Son/daughter going to uni in September 2012. What do we need to buy?

Which Uni is he planning on going to? In DD's accommodation all of the rooms have t.v. screens, but the children don't use them - they all use iplayer on their laptops. If you have SKY you can also give him your details and he can use the SKY mobile. No licence needed for either.

Don't buy a desklamp in case the rooms have them. Best bet is to go onto www.thestudentroom.co.uk and pick up the thread on Unis and accommodation. Find the ones he is interested in and ask the current students what is provided. We ended up taking a floor rug with us and my OH was not happy about having to put it in the car - however best thing we could have bought because the floor in DD's room has tile type flooring. All her friends then went out and bought floor rugs!

Don't buy a mini-fridge as many of the Uni's won't allow them, nor certain plug in stuff in the kitchens and rooms. I would definately recommend a small handled wok - John Lewis do one. Can be used as either a frying pan or a saucepan. He may also have a problem with other students using his food (sometimes visitors from outside to the communal area with inmates) so would suggest he doesn't stock up the fridge too much. You may like to get a large storage box with a lid that he can keep in his room for food like pasta/rice/cerea/coffee etc.

Would also ensure that he knows he has to keep his room locked at all times - in DD's uni it is not unheard of for pranksters to get in the rooms, remove the beds, remove the bathroom door, decorate the room with loo roll etc. etc.

Would also ensure that when moving him in, one of you stays in the room whilst the other makes trips to and from the car. Unfortunately there are people around who use opportunities such as moving in day to mingle with the students and steal, even though they have absolutely no connection with the Uni.

Ikea is good for cheap and cheerful basics. They have plenty of food container sets, and have a basic 17 piece set for under £3. There's also some good chunky drinking glasses to be had for 49p each.

I'd advise getting a baking tray, as if he's not cooking in the microwave, he'll likely be heating it up in the oven - Poundland's bakeware isn't at all bad. A couple of sharp knives - take advantage of the Tesco knife offer or try TK Maxx, which is great for cookware.

An alarm clock - again Ikea have a basic one for 99p. I know people use the alarm on their phones, but it's always handy for a back up.

Cooking utensils - a couple of wooden spoons, spatula, etc - once again Ikea is your friend and you can get a three piece fork, serving spoon and fish slice for 70p and a wooden set for 59p.

Tin opener, scissors, bottle opener, corkscrew. Or a good Swiss Army knife!

In addition to others, my sons' liked to have a cosy blanket and a couple of cushions which although were extra home comforts they also used for mates who came and stayed with them; I think they slept on the floor!
Tbh, as long as they have the basics they get by and we just added a few things as the year progressed.
Best wishes for a great university experience!

We got our son the essentials - and got a double quilt and cover as the single didn't keep him warm enough. Cork boards are supplied where mine are, infact in my sons Uni, one wall is cork

One thing I did buy him because we use it a lot, is a slow cooker. He is learning to cook soups and some of my recipies in it and I am going to get him a bigger 6 litre on when he moves out of the halls into his 7 ppl house share.

It's a great way for them to all chip in and all get a decent meal that's ready when they get out of class

For example, my own sausage casserole recipe will cost 7 of them about 80 p each including rice and a generous serving of sausage casserole.

Soups cost even less, are easy to make, and when eaten with bread can be really filling, especially soups with rice/noodles in them. Much better than the pot noodle alternative!