Gift ideas for university students
Are you looking for the perfect gift for a university student? To help you prepare them for the newest chapter in their life as an undergrad student, we've compiled a handy guide to sorting those essentials and university gift ideas, from stationery and home decor, to big bags for the move.
What stationery do you need for university?
Students will all have different needs depending on what they are studying, but there are a few essentials that will come in handy whatever their course. Here's a quick checklist of university stationery essentials:
- Pen and pencils
- Highlighters
- Sticky notes
- Notebooks
- Ruler
- Rubbers
- Sharpener
- Pencil case
- Stapler (plus staples)
Leaving home for the first time is a daunting prospect for even the most confident of teens, so getting organised is key. Keep track of important passages in textbooks with a bookmarks or sticky notes, or keep handouts organised in a ring binder.
Perfect for geography students. World Map ring binder, £3.95
- See more from our World Map collection
Many students carry their laptops everywhere, but a good notebook will always be an essential piece of kit. Great for jotting notes on the hoof, and ideal for sketching out ideas, check out our great selection of A5 and A6 notebooks. Modern degrees mean studying multiple modules. That’s no problem - our notebooks come in a huge range of colours and designs.
Cheetah A6 notebook, £1.95
University decor ideas
A great gift for a university student is something for their brand new room!
No doubt they're a dab hand at personalising his or her room, but it’s great to offer a few classic pieces to get them started. Students love quirky lighting ideas, so why not pack yours off to uni with some vintage party lights, perfect for all the nights partying... er studying, in halls!
Vintage party lights, £14.95
Treat them to something unique for their desk with this popular set of storage tins - ideal for keeping all that new university stationery organised!
Fish design storage tins (set of two), £8.95
Add a pop of colour to their new room with a lightweight rug. This multicoloured rug has been made with various recycled rag pieces, so no two are the same!
Recycled rag rug. Was £8.95, now £4.95
Don't forget the kitchen! Anyone for Pot Noodles? Beans on toast? Student diets are famously cheap and cheerful, but they can still be nutritious. Soups are a great option as they are cheap to make or buy, filling, and can be packed full of veg. For students on the move, they can also be stored in flasks, perfect for a hot meal on the go.
Periodic Table stainless steel food flask, £19.95
- See more from our Periodic Table collection
Making the move
When the big day arrives, you'll need some big bags to help make the move. It can feel like there's never enough room for everything, which is where our jumbo storage bags come in handy. Jam them under the bed, on top of cupboards, or hang them from the back of the door. They’re big, they’re bold, and best of all, they're made from recycled plastics. With 35+ unique designs to choose from, they’re a hit with students. But don’t take our word for it. Beth is a 20 year old uni student. Writing on her blog, Alphabeth, she says she uses hers to lug her dirty washing to the laundry: It’s "much more discrete than your standard laundry basket.”
Jumbo storage bags (£5.95 each) are ideal for moving and then hiding the mess.
Other gift ideas for students
For many university students, their first year represents their first time living away from home. For that reason you may want to send them into this new chapter with a sentimental gift. A family photo is great idea, but if they're likely to find that a bit embarrassing then you could frame a group shot of their school friends, a family pet, or some other treasured keepsake.
Students may not be allowed to put hooks on their walls, so a standing frame is a safe bet. Wonders of Nature wooden frame. Was £5.95, now £1.50
Looking for more gift ideas for a university student? Be sure to take a look at our university collection for lots of stationery and decor inspiration.
