Student Moving Guide

Moving between student houses, halls and home is a regular part of university life. The good news is that student moves are usually small and straightforward — boxes, bags, a few small furniture items and a lot of textbooks. The challenge is doing it affordably and without losing anything in the process.

Typical student move costs

A student move — typically boxes, suitcases and small furniture from a shared house or halls — usually takes 1–2 hours with a man and van. At £19 per hour (or £55 in London), that means a total cost of roughly £19–£110 (or £55–£120 in London).

Split between housemates, this can be very affordable. If three of you are moving from the same house on the same day, you could share the van and split the cost three ways.

Packing tips for students

• Use suitcases first — They are free, sturdy and easy to carry. Reserve them for heavy items like books.
• Bin bags for soft items — Bedding, clothes and towels travel well in heavy-duty bin bags. Label them clearly.
• Ask local shops for boxes — Supermarkets and off-licences often have sturdy boxes they are happy to give away.
• Wrap fragile items in clothes — Plates, mugs and glasses can be wrapped in t-shirts and jumpers instead of bubble wrap.
• Label everything with your name and new room — Especially in shared houses where multiple people are moving at once.
• Take photos of shared items — If you are splitting furniture with housemates, photograph the condition before the move in case of disputes.

Timing your student move

Student move dates cluster around the end of June and start of September. These are the busiest periods for man and van operators in university cities like Birmingham, Nottingham, Leeds and London. To keep costs down:

• Book early — Movers get booked up quickly around term-end. Submit your request at least a week in advance.
• Move mid-week — Tuesday to Thursday is less busy and may be easier to schedule.
• Avoid the last weekend of June — This is the single busiest weekend for student moves in the UK.
• Coordinate with housemates — If you can all move on the same day from the same address, you can share the van and the cost.

Access notes that help your mover

Student accommodation often has access challenges that affect how long the move takes. Tell your mover about:

• Parking — Is there a parking space near the building, or will the van need to park on the street? Are there permit-only zones?
• Stairs vs lifts — Which floor are you on? Is there a lift, and is it big enough for boxes and furniture?
• Narrow corridors — Halls of residence and older terraced houses often have tight corners and narrow hallways.
• Key fobs or entry codes — If the building requires fob access or has a gate code, share this in advance.

What not to move

• Perishable food — Use it up or bin it. Do not put open food in the van.
• Broken furniture — If it was falling apart in your old house, do not pay to move it to the new one.
• Other people's stuff — Make sure everything you are moving belongs to you or your housemates, not the landlord.

Student moves on Man and Van Club

Man and Van Club lets you submit your move details for free. A verified mover reviews your postcodes, item list and access notes, then sends a quote. Your contact details stay private until you accept the quote. This means no unwanted calls from multiple companies — just one quote from one verified mover.