Preparing for university can feel overwhelming, but getting organised early will make your transition from school or college smoother and less stressful
Starting university checklist
- Secure your accommodation early.
- Set up student finance and open a bank account.
- Plan what to pack.
- Arrange healthcare.
- Get familiar with your new town or city.
- Prepare for undergraduate-level study.
When to start preparing for university
| Time before term starts | What to do |
|---|---|
| Three to six months | Apply for finance, research accommodation |
| One to three months | Pack, arrange travel, and read course materials |
| One to two weeks | Final preparations and a health check |
1. Arrange student accommodation
When it comes to finding a place to live, most first-year students choose to stay in university-managed halls of residence, which offer an easy way to meet new people.
Privately rented housing or off-campus university accommodation are alternatives, although they're more popular with finalists and later-stage or postgraduate students.
If you're attending a local university, you may prefer to save on costs and live at home.
If you do decide to go with university-owned accommodation, you'll typically be faced with a choice between halls that are:
- catered or self-catered
- single or mixed gender
- sociable or quiet.
It's never too early to start thinking about your preferences, as many hall places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Contact your university's accommodation office to enquire about accommodation open days to explore your options.
2. Prepare your finances
While this may not seem like the most exciting task when preparing for university, it's important to get your finances in order before freshers' week so you can budget for the coming academic year.
Set up student banking and a 0% overdraft facility
The first thing you need to do is set up a student bank account. Most major banks offer these with added incentives, such as discounts on eating out and better interest rates.
For example, you could gain access to a free four-year Tastecard with NatWest, or you could benefit from a free four-year 16-25 Railcard through Santander.
Despite these incentives, you should really be looking for the bank with the best interest-free arranged overdraft facilities. This is because banks typically charge daily fees if you exceed your arranged overdraft, so always read the small print.
Apply for a student loan
If you're planning to receive government-funded student finance, you need to get in touch with your relevant Student Finance body:
Securing student finance is a lengthy process, so make this your priority.
Set up a budget
Once these measures are in place and you know how much funding you're entitled to on top of any parental or needs-based grants and part-time job earnings, you can budget your day-to-day life accordingly.
This should include allowances for:
- Amenities - food, utility bills, and course materials.
- Luxuries - clothes, socialising, and visits home.
According to StudentFM, students outside London spend between £900 and £1,400 per month, while those in the capital spend £1,400 to £2,000 per month, depending on their lifestyle and the type of accommodation they choose.
While there's no magic figure to save before starting university, it's advisable to have around £1,000 to £2,000 in the bank. This will cover your:
- accommodation set up, including kitchen equipment, bedding, coursebooks, and room decoration
- moving costs
- social expenses, such as event tickets, and food/drink.
Build an emergency fund or financial buffer
Even with careful budgeting, unexpected costs are almost inevitable at university. This could be anything from a broken laptop to needing extra course materials at short notice.
Having a small financial buffer in place before the term starts can help you deal with these situations without relying on your overdraft or credit. While not all students will be able to save large amounts, setting aside what you can - even a few hundred pounds - makes a noticeable difference.
If saving in advance isn't realistic, think about how you'd cover emergency costs. This might include:
- accessing hardship funds through your university
- getting a part-time job
- setting up a side hustle
- support from family.
The key is to be prepared, so you're not caught off guard when the unexpected happens.
Explore more ways to save money as a student.
3. Decide what to take to university
Find out what will be provided at your student accommodation to avoid making unnecessary purchases. Be sure to check how much storage space you'll have in your new room and only take what you have room for.
If you're taking a laptop, tablet, or other gadgets, consider insuring them - whether through:
- family home insurance
- your bank
- the company you bought the gadgets from.
You can also search price comparison sites such as CompareTheMarket.com or MoneySuperMarket.com for the cheapest contents cover. If you're renting, you won't need home insurance.
With bigger items to consider, you might forget to pack up the little things. Items such as stationery, pain relief and cleaning products are easily forgotten, so it's a good idea to keep organised by writing lists of what you need to take with you or buy when you arrive.
Read our complete guide on what to take to university.
4. Save money on travel
A 16-25 Railcard, taking a third off the price of all train fares, could save you some serious cash if you're planning on visiting home or friends at other universities throughout the term. The card costs just £35 per year, or £80 for three years, and it can save you an average of £212 per year.
Bringing a car to university isn't usually essential. If you do, be aware that parking is often limited, and you'll likely need to pay for a campus permit, as well as potentially higher insurance costs associated with your relocation.
Public transport will keep you connected - especially in bigger cities - so it's worth considering the savings you can make on trains, buses and coaches instead.
If you live near campus, consider investing in a bike, as it can be cheaper in the long run. Some universities and students' unions run bicycle loan schemes, so explore whether you can benefit at your chosen institution. Be sure to factor in the cost of any cycling clothing and accessories, such as a:
- helmet
- hi-vis cycling jacket or top, especially if riding at night
- maintenance/repair kit
- secure lock.
5. Don't buy all the course books on your reading list
Many universities publish their reading lists online before your course begins or send them directly by email. This gives you an idea of what to expect from your workload, and getting a head start on reading builds your confidence for lectures.
You don't need to own every book on the list, since many first-year students use only two or three core textbooks regularly. Just identify the core texts and buy these. Any others you need will be available to borrow from your university library, or you can buy them online from former students for a fraction of their original price.
For second-hand books, visit:
Consider signing up with an online library like Perlego. You can search over 1.5 million academic, professional, and non-fiction titles to read on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Subscriptions are available monthly, termly or annually.
6. Arrange a health check
Make an appointment with your GP before you leave home to ensure you start university in the best possible health.
Sorting out any health issues before you move means you're less likely to suffer from freshers' flu. Most first-year students experience this due to:
- a drastic change in diet
- a lack of sleep and exercise
- exposure to hundreds of new people in a short space of time.
For some top health tips, see NHS - Getting medical care as a student.
7. Get to know your university area
If possible, visit your university town or city to familiarise yourself with your new surroundings before you move.
To save money and time by avoiding multiple trips, especially if your chosen university is far from home, it's a good idea to have a look around the university campus during an open day. Even a virtual tour experience can give you some sense of what to expect.
Once you've moved, use your spare time before the start of term to locate your nearest:
- GP surgery
- local shops
- train station.
In terms of your university campus, it's advisable to get familiar with the:
- lecture buildings
- library
- recreational facilities, such as gyms and sports centres
- restaurants, bars and cafes
- student services office
- students' union
- study spaces and common areas.
This is a great opportunity to get to know your housemates by arranging to make these trips together. The task will feel less daunting if you're not going alone.
8. Learn to cook
Ask for help making your favourite meals while you're still at home - you'll be glad you did once you're fending for yourself. Student cookbooks, available in bookshops and online, focus on using simple ingredients and cooking on a budget.
Shopping on a student budget can be easier than you think. For example, The Co-operative Bank offers a 10% in-store discount via the Student Beans app, while you can get cashback at Sainsbury's and Waitrose through the TOTUM student card.
When shopping, consider supermarket own-brand food, as it is often of the same quality as branded alternatives.
9. Prepare for the transition to university life
School versus university
Everyone knows that university is an academic step up from school/college (A-levels are a Level 3 qualification, while with a Bachelors degree you're working towards Level 6), but that isn't the only change. If you're expecting higher education to be just like college but with more freedom, think again.
Here's a quick summary of the key differences you can expect when shifting from learning at school/college to university study.
| School or college | University |
|---|---|
| Assessment is based on regular coursework, tests and exams | Assessment is less frequent, often weighted towards essays, projects or final exams |
| Classes are usually small to medium in size | Teaching includes large lectures, with smaller discussion-based seminars |
| You receive frequent and detailed feedback from teachers | Feedback is less frequent, and you're expected to act on it independently |
| There is more guidance and supervision | You're expected to be much more independent in both study and daily life |
| Learning is teacher-led, with clear instructions and regular check-ins | Learning is more self-directed, requiring initiative and organisation |
| You follow a fixed timetable, usually Monday to Friday | Your timetable is more flexible, with gaps between lectures and seminars |
| Study focuses on understanding and applying the set material | Study places more emphasis on critical thinking, research and analysis |
| Teachers monitor your progress and attendance closely | Support is available, but you're responsible for seeking it out |
| Teaching is structured, with regular teacher guidance | Teaching often takes place in large lectures with less direct support |
Understand the academic differences
At university, the focus of your studies is much narrower, but more in-depth, requiring skills such as:
- academic reading and writing
- analysis
- critical thinking
- researching.
Study methods also differ from the traditional classroom setting. You'll find that:
- Lectures include more students, less student/teacher contact and more content. They're also faster-paced.
- Seminars are much smaller and rely heavily on student participation and collaboration.
Learn more about getting the most out of lectures and seminars and understanding university grades.
Be ready for independent learning
Your workload is also likely to increase significantly as a university student. Dedicating an hour or two per day to homework like you used to won't cut it, as most of your learning at university is self-directed.
Without your parents to get you out of bed or pester you into completing assignments, it's up to you to stay on track. University lecturers won't chase your attendance, so you'll get out what you put in.
Get tips on dealing with stress and looking after your mental health at university.
If these changes trigger feelings of missing home, discover how to handle homesickness.
Arrange for disability support from the university
If you have a disability or long-term health condition, it's a good idea to contact your university's disability support team before term begins. They can advise you on reasonable adjustments - changes designed to remove barriers to learning. This might include:
- adjustments to how assessments are carried out
- assistive technology
- early access to course materials.
Ensuring any support is in place early means you can settle in with greater confidence.
As Josie Lovett, disability adviser at the University of Warwick, explains, 'the sooner students contact us, the better, so adjustments like exam arrangements can be put in place. Often there are deadlines, so it's important to know that the support is in place, meaning they won't have to panic.'
The university's disability support team can talk through your needs and help put support in place from day one.
For disabled support for undergraduates, view our guidance on Disabled Students' Allowances.
10. Get involved in freshers' week
Your first week at university is full of events designed to help you settle in. Discover how to strike a balance between having fun and settling into your new environment by making the most of freshers' week.
Your students' union will host fairs providing you with opportunities to join societies and sports teams, and your course department might hold a welcome session to introduce you to your peers and lecturers.
While you don't have any course commitments, it's a good idea to immerse yourself in these activities and be prepared to start your degree.
Organisation is key - make sure you know in advance when you need to be on campus, as this will help you plan your time.
Find out more
- Discover 7 life skills you'll learn at university.
- Consider the 7 most popular UK student cities.
- Explore university life.