Christmas Closure Dates and Support and Facilities Information for Students
While we can expect that students will largely remain off campus over the Christmas period, support will be offered to those of them who may need it.
There will be reduced access to facilities and services around the ‘closure’ period of Tuesday 24 December to Sunday 5 January inclusive.
We can confirm that during that time:
- The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) will remain open to students at the times set out below. Students should use their ID card to access the building via the main entrance. The LRC open access areas will be open 24/7 over the Christmas period. However, the internal rooms in the LRC will be closed from 4pm on Monday 23 December reopening at 8am on Monday 6 January.
- The tiers in the atrium will be open 24 hours a day. This includes 25 and 26 December and 1 and 2 January.
- Library Services staff will be available on site or remotely up until 4pm on Monday 23 December and from 8.30am on 6 January.
- The Accommodation Reception will be open until 4pm on Monday 23 December, reopening on Monday 6 January at 9am. During the Christmas closure period, 24/7 support and assistance will continue to be available through the Campus Operations (Security) team.
- The Campus Operations (Security) team will be on duty 24/7 throughout the closure period. They can be contacted in person at the main reception or by calling 0131 474 0000.
- The Helpdesk will be open until 4pm on Monday 23 December. The service will reopen at 8am on Monday 6 January.
- Student Services will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period, but if you find yourself or someone you know experiencing a mental health crisis or health emergency, please know that support is available. Any student needing support during this time is advised to contact one of the relevant services as set out at the bottom of this message.
- Catering and Retail Services
Catering Service opening and closure details 2024 Catering Service Closure Reopening Guthrie's Food Court Closes after lunch service on Friday 13 December. Will reopen on Monday 13 January with a reduced lunch offer 11.30am - 2.30pm. Full service will resume on Monday 20 January. The Hux
Closes at 3.30pm on Friday 20 December. Reopens on Monday 6 January at 8.30am. Maggie's Closes Monday 23 December at 1pm.
Reopens on Saturday 4 January from 10am – 4pm. There will then be reduced hours in Maggie’s operating until Saturday 18 January.
Full details around reduced hours will be advertised via Maggie’s social media platforms.
The Nook Closes Monday 23 December at 3pm.
Reopens Monday 6 January.
- International Office Support - The International Office will continue to run face to face and online drop-in sessions up to and including Friday 20 December. Details of the sessions can be found on their opportunities to meet us web page. We strongly recommend that you make the International team aware of all support requests no later than 4pm on Friday 20 December.
- Sport Facilities - The Sport & Fitness facilities will close at 8pm on Monday 23 December and will reopen at 7am on Monday 6 January.
Sources of help for any mental health crisis or health emergency
If you find yourself or someone you know experiencing a mental health crisis or Health Emergency, please know that support is available:
- Call 999 if you or someone you know experiences an acute life-threatening medical or mental health emergency.
- Contact NHS 24 – Free phone: 111 for medical advice.
- For non-acute medical issues contact your GP. For students living on campus contact Riverside Medical Practice.
- NHS Emergency Mental Health Assessment can be available through contacting the Mental Health Assessment Service on 0131 537 6000. This is a self-referral service and is based in the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Place, Edinburgh.
- can be contacted directly on 0808 801 0414 if you want to discuss a mental health crisis.
If you need someone to talk to out of hours please contact:
- ; Free Phone 0800 838587 Monday - Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm-6am.
- ; Free Phone 116123, Open 24/7.
- Edinburgh Night Line: confidential support for students 8pm-8am term-time. Tel: 0131 557 4444.
- , which provides 24/7 online support for mental health and all Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ students have access using your Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ email address to log in.
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, violence, intimate partner violence, assault, or rape and you need support and advice please contact:
- Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline, for advice on all forms of relationship abuse, call them on 0800 027 12342 or chat at
- Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline, . Helpline - call them on 0800 010302.
- Beiras Place for women experiencing rape and sexual assault Telephone: 0131 526 3944.
- SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) - contact via their website or call on 0800 148 88 88.
- Fear free support for men and LGBT+ - call them on 0131 624 7270.
If we need to update you on any significant changes to services over the closure period, we will do so via our website and on social media.
We wish everyone in the Î÷¹ÏÊÓƵ community a safe and happy break.
