We expect that many students across London and beyond will be preparing for the big move to university very soon.

With the start of the academic year literally around the corner- we needed to see how we can save some extra cash just getting the bare minimal.

Students will be moving out of the family home in these next couple of weeks- so here's a few pointers to the best stores for all your necessities.

Not sure what 'essentials' you'll need?

Check in with your halls guide to find out what the university will be accommodating you with and what you'll be expected to bring.

Most dorm rooms will come kitted out with a duvet, bedroom bin and very basic kitchen essentials, but if you're heading to a student house, you may need to start from scratch.

Retailers to watch for some of the best bargains:

For homewares...

  • Wilko.com for cheap duvet sets and bedroom decor.
  • Ikea for affordable duvet covers and pots, pans and cutlery.
  • George at Asda for soft furnishings, bedding and cheap kitchenware.

For groceries and household items...

  • Poundland for kitchen and bathroom cleaning products.
  • ASDA for food staples and your weekly supermarket shop.
  • Lidl and Aldi low cost grocery staples.

For tech and electrical goods...

  • Currys PC World for laptops, tablets and tech accessories.
  • Argos for cheap kitchen and bedroom electricals.
  • Tesco Direct for cheap household electrical appliances, laptops and tablets.

    For everything...

    • eBay for cheap clothes, towels and everything in between.
    • Amazon for tech and and bulk-buying items household and toiletries like shampoo and toilet roll.

    Laptop/Tablet deals

    Many large retailers at this time of year- like Currys PC World and Argos launch big sales on everything from stationery to laptops.

    New students can also bag many extra freebies when making purchases on electrical goods for their new start- its always worth asking for student discounts or add ons.

    Student discount deals

    You HAVE to make the most of the huge amount of stores you can enjoy discount in when a student- with restaurant, clothing and homewares all being available at cut prices.

    The likes of clothes stores Topshop , ASOS and JD Sports will always have student savings available in store for all clothing essentials, and they can be used all year round.

    Your university will provide you with a student card on your first day of term, or when you register on campus. Flash that card whenever you can - wear it as a badge if you must.

    UNiDAYS , Student Beans and NUS Extra are the main student discount providers in the UK, and between them they offer a wealth of savings on any and everything - including a cheap mid-week takeaway or a shiny brand new Apple laptop.