With thousands of students preparing to move into university accommodation over the next few weeks, the cost of getting settled can quickly add up. From checking what's included in your rent to finding cheaper ways to buy essentials, here are ten ways students can keep their costs down while getting ready for their new home.
1. Check what's included in your rent
Before you start shopping for your new room, check exactly what's included in your accommodation.
Some university halls include bills such as energy, water and broadband within the rent, while private student accommodation can work differently. You don't want to spend money arranging services or buying equipment if they're already provided.
If you're moving into a shared house, check with your landlord or accommodation provider which bills you'll need to arrange yourself and how you'll be expected to pay them.
2. Sign up for student discounts before you shop
Before you start buying furniture, kitchen equipment or clothes for your new room, it's worth taking a few minutes to sign up for a student discount scheme, such as TOTUM or UNiDAYS.
These schemes verify your student status and give you money off at a wide range of retailers, from supermarkets and homeware shops to clothing, technology and food delivery brands, so it's worth having one set up before your first big shop rather than after.
Many individual retailers and services also offer their own student discount directly, so it's worth checking before you pay full price, particularly on bigger purchases such as a laptop, appliances or furniture for your room.
If you'll be travelling to and from university regularly, a 16-25 Railcard could also be worth the one-off cost, as it can reduce many rail fares.
3. Don't buy everything before you move
It's easy to get carried away when shopping for university, especially when shops are full of student essentials at this time of year.
Before buying everything on a university checklist, check what your accommodation already provides and ask whether previous students have any advice on what you actually need.
You might find you don't need a full set of kitchen equipment, multiple storage boxes or lots of cleaning products straight away. Start with the essentials and buy anything else once you've settled in.
4. Shop second-hand
Buying everything brand new can make moving to university much more expensive than necessary.
Look at charity shops, second-hand marketplaces and local community groups for items such as kitchen equipment, lamps, storage and textbooks. You could also ask family and friends if they have anything they no longer need.
If you're moving into a shared house, speak to your housemates before buying larger household items. There's little point in everyone buying their own kettle, toaster or vacuum cleaner.
5. Check your contents insurance
Your laptop, phone, headphones, clothes and other belongings could add up to hundreds or even thousands of pounds, so it's worth checking how they'll be protected while you're at university.
Some student accommodation includes contents insurance, but the level of cover and exclusions can vary. Check what your accommodation provides and whether your belongings are adequately covered - our guide to student contents insurance explains what to look out for.
If you're moving into a shared house rather than halls, cover can work differently between housemates, so it's worth reading our shared home insurance guide before comparing your options. If you aren't covered, compare policies before moving in rather than waiting until something is lost, stolen or damaged.
6. Sort out your energy and broadband
If you're moving into private accommodation, check how your energy bills will work before you move.
Some properties include bills in the rent, while others require tenants to arrange their own services. If you're responsible for your energy, compare gas and electricity tariffs and make sure you understand how much you'll need to pay. Once you're settled in, our energy-saving tips guide has more ways to keep your usage - and your bills - down.
The same applies to broadband. Check whether internet access is already provided before signing up for a new contract, and take a look at our guide to broadband for students if you need to shop around. If you're sharing with several housemates, agree on how you'll split the cost before the first bill arrives.
7. Take photos when you move in
Before unpacking, take photographs of your room and any shared areas, including existing marks, damage and broken furniture.
If your accommodation provides an inventory, check it carefully and report anything missing or damaged as soon as possible. Keep copies of your photographs and any messages you send to your landlord or accommodation provider.
This could help if there's a disagreement about the condition of the property when you move out.
8. Set yourself a weekly budget
Once you've paid your accommodation costs, work out how much money you have left for the rest of the term.
Think about regular expenses such as food, transport, phone bills and course materials, then set yourself a realistic amount for socialising and other spending.
A student current account can make it easier to see where your money's going, and a weekly budget can help you keep track and avoid spending too much during the first few weeks of university.
9. Be careful with borrowing
The first few weeks of university can involve a lot of unexpected spending, which might make student overdrafts, credit cards or buy now, pay later services seem appealing.
Before borrowing, make sure you understand the terms and how you'll repay the money. Avoid taking on more debt than you need, particularly if you don't have a regular income to cover the repayments.
University is an exciting time, but you don't need to start the year with unnecessary financial pressure - if you're ever worried about money, our debt management guides can help you work out the right next step.
10. Don't spend more than you need to
Moving into university accommodation can feel like you need to buy everything at once, but taking some time to plan could save you money.
Check what's already included in your accommodation, shop around for essentials, look for second-hand items and make sure you understand which bills you'll need to pay.
With a little preparation before moving day, you could reduce your costs and have more money left over for enjoying your time at university.
FAQs
Do I need contents insurance as a student?
It's worth checking, as it isn't always included. Some halls and private student accommodation include a level of contents insurance within the rent, but cover and exclusions vary, so check what's provided before assuming your belongings are protected.
What bills are usually included in student accommodation?
This depends on where you live. University halls often include energy, water and broadband in the rent, while private accommodation and shared houses may require tenants to arrange and split these bills themselves. Always check with your landlord or accommodation provider before you move in.
How much should I budget per week at university?
There's no single figure that works for everyone, as it depends on your accommodation costs, location and lifestyle. Work out what's left after paying for accommodation, then set a realistic weekly amount for food, transport, bills and socialising so you can keep track of your spending.
What student discounts are available when moving to university?
Schemes such as TOTUM and UNiDAYS give verified students money off at a wide range of retailers, and many individual shops, brands and services also offer their own student discount, so it's worth checking before you pay full price. Signing up before your first shop for accommodation essentials means you don't miss out on savings from day one.
Is it worth getting a student bank account?
A student current account often comes with features aimed at students, such as an interest-free overdraft facility, which can make it easier to manage money during term time. Compare what's on offer before choosing an account.
