It’s nearly that time again – the summer holidays are drawing to a close, and a new academic year is on the horizon. Whether you have a little one starting school, are getting set for a new term, or the countdown is on before heading off to uni, there’s a lot to consider and organise.
With all this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of back-to-school and university buys to have on your radar. From everyday staples like water bottles and deodorants to headphones, shoes and meal delivery subscriptions, these top picks have all angles covered.
Keep reading for our roundup of essentials to shop ahead of a new term, as well as some savings to snap up right now.
Stomp onto campus in Dr. Martens
Iconic brand Dr. Martens needs little introduction. With classic, trend-led silhouettes, current collections famously evolved from a work shoe. The footwear name boasts the kind of toughness and high-quality construction that’ll last for years, and its signature, bold aesthetic elevates any look. Lean into a smart finish with the classic 1461 shoe, Adrian tassel loafer or Mary Jane silhouette, or try a chunky platform style for extra edginess.
The Dr. Martens satchels and backpack range is ideal for carrying study essentials – expect the same attitude-packed style and hardwearing design the brand’s footwear is known for here, too. Plus, students can get 10 per cent off full-price items online and in Dr. Martens stores.
Power your ideas with Adobe
Calling all students and teachers – Adobe is running a deal that saves you 50 per cent for the first three months of annual subscription of Adobe Creative Cloud Pro, which works out as £32.66 per month for the first three months of annual subscription and £66.49 per month thereafter. With everything you need to bring ideas to life, this package gives access to more than 20 Creative Cloud apps across graphics, photo editing, design work, audio and video, spanning everything from Photoshop to Acrobat Pro.
You can use multiple creative apps at once and make the most of AI tools for images, video and audio. Discover AI-powered tools in Adobe Firefly, bring flair to your CV in InDesign, build a portfolio to impress, edit headshots, and share projects anywhere with ease. The deal is valid for new subscriptions only.
Tick off the university checklist with Wilko
Packing for university can be daunting – and expensive. Enter, Wilko, a one-stop shop for kitchen and home essentials, from everyday appliances to cookware, cleaning and laundry supplies and more. Even better, there are deals to snap up now on university essentials, so a shopping haul doesn’t have to break the bank. Need a toaster for your shared uni house? Wilko’s stainless steel 2 slices toaster is reduced by 30 per cent (now £6.99, was £9.99. Looking for a low-cost air fryer? Wilko’s compact air fryer has £5 off, so you can nab it for just £24.99.
Space is often at a premium in student accommodation, but there are plenty of savvy solutions that’ll slot into every kind of kitchen, too. Whether you’re doing a big shop or need to snap up last-minute buys, it doesn’t get more convenient than this. Students (and parents) can find everything they might need ahead of the big move at Wilko.
Nab a refurbished MacBook Pro for less at Wowcher
Looking to save big on a new laptop? Wowcher has slashed the price of a refurbished Apple MacBook Pro by more than half, so it’s now an impressive £124. The Pro is a great option for typing lecture notes, writing essays, streaming or jumping on a video call for a remote class. Providing reliable performance powered by Apple’s Intel Core 2 Duo, which handles browsing, documents and streaming, it has a crisp display to showcase videos and documents clearly.
Pre-Installed with macOS El Capitan, and with Microsoft Office also included, it comes with 4GB ram and 320GB drive for storing all your documents and media. There’s a replacement charger and an adapter included for ease. And, as this is a refurbished model, it saves on waste as well as cash, making it a more environmentally-friendly choice. This deal is available on the 13in and the 15in MacBook Pro models.
Stay alert with Shokz headphones
What makes Shokz headphones special is their open-ear design. Whether you’re listening to a motivational playlist in the gym or a podcast on the way home, they won’t completely block out your surroundings. The headphones are designed to stay securely in place and handle sweat, while remaining comfortable for hours.
There’s something to suit every need and budget. Nab 25 per cent off the training and sports-focused OpenRun and OpenMove, or 30 per cent off the lightweight and ultra-comfortable OpenFit Air, for instance. Or, the OpenFit 2+ which, with Dolby Audio, is a premium choice for enhanced and clearer audio, now has 20 per cent off. These limited-time offers are well worth snapping up ahead of the new term.
Stock up on Wild’s refillable deodorant
Start the new academic year feeling your best with Wild’s refillable deodorant. Housed in packaging that reduces plastic waste, the deodorant offers 24-hour odour protection. It’s aluminium-free, and made with certified cruelty-free and vegan, 98 per cent natural origin ingredients. Plus, there are options for sensitive skin, so there’s something for everyone. And there’s no boring packaging here, either. Wild sets itself apart with its cool, colourful designs that allow everyone to make it their own – think florals, leopard print, and much more.
What’s more, Wild doesn’t just do deodorants. The Bubble Bath and 2-in-1 Hair & Body Wash is great for bath-time. Available in delicious, fruity scents, the fun designs (think, a magical wild unicorn, or Peppa Pig) are sure to be a hit with little ones. Parents can also rest assured that the formulas are paediatrician-approved, dermatologist-tested, and gentle on sensitive skin. Subscribe to Wild’s bath-time essentials to take the hassle out of stocking up again when you run out.
To save on your order, use the discount code ‘AWAFF20’ and get 20 per cent off everything.
Discover the sustainably-focused Ocean Bottle
There’s no doubt a reusable water bottle is essential for keeping focus during long days of learning. Ocean Bottle isn’t just about hydration though. On a mission to reduce plastic waste, the brand prevents the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles from ending up in the ocean. So far, it has funded the collection of 2 billion plastic bottles in weight.
Made with 90 per cent recycled stainless steel, this also helps to keep drinks either cool or hot for longer. Built to last, and available in a range of colours, you can pop them into a bag with laptops and folders and the leak-proof design ensures peace of mind. From 25 August to 22 September, get 15 per cent off all Ocean Bottles and Brew Flasks (apart from the Liberty London collection). There’s a minimum spend of £35 and discount does not apply to shipping, but it can be used in combination with a shipping discount.
Add flavour to term-time dinners with Gousto
Shake up your midweek meals and discover something new with Gousto. Taking the hassle out of dinnertime, Gousto makes it easier to serve up quick, healthy and delicious meals by delivering recipes and fresh, seasonal ingredients straight to your door. There are more than 175 recipes to choose from every week, and some can be ready in as little as 10 minutes.
Additionally, you can unlock meals for as little as £1.60 on your first box. So whether you're a university student who needs to refuel between lectures, or a busy family household needing speedy, crowd-pleasing dinners, it’s sure to be a game-changer on those bare-fridge days. Right now, you can try your first box for 50 per cent off, get 40 per cent off the second box, and 20 per cent off for two months.
*T&C's: £1.60 based on new customer price per portion on a five x four subscription box. Excludes surcharges.
Celebrate results day with jewellery from Bijoux De Mimi
The jewellery brand created by founder Amelia during lockdown, it’s no surprise Bijoux De Mimi is a favourite among Gen-Z jewellery fans. Characterised by playfully colourful, delicate, and super-stackable designs – think jewel-toned charm bracelets and elevated huggie earrings – the collection is an absolute treasure trove designed to inject joy into any outfit.
With the same vibrant, personality-packed look Bijoux De Mimi is so beloved for, the new summer collection is also waterproof – perfect for poolside lounging and festival season. From charm-adorned anklets to belly chains, it’s all available in both gold and silver so there’s a piece to slot into every jewellery collection.
And with A-level results arriving this month, don’t miss 20 per cent off the summer collection, on Thursday 20 August, when you use the code ‘RESULTSDAY20.’ Plus, there’s free shipping when you spend more than £50, and a free piece of jewellery when you spend more than £60.