Are designer totes really the norm for university bags now

[Fourpaw]

I have just entered the unexpected world of pain that is helping my daughter to buy a bag for uni. It needs to hold laptop, water bottle etc. I had no idea that backpacks are totally out and that girls seem to be carrying very expensive designer totes? Is this true? Help!

Mine has a satchel.
Bought off vinted. Not a girly girl.

Not to resurrect an old-ish thread - but my office is between LSE and King's College. I've just been past Corner Store (which in itself is expensive) and there were so many students having lunch - I saw Hermes, Gucci, Chanel (x3), Goyard, Mui Mui, LV - so there are definitely some types of students that have these bags for uni (albeit I'm fairly certain at least one Chanel was fake).