Packing tips for international students

Hello!

Hello! I’m Yujin Choi, currently studying Psychology BSc (Hons) at Coventry University.
Today, I’d like to share some essential items to pack and useful tips for those preparing to study in the UK. Before I came here from Korea, I spent a lot of time wondering what to bring and what I might need for life in the UK. And honestly, once I arrived, there were moments when I thought, “Ah, I really should have brought that!” 😂

Here’s my UK study pre-departure checklist based on my own experience!

Must-have documents

First are the documents you absolutely need for enrolment and daily life. When you arrive in the UK, you’ll need various documents for University registration, moving into your accommodation, opening a bank account and more. I highly recommend bringing your:

• passport
• visa
• CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) letter
• University offer letter
• passport-sized ID photos.

Just in case, I also scanned everything and saved them as PDFs in the cloud—it turned out to be extremely useful.

Essential items to pack

Second, there are the essentials you should definitely bring with you!

Before leaving, I thought I could buy most things in the UK. But once I arrived I ended up buying things in a hurry or feeling disappointed with the quality. A voltage converter and multiple plug adapters are a must, as the UK uses 230V electricity and a completely different socket type from Korea, so I recommend bringing at least two or three.

A thermal bottle (flask) is also extremely useful—it helps you get free water in places like the library or on campus, which is especially handy in summer.

Korean food and condiments such as gochujang, instant noodles, dried seaweed and dashida are either expensive or limited in variety in the UK, so it’s worth bringing them if you have space. Likewise, basic medicines like cold medicine, digestive aids, painkillers and medicated patches are often easier and more familiar to use if you bring them from Korea. With just these items, your early days in the UK will be much smoother.

What you don't need to pack

Third, there are the things you don’t really need to bring from Korea.

I always take supplements in Korea, so I packed a supply to bring with me—but I later found out about Holland & Barrett, a very popular supplement brand in the UK (which is also well-known in Korea!). So, you can easily buy your vitamins here.

You also don’t need to bring too many essentials like socks and underwear. Some students pack loads of them for studying abroad but later regret it. In the UK, you can buy these (and even stylish clothes) cheaply at places like Primark, so there’s no need to overpack.

Lastly, there’s summer clothes. September in the UK is cooler than you might expect 😂. I recommend long sleeves, a light jacket and knits over short-sleeved tops. Bring only a minimal amount of summer clothes. I made the mistake of packing too many just in case, and they ended up taking up space without being worn.

The most important thing to prepare

Most importantly, prepare yourself mentally.

Packing is important, but preparing yourself for a new environment is just as essential. At first, things may feel unfamiliar or even challenging, but if you think of it all as part of the experience, it becomes much easier to enjoy. 😊

I hope your study-abroad journey in the UK starts off lighter and more enjoyable. Thank you!