What to pack

You should be aware that storage is limited in student accommodation, so only pack what is absolutely essential – particularly if your hall requires you to remove your personal belongings during the intersemester break. Many students choose to wait until they arrive in St Andrews to source kitchen and other household items, allowing them to consume consciously, share equipment, split costs with future flatmates, and reduce waste.

You can get most of your items second-hand from the St AndReuse initiative. In orientation and refreshers weeks there is a Big Giveaway event where you can find kitchenware, stationery, bedding, electrical items, clothes and general household items donated by previous students and local residents.

St AndReuse is located behind University Hall and is open on Mondays and Fridays from 12 noon to 1.30pm during term time. They also run occasional evening and weekend give away events. Please check the events page on the Transition website. A large volume of charity shops are also available in the town. All items at St AndReuse are free, except adult clothes and shoes, which are £1 per item.

You can help to keep quality bedding in use by ordering a preowned sustainable bedding bundle, which will be delivered to your accommodation.

The weather in St Andrews is changeable. Snow is rare, but wind can often make temperatures feel lower than they are. You may want to bring a waterproof jacket and weatherproof boots.

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Pre-order your move-in essentials from UniKitOut

You have the option to order bedding, bathroom and kitchen essentials from our partners at UniKitOut, and have everything delivered to your room before you arrive.

Pre-order your sustainable bedding from St AndReuse. There is limited availability so shop now.

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Find out more about:

• What you need to do before you arrive at your University accommodation
• What to bring to University accommodation
• Bedding
• Devices and wifi

Visit the accommodation guides for more information on living in University accommodation.

What not to pack if travelling to St Andrews from outside the UK

If travelling to St Andrews from outside the UK, please do not bring any meat or meat products with you as they could carry diseases such as African Swine Fever. You must not bring any meat, cheese or milk into the UK when you are returning from abroad.

Please also tell your friends and family members from home that if they are sending care packages to you, these should not include any meat or animal products.

There are detector dogs which operate in the ports and airports in Scotland to search for these products, and if you are found with them these will be seized from you and you may be subject to a penalty.

Viruses such as Foot and Mouth Disease and African Swine Fever survive for a long time in pork or wild boar meat and their products. African swine fever has caused the deaths of millions of pigs worldwide and must be kept out of the UK. Unfortunately there is a persistent threat of these diseases entering the country, through human-mediated pathways, such as those entering the country with pork products.

The introduction of diseases like African Swine Fever can have long-lasting impacts to Scotland’s livestock sector and ultimately our rural economy. They can also pose a risk to humans with the potential to introduce new pathogens. We have seen the disastrous impact Covid-19 had across every sector and the effect disease outbreaks can have on our economy, and we want to avoid similar incursions of disease.

Help protect the UK’s livestock and declare any food items to customs. It is an offence under section 73 of the Animal Health Act 1981 to bring meat or meat products into the UK. There are penalties for this offence, such as imprisonment or a fine. 

Find out more from the Centre of Expertise on Animal Disease Outbreaks.