more. Very has some of the best laptops for students with a variety of models, making it easy to compare affordable options for your budget that tick the boxes for portability, reliability and value.

Once you’ve settled on which laptop you’ll purchase, I highly recommend investing in a waterproof laptop case instead of just throwing your laptop loose in your uni bag.  A padded, waterproof case will protect your laptop investment from light spills, scratches and damage while being lugged from lecture to lecture and while travelling to uni and back. 

Student Checklist: What to Look for when Buying a Budget-Friendly Laptop for Uni

Aside from the cost, the things you’ll want to research when it comes to buying a laptop for university are:

• Battery life – you’ll need a laptop that can last through long lectures, seminars, or library sessions without constantly hunting for a plug socket.

• Portability – a lightweight model is easier to carry between lectures, study spaces, and home, especially if you’ll also be lugging around textbooks.

• Performance – check the processor, RAM (at least 8GB is ideal), and storage (SSD drives are faster and more reliable than older hard drives).

• Operating system and software – make sure it’s compatible with the software you’ll need for your course (e.g. MS Office, design programs, coding software).

• Durability and build quality – a solid design will withstand daily use and travel better than fragile models.

• Warranty and support – a good warranty or student support package can save stress and money if things go wrong.

9 Money-Saving Tips: Stretch Your Back To Uni Budget

Whether you’re buying kitchen essentials, bedding or university tech, there are more ways to make your money go even further.  

Many of these tips have been mentioned above, but here’s a roundup of money-saving tips that can be applied across all the categories of things you need for back to uni.

1. Use cashback apps and voucher sites – try TopCashback or Quidco, and check out my list of cashback sites for even more ways to save when shopping online.

2. Split the cost and buy together – so long as it won’t cause arguments, you could split costs with your student housemates for items like crockery and kitchen cleaning supplies.  You can also save on online postage costs by ordering online shopping together.

3. Student discounts – check out the National Union of Students website for their TOTUM card, which provides a wide range of discounts for students online and in-store and well-known brands.  Also, check out the websites UNiDAYS and Student Beans to find more student discounts at popular retailers.

4. Mix preloved with new – second-hand is perfect for decor, crockery, or storage baskets. Save new purchases for items that need reliability or warranties, like laptops, small appliances, or phones.

5. Sign up for newsletters – many retailers offer discounts if you subscribe to free email newsletters before buying.

6. Shop at the right time - in the month or two leading up to going back to uni, retailers will want your custom and will start “back to uni” and “back to school” campaigns, offers and sales. Prices often dip just before term starts, making it the best time to buy the essentials you need.

7. Spread your purchases – if possible, avoid buying everything at once. Spread purchases over a few weeks to make the cost more manageable and catch extra promotions.  This will also help you see which items are really essential, as you’ll notice what you need over the first few weeks instead of buying a bunch of items upfront that might not all get used.

8. Borrow, swap, or share – check what your flatmates already have before buying rarely used items.

9. Look after what you buy – descaling kettles, emptying toaster crumb trays, running software updates, or using protective cases for laptops and phones will extend their lifespan. The longer your essentials last, the more you save.

Final Word on Saving Money when Going Back To University

Starting university or going back to uni and moving into new student accommodation is exciting, but the cost of essentials can add up quickly. With a little planning and some smart shopping, you can kit yourself out without draining your student loan in the first few weeks!

Focus on the items you truly need, take advantage of student discounts and cashback, and look after what you buy so it lasts the full three years and beyond. 

Saving money now means you’ll have more freedom to enjoy your student life without unnecessary financial stress or without the essential items you need.