London is expensive, your schedule is packed, and you always own more than you thought. Student moves don’t have to be painful. Whether you’re heading into halls, settling into a house-share or working out what to do with your things over summer, this guide covers the lot.
Moving into halls for the first time
Most halls rooms are compact: somewhere between 10 and 14 square metres with a bed, a desk and basic shelving already fitted. Check what the room provides before you pack anything. There’s nothing worse than hauling a bedside lamp across the country and finding one already there.
Your halls will usually give you a specific move-in window, often just two or three hours on a fixed day. Arrive on time, have everything labelled and ready to unload, and you’ll be in and settled quickly. Most rooms can be unloaded in a single van trip.
What you actually need for halls: bedding, a laptop, kitchen basics, a towel, a few boxes of clothes and anything on the halls welcome list. Leave the rest at home or put it into secure storage until you know exactly what your room needs. A man and van is usually the right call for a halls move: cost-effective, flexible on timing, and more than big enough for one room of belongings.
Moving into a house-share
House-shares are a bigger undertaking. You’re likely bringing more furniture, a full wardrobe, perhaps a few pieces from home. That means more planning and a larger vehicle.
Coordinate with your housemates before you book anything. If everyone arrives on the same day, you’ll all need parking and stairwell access at the same time. Agree on time slots so you’re not queueing at the front door or blocking the hallway.
Give your removals company the full picture upfront: which floor you’re on, whether there’s a lift, how wide the stairs are, and how close a van can park. London conversion flats and Victorian terraces regularly come with tight stairwells and no nearby parking. The right crew plans for that. Our flat removals team handles these situations as part of every day’s work.
Pack room by room. Double-walled boxes are good for books and breakables, wardrobe cartons keep clothes crease-free, and bubble wrap protects anything fragile. Label every box with its contents and the room it’s going to. It makes unpacking far less chaotic.
What to do with your stuff over summer
Most student house-shares run September to June. That leaves a gap, and taking everything home is not always practical, especially if you’re flying or your family home is already full.
Short-term storage solves the problem neatly. You pay only for the space you use, your belongings are covered by insurance throughout, and you can collect everything at the start of next term. No more imposing on friends or cramming boxes into a parent’s hallway.
Be selective about what you put into storage. Bulky items, spare bedding, textbooks and kitchen kit are good candidates. Anything valuable, in daily use or personally important is better taken with you. Just Removals London offers flexible secure storage with no long minimum contract, so it works around your term dates.
Man and van or full removals?
For most student moves, a man and van is the right fit. It costs less, works around your timetable, and handles one or two rooms of belongings without any fuss. A single room in halls or a small studio move typically takes two to three hours.
A full removals crew makes more sense when you’re moving a full house-share with multiple rooms of furniture, bringing large or heavy items from a family home, or when access is genuinely difficult: no lift, a long carry, or awkward stairs. The team wraps everything, manages the carry, and places your boxes in the right room at the other end. You don’t lift a thing.
Book early. Student move dates cluster in September, June and January, and the better companies fill up several weeks ahead of those dates. Leave it late and the slots you want will already be gone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a student move in London cost?
A man and van for a small student move typically starts from around £90 to £150, depending on time, distance and crew size. A full house-share move with a removals team will cost more. Just Removals London gives you a free, fixed-price quote, so you know exactly what you’re paying before the day.
Can I store my things between university terms?
Yes. Just Removals London offers secure short-term storage on flexible terms. Your belongings are insured throughout and you can arrange collection and delivery to fit around your term dates. There’s no long minimum contract to worry about.
What is the best way to move into halls?
Pack only what you actually need, check what the room already provides, and book a man and van if you’re travelling any real distance. Arrive in your move-in window with everything clearly labelled and ready to unload. Most halls moves take under two hours with the right vehicle and crew.
Do I need a professional packing service for a student move?
For most student moves, packing yourself is perfectly fine. If you have fragile or high-value items, or simply run out of time, our packing and unpacking service covers materials, wrapping and labelling. The team works quickly and your belongings travel safely.