University essentials
Finding the right resources shouldn’t be difficult - but with thousands of products to sort through, the process can easily become overwhelming and far more time-consuming than it needs to be. What should support your teaching, research or day-to-day university life often turns into an exhausting hunt for the right fit.
This page is designed to change that. We’ve streamlined navigation, highlighted key product and category recommendations and brought helpful support together in one place to make it easier for universities to quickly find exactly what they’re looking for.
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VOLTCRAFT DPPS-16-30 Bench Mount PSU 1-16 VDC 30A 480W
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Rapid Moisture Tester Project Kit (Class Pack of 20 Sets)
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Whadda WSG112 Random Generated Pattern Brain Game Build Your Own Kit
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Essential equipment for universities
A well-equipped university lab provides the foundation for advanced teaching, research, and hands-on experimentation. From electronics benches and robotics labs to prototyping workshops and engineering studios, having the right tools ensures students can explore complex concepts with confidence and accuracy. The following overview highlights the most relevant equipment for higher education environments, naturally incorporating key products across bench equipment, robotics, microcontrollers, adhesives, 3D printing, and soldering solutions.
Bench equipment for electronics & engineering
High-quality bench equipment is essential for modern engineering and electronics courses. Universities rely on a range of bench power supplies to support circuit testing and design. Whether you’re using adjustable voltage PSUs, fixed voltage PSUs, or a triple output PSU, these units deliver stable, reliable power needed for both teaching labs and advanced project spaces. Alongside power supplies, bench multimeters and digital multimeters remain vital for precision measurement, giving students accurate readings of voltage, resistance, current, and other key parameters during practical work.
Robotics for automation, mechatronics & research
Robotics plays an increasingly prominent role in university courses, bridging engineering, computing, AI, and automation. Many faculties utilise ready-to-go robots and research robots, offering students hands-on experience with control systems, programming, and algorithm development. Robotic arms, along with a wide range of robotic arm accessories, are especially valuable for engineering and automation labs, enabling learners to explore motion control, kinematics, and real-world industrial applications. For earlier-stage modules or introductory workshops, robotics kits provide an accessible way for students to design, build, and program complete robotic systems while learning core STEM principles.
Single-board computers for computing, IoT & prototyping
Single-board computers are central to modern university teaching in computing, embedded systems, IoT, and digital design. Raspberry Pi main boards and microcontrollers form a flexible platform for coding, system design, and IoT projects, while Raspberry Pi kits offer an all-in-one solution perfect for classroom use or structured modules. Many courses also integrate Arduino Education boards and Arduino kits, which are ideal for programming fundamentals, robotics, and electronics prototyping. More advanced learners often work with the Adafruit Feather development platform, benefiting from its modular design and rapid prototyping capabilities. To expand functionality even further, universities make frequent use of breakout boards, development boards, and add-on boards, along with specialist components such as Raspberry Pi camera modules and accessories for computer vision and imaging projects.
Adhesives, tapes & lab consumables
Across engineering workshops, maker spaces, and art and design departments, adhesives remain essential for bonding, assembly, and rapid prototyping. Universities often rely on a wide selection of glues, liquid adhesives, and bonding solutions for both technical builds and creative work. A complementary range of tapes, including masking tape, electrical tape, and double-sided tape, supports everything from electronics and laboratory setups to model making and construction tasks. For more advanced engineering and electronics applications, materials such as sealants, resins and potting compounds, and preparation and protective coatings are crucial for protecting components and increasing durability during long-term research projects. Ensuring clean and precise work is just as important, which is why many labs also use air dusters and cleaners/degreasers to maintain components, workbenches, and sensitive equipment.
3D Printing for prototyping & engineering innovation
3D printing continues to be a core part of university engineering, design, and research programmes. A selection of 3D printers allows students to rapidly prototype components, test concepts, and develop functional models. These printers work seamlessly with a wide range of 3D filament, giving learners flexibility over material types, strengths, finishes, and applications. This combination supports disciplines from product design and architecture to mechanical engineering and robotics.
Soldering for electronics assembly & repair
Labs and workshops depend heavily on precise, reliable soldering tools. Soldering stations offer the stability and temperature control required for professional-level assembly work, while soldering irons and soldering iron tips support more flexible use across student projects. A full range of solder, including wire and paste, is essential for circuit building, with solder flux and solder wicks helping ensure clean and accurate joints. For more advanced tasks, universities also utilise desoldering and reworking tools, giving students practical experience in repairing and modifying circuits. To maintain safety standards, many labs rely on soldering fume extractors, particularly important in teaching environments where large groups are working simultaneously. A variety of soldering accessories, from stands to cleaning sponges, completes the setup for an organised and efficient workspace.