New UCAS Report Reveals Students Begin University Shopping Season Earlier Than Ever
The recently released report, “Finding Their Place 2025,” by UCAS, has shed light on the increasing trend of students and their parents starting their university shopping as early as June. This early start to the university preparation season provides a critical opportunity for brands to engage with student households and establish meaningful connections before the start of the new academic year.
According to the report, 63% of students consider sticking to a budget as one of their biggest stresses while shopping for university essentials. Additionally, 24% of students feel anxious about living independently for the first time, 22% are worried about cooking for themselves, and 26% experience stress when it comes to meal planning. Furthermore, 32% of parents express concern about their child’s ability to maintain a healthy diet once they leave home.
This shift in the university shopping season presents a golden opportunity for brands to connect with student households early on and offer support, reassurance, and value as they navigate this significant life moment.
The report also reveals key findings, such as the fact that 40% of students start purchasing kitchenware before results day in August, and up to 47% shop early for bedroom essentials like bedding and towels. Additionally, July is the peak month for tech shopping, with 13% of students planning to buy laptops, 12% desktop computers, 13% tablets, 11% TVs, and 13% headphones. Amazon is a crucial platform for these purchases, with 34% of students using it to buy headphones.
The report also highlights the important role parents play in the university shopping season, as they often shop alongside their children in-store, especially for practical and high-value items. While parents tend to focus on utility-based purchases, students prioritize comfort and style-based items.
The report also delves into the top concerns of students and parents, with basic life skills being a major stressor. Nearly a quarter of students (24%) express anxiety about living independently, and 22% worry about cooking for themselves. Additionally, budgeting is a significant concern for 63% of students and 43% of parents, while 32% of parents fear that their child won’t eat well once they leave home.
Jo Richards, Senior Insight Lead at UCAS, explains the significance of this early start to the university shopping season, stating, “With budgets under pressure, parents, guardians, and students are choosing to shop earlier to help spread the cost of essential tech and study equipment. This isn’t just about ticking things off a list before term starts, but managing finances and feeling confident that the items they are investing in will last the length of their course.”
Richards goes on to emphasize the opportunity for retailers and brands to provide support through clear guidance, longer promotional windows, and smarter payment options. By understanding how families are planning and budgeting ahead of time, brands can not only ease financial pressure but also build trust and loyalty with student customers during this crucial stage.
The data used in this report was sourced from UCAS’s “Finding Their Place 2025” report, which surveyed students and parents preparing for university in the UK. For expert commentary or interview opportunities with Jo Richards, Senior Insight Lead at UCAS, please contact rebecca@jbh.co.uk. The full report is available on UCAS’s website at https://www.ucas.com/business/brands/new-2025-report-finding-their-place.
Distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/
