Buy your essentials second-hand

Your guide to saving money before you arrive!

When moving to university, there's a lot you need to buy in terms of household essentials. However, as a new student, this can get expensive, and to be honest, you're not going to need that family 4-pack of plates and bowls from IKEA. There are much simpler ways of getting what you need without spending lots of money, especially on multipacks of items you won't use.

Charity shops

The easiest way to get essentials at a low price. Summer/September time is the perfect time to scout out the charity shops, as they'll have stocked everything that previous students have donated. This means your plates, mugs, decor, etc are all in one place and easy to access. Not only are you saving money, but it also means you can travel to university with fewer items.

Edinburgh campus:

Scottish Borders campus:

Online shopping

Online shops such as Vinted and Facebook Marketplace offer very low prices. Usually, students who have graduated and are moving back home will post on Facebook Marketplace with kitchen and household items they don't need anymore, and a lot of the time, for free. This can be a great option if you don't want to spend a lot of money and if you don't want to buy a bulk of kitchen items at once. Vinted is also great for international students if you need to buy weather-appropriate clothing and accessories. You can buy cheaper umbrellas, raincoats and even weather-proof boots, which are an essential in Scotland.

If you're a big reader or your course provides a reading list, you can either check out Facebook Marketplace or WorldofBooks. WorldofBooks is one of the largest online sellers of second-hand books. They buy them from charity shops, libraries and the public to protect the planet and support sustainable reading, so it's definitely worth a browse!

Reloved - Student Union

Reloved is a 'pre-loved' fashion charity shop located in the Student Union building at our Edinburgh Campus. Run by student volunteers and supported by campus community donations, it offers affordable second-hand clothing while promoting zero waste and sustainable fashion.

Shopping for university can be expensive, but buying second-hand can help you not empty your wallet in one go! Now that you've checked this off your list, have a look at what else you need to do before you arrive!