University student is clear to return gadget (7)
I believe the answer is:
utensil
'gadget' is the definition.
(thesaurus)
'university student is clear to return' is the wordplay.
'university' becomes 'u'.
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'clear' becomes 'net' (as in net profit).
'to return' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'l'+'is'+'net'='lisnet'
'lisnet' reversed gives 'tensil'.
'u'+'tensil'='UTENSIL'
(Other definitions for utensil that I've seen before include "Can opener, for example" , "Containers for kitchen use" , "E.g. colander" , "Implement for practical use" , "A kitchen instrument or container" .)