Moving into halls will be an exciting time and there will be lots of things you'll need and want to bring with you.
Our main arrival weekend for 2024/25 is 21 and 22 September 2024 but some sites will offer arrivals in the days preceding this. A full table of arrival dates per site for 2024/25 will be published in the months preceding September 2024.
Students known to the University’s Student Disability and Inclusion team may be able to arrive on Thursday 19 September, which will be a quieter arrivals experience. If you think you would benefit from this, please contact the Student Disability and Inclusion team to request it.
All other students will be required to book an arrival date and time. This can be done after you have completed your Essential Life in Halls induction, which goes live in August 2024 for 2024/25 arrivals, on the accommodation portal. New arrivals receive an email to confirm once the induction and arrival slots are live.
We also understand plans change, so if you can no longer arrive on the date you originally selected you can log back into your account on our accommodation portal and select a different available timeslot.
New international students living in University of Southampton halls can book onto our Meet and Greet service. Dates for each year are updated yearly.
Upon arrival there will be a buzz at your halls site, with hundreds of students arriving to their new home. You will be directed to the best place where you can park and unload.
It’s then time to head to the key collection point, which will be signposted, to collect your room key or electronic keyfob.
Trolleys will be available to borrow to transport your belongings, and student ambassadors will be located around the site to direct you to your block and answer any queries.
Please note, there is limited parking available at each unloading area and therefore you will be required to move your vehicle after unloading to allow everyone else to unload when they arrive.
It can be difficult knowing what you need to bring with you. Our best advice is to travel light! Just bring enough kitchen/ cooking items to get you started – any forgotten items can then be bought with your flat mates to share. There’s already a lot included in your accommodation so check what’s included below, to avoid doubling up on things.
When packing, try to use reusable items, such as suitcases, that can either be sent home or stored easily after arrival and avoid cardboard boxes wherever possible as they create a lot of waste.
Mains extension leads can be used provided that the load on the extension is a maximum of 13 amps and one lead per socket. Cables should be positioned carefully and not present a trip hazard.
Top tip: don’t forget a bottle/can opener
You don't necessarily need to bring all these things with you on day one - you could wait to see what your flat mates bring with them so that you don't end up with 8 kettles or cheese graters!
Bedrooms
Kitchens in self-catered residences
Please note: in our Enhanced Plus flats at Wessex Lane (Montefiore 1), the hobs are induction hobs requiring induction pans.
Kitchen/pantries in catered residences
And lastly, we will provide you with a cleaning pack which will get you through the first few weeks.
On moving day there will be some important things you’ll need to have to hand:
If you have any questions not answered on our pages feel free to contact the Student Hub Accommodation Line via email accommodation@soton.ac.uk.
We look forward to welcoming you very soon!
There are plenty of shops and large supermarkets in Southampton where you’ll be able to pick up the essentials. Or, order a bedroom, bathroom or kitchen starter pack from UniKitOut using code SOUTH10 for a 10% discount.
Student areas