What to bring to University accommodation

The University of St Andrews, and shops in the surrounding town, provide much of what you will need in student accommodation. 

This guide lists things you might want to bring, and items you should leave at home for safety or space reasons. 

The lists of items in this guide are subject to change and are not exhaustive. 

Bedroom: what’s provided

If you are staying in University halls of residence your room will have: 

• bed, mattress and mattress protector  
• desk, chair, desk lighting 
• shelves/shelving 
• wardrobe and drawer unit 
• general waste and recycling bins. 

Bedroom: what you can bring 

• bedding is not provided, but you can buy bedding packs in advance 
• towels 
• posters, postcards and pictures, but these should only be attached to the noticeboard in your room using noticeboard pins 
• curling tongs and straighteners with a heat-resistant mat 
• electric toothbrushes  
• hairdryer 
• shavers. 

Bedroom: please leave at home 

For safety and space reasons, please do not bring: 

• extra furniture 
• curtains 
• soft fabric lampshade 
• kettle 
• toaster 
• bean bag  
• candles, incense sticks or anything with a naked flame 
• cube adaptor 
• electric blanket 
• free-standing lamp 
• free-standing fan  
• heater (including gas, electric, paraffin or halogen) 
• humidifier 
• lava lamp 
• medical fridge (unless issued by the University) 
• any type of non-UK multi-plug extension cables 
• non-UK fused adaptor 
• over-door hanger 
• plug-in air freshener 
• pull-up bar 
• universal travel adaptor.  

Do not use any high-powered electrical equipment, irons or cooking items. This includes rice cookers and kettles. You must keep all cooking equipment in the kitchen, not in your bedroom.  

There are irons, kettles and toasters in the communal kitchen area in all residences. 

There are no plugs in shower rooms. Use the plugs in the bedroom. 

Kitchen: what’s provided 

Catered residences have several kitchens, where you can make snacks and meals. 

Shared kitchens in self-catered residences (Fife Park, David Russell Apartments and Agnes Blackadder Hall, Powell, Whitehorn, postgraduate accommodation except Dean's Court) contain: 

• basin, cutlery tray and sink tidy  
• clothes airer (Fife Park and David Russell Apartments only)  
• dustpan and brush, broom, mop and bucket, and vacuum cleaner  
• electric cooker  
• fridge and freezer 
• kettle
• pots and pans  
• steam iron and ironing board 
• bin.  

Kitchen: what you can bring 

It is a good idea to buy some kitchenware, even if you are in catered accommodation, including: 

• cooking utensils  
• cutlery 
• plates and bowls 
• saucepans  
• tea towels.  

To save on postage costs you can buy them when you arrive in St Andrews. You can also speak to your neighbours and agree to share the cost.  

You can bring UK-purchased kitchen equipment to be used and stored in the kitchen only, if there is space. These items are allowed: 

• air fryer 
• blender 
• coffee grinder 
• coffee machine 
• electric grill 
• electric frying pan 
• hand mixer 
• iron (allowed in the kitchen and laundry areas only) 
• juicer 
• kettle 
• mixer or food processor 
• panini press 
• rice cooker 
• slow cooker 
• toastie maker.

Kettles and toasters are available in the shared kitchen in all residences. You do not need to bring your own. 

Kitchen: please leave at home 

Do not bring any electrical kitchen or cooking equipment from outside the UK. Never bring: 

• deep fat fryer  
• electric ring   
• electric element for heating, for example, water or coffee 
• freezer 
• fridge   
• halogen or induction oven  
• microwave. 

Other items  

Please do not bring: 

• barbecues 
• fire lighter or lighter fuel  
• fireworks 
• locking knife or axe 
• traffic cone 
• shower or hair washing attachments. 

Why you should leave some things at home 

UK health and safety regulations in the UK apply to everyone living here. There are items you must not bring into your accommodation because they could put yourself and others at risk. Check the Terms and Conditions of Occupancy for more information.  

All allowed electrical items must:  

• have Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) – your electrical items will be tested by an external contractor at the start of your contract 
• meet British Safety Standards 
• have a three-pin UK plug (laptops, mobile phones and tablets must also have a British standard charging cable) 
• have a UK-fused adapter, where appropriate (this includes electric toothbrushes and shavers).

The residence manager can refuse any  electrical equipment within the residence, and remove it if necessary. 

Any equipment bought outside the UK must be used with a UK power supply. This includes laptops, mobile phones, hairdryers and other personal equipment. UK power supplies can be bought in the UK and the Residence team can advise you on this. It may be better to wait and buy any items you need in the UK. 

What happens if you bring these items 

These items will be removed, and you could be in breach of your Terms of Occupancy. You could be asked to leave and may be liable to pay for any damage caused by the item. 

If you would like to discuss special arrangements, email accommodation@st-andrews.ac.uk.