Invest �280 in a gym for 7 months or basic home exercise equipment?

You're definitely not going to build muscle at any noticeable rate using the equipment you listed. How much you "know" about weight training? Could you do with a few pointers from an instructor? I'd invest in a membership as having spent the money will probably motivate you to go. Just make sure you get value for your money - your induction and a new routine every month or so (usually included, no need to shell out for personal training). You'd probably have to spend close to �250 to get any half-decent equipment at home. And the uni gym will definitely be cheap. A friend of mine pays just �10 per month for a uni gym in London, and I payed �25 per YEAR in Leicester a few years ago.