The Student Room Group

How to Relocate to U.K. from the U.S. for University

I'm relocating to the United Kingdom from the Untied States for grad school. In your experience, do you recommend any reputable and reasonable moving or shipping companies for international students traveling to the U.K. for university? How do you recommend international students relocate to the U.K.––by dragging all your luggage through the airports, or by hiring a moving/shipping company? Thanks for you insight.
(edited 2 years ago)
Travel light, a lot of students just bring a couple weeks of clothes and any sentimental items or things you can't get here. Then buy bulky stuff like bedding and kitchenware here.

Student halls / houseshares will just normally be a bedroom and maybe a small bathroom. Kitchen and lounge are normally shared so not a lot of room to be bringing too much stuff anyway.
Original post by Kogomogo
Travel light, a lot of students just bring a couple weeks of clothes and any sentimental items or things you can't get here. Then buy bulky stuff like bedding and kitchenware here.

Student halls / houseshares will just normally be a bedroom and maybe a small bathroom. Kitchen and lounge are normally shared so not a lot of room to be bringing too much stuff anyway.

Also note also that US and UK mains voltages are quite different, so be careful about things like phone chargers, laptop power bricks etc. UK mains is 240V (with different shaped plugs and sockets), the US is 110V and plugging US kit into a UK socket can result in bang / smoke / dead kit - though some can be "international" and ok in both places - but you will need a plug adapter. Lots of universities will have Amazon lockers on site, so you can pick up small items easily and have them delivered when you arrive.
Reply 3
Original post by U.S.Gentleman
I'm relocating to the United Kingdom from the Untied States for grad school. In your experience, do you recommend any reputable and reasonable moving or shipping companies for international students traveling to the U.K. for university? How do you recommend international students relocate to the U.K.––by dragging all your luggage through the airports, or by hiring a moving/shipping company? Thanks for you insight.


You really don't need to bring that much.

Where are you going to be studying?
From what ive seen most international student normally come with 2 giant suitcases& drag it all through the airport, and then buy a lot of stuff on arrival (for example bedding/toiletries/general stuff etc.) I think most do this on a sort of cost basis that shipping stuff is quite expensive and if you go into university accommodation room is not necessarily that plentiful.

If you can afford to ship/air-freight over a more things then sure go for it. I suppose a lot depends on if your here for a 1 year masters or 4 years of research (and if you wish to permanently relocate or not).
Sites like www.sendmybag.com are a good shout. Often cheaper than taking on the plane, and a lot less hassle.
Original post by Kogomogo
Travel light, a lot of students just bring a couple weeks of clothes and any sentimental items or things you can't get here. Then buy bulky stuff like bedding and kitchenware here.

Student halls / houseshares will just normally be a bedroom and maybe a small bathroom. Kitchen and lounge are normally shared so not a lot of room to be bringing too much stuff anyway.


I agree I pack like this:
loads ofUnderware and T-shirts.
A few pairs of jeans.

A couple of pairs of shorts for the Gym or if it's hot or whatever.

A swimming costume if you like swimming or on warmer days people sometimes go to the beach particularly in costal city's.

Hoodies jumpers thing's like that (it gets cold here) don't bring more than about 3 you'll acquire more with in the first few weeks either it's a club hoodie or the uni hoodies.

Bring Suit or tuxedo for smart events like the freshers ball.

Bring some Trainers (sneakers) for day to day and some smarter shoes for clubbing if they are needed some places you need a shirt and shoes for (but not all).

Also any electronics you need like your phone chargers and your lap top (you'll need that).

And that's it.
Reply 7
Original post by Mr Wednesday
Also note also that US and UK mains voltages are quite different, so be careful about things like phone chargers, laptop power bricks etc. UK mains is 240V (with different shaped plugs and sockets), the US is 110V and plugging US kit into a UK socket can result in bang / smoke / dead kit - though some can be "international" and ok in both places - but you will need a plug adapter.

Standard voltage in the US has been 120V for decades now, apparently, but your point still holds true.

OP needs to check anything electrical he wants to bring to the UK to make sure it will work. A lot of stuff these days will work on both voltages, but a lot of stuff won't. It's necessary to check the label on/near the power supply to check. Also, it's necessary to check that the frequency is supported; the US uses 60Hz, the UK uses 50Hz.

So, the important thing to check is that the device allows for use at 240 volts and 50 hertz. Things like USB chargers and laptop chargers generally support a range of 100-240V and 50/60Hz. For these you just need a plug adapter.

For anything that can't run at 240V/50Hz, the best thing is not to bring it, and get a replacement device that does once in the UK.

Transformers are available that can convert 240V down to 120V, but they are limited capacity (so can only be used for low power devices), and won't convert the frequency, and so should be avoided.

[Nominal voltage in the UK is 230V; but used to be 240V]

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