
Starting your boarding school stay in the UK? This should be part of your pack list!

Hello!
Getting ready for a boarding school stay in the UK can feel like a big task – especially when it comes to packing. Some things, like clothing or laundry supplies, can be sorted closer to departure. But other essentials, such as documents and official confirmations, often take time to arrange.
Our advice: start early. Bureaucratic processes can be surprisingly slow, and leaving things too late can quickly turn the final weeks before departure into a scramble.
That’s why we recommend beginning with the hand luggage – where all the important items belong, the things that mustn’t get lost. And while you’re at it, it’s worth thinking about the big suitcase too. At von Bülow, we know what schools provide, what can be bought locally, and what pupils really need to bring. To make it easy, we’ve created a packing list covering everything from documents and tech to clothing and even a keepsake photo. This way, your child will have everything they need for their stay in the UK – without exceeding airline baggage limits.

Ties worn at Shrewsbury School

Shrewsbury's much coveted house scarfs

Darwin's legacy: natural sciences are especially well taught here.
Hand Luggage: The Essentials
As with any trip, anything that absolutely must not get lost belongs in hand luggage. You can pack up to 8kg in a small trolley or backpack, including up to one liter of liquids in containers no larger than 100 milliliters each, all in a transparent ziplock bag. Medications for personal use are exempt from this limit but must also be packed in a transparent bag – ideally with the corresponding prescription.
That’s, as they say, are the basics.
The following items absolutely belong in the hand luggage for the adventure of “Living in the UK”:
- Flight tickets
- Passport and a photocopy // Make sure the passport does not expire during the time at school
- Copy of parents' passports
- Form for unaccompanied minors supplied by airlines
- Acceptance letter for the issued visa // The visa can be applied for online no earlier than six months before the start of boarding school and is stored digitally. Print the attached letter for safety and include it in your luggage. If you have questions about this, feel free to contact us
- Credit card, cash is no longer accepted in many places in England
- Proof of health insurance, private international health insurance if applicable
- Vaccination record
- Important medications (enough for a few days)
- Glasses and contact lenses (if you have them)
- Laptop, tablet, cell phone, adapters and chargers
- Headphones
- A set of underwear, pajamas, and socks
- Travel-sized toiletries and a toothbrush
- Health insurance confirmation, possibly a private international health insurance policy
- If there’s still enough space and weight allowance, snacks and something to read—such as an e-reader—are a good idea.

Fresh from the dry-cleaner's: shirts at Wells Cathedral School
The Large Suitcase for Boarding School: With Good Planning, Everything Fits!
Many items are provided by the boarding school or need to be bought locally—like school uniforms, which are required at nearly every school on the island. However, check with your school to confirm if uniforms are indeed mandatory. Students mostly need their own clothes for after school and weekends. Laundry and drying facilities are usually available in boarding houses.
You must bring your own sports equipment, such as well-worn riding boots or your own tennis racket—which of course belongs in the large suitcase, which can weigh up to 23 kg on most airlines. Our list also includes everything general that applies to everyone.
Medications and Toiletries
Prescription medications: bring enough for the entire stay, or ensure you have a valid doctor’s prescription. (Prescriptions can generally be filled in the UK if certain conditions are met. Careful preparation and coordination with your doctor and health insurer can help avoid complications.)
Over-the-counter medications
Skin cream and lotion
Razor and nail scissors
Other personal cosmetics and hygiene items
Electronics
An additional UK plug adapter
Calculator (phones are not allowed in class)
Hair dryer
Headphones
Flashlight
USB stick and external hard drive
Bags
A waterproof duffel bag or backpack for excursions and sports
A school bag or school backpack
Sports Gear
Flip-flops
Swimsuit or swim trunks
Bathrobe
Sports underwear
Sports socks
Trainers (both indoor and outdoor shoes)\
Water bottle
Clothing and Shoes
Formal clothes for concerts, church services, etc. (e.g., blouse/shirt and dress pants/skirt)
Casual clothing and loungewear: sweatpants, hoodie, t-shirt, cozy socks or slippers
Sleepwear
Comfortable school shoes that match the uniform (no trainers)
Waterproof hiking boots
Socks and underwear for 1–2 weeks
School Supplies
While school materials are also available in the UK, shopping in the first few days can be hectic. So, it's a good idea to pack:
Pencil case, notepad, pens, calculator