Student support over the winter break
Posted on 7 December 2024
Emergency support on campus
Campus Safety is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - if it's urgent, call 01904 32 3333 or download the SafeZone app for a quick response to any security or safety issue on campus.
Winter vacation and University closure
Vacation runs from Monday 16 December 2024 until Monday 6 January 2025.
Staff and some services may have more limited availability during University closure days from Monday 23 December 2024, reopening Thursday 2 January 2025.
If you're staying in York
If you’re staying in campus accommodation over the vacation, see changes to cleaning and reception services, plus information about fault reporting.
Retail and catering outlet opening times change during the vacation - visit Eat at York opening times or use MyUoY app to see what is open and when.
First York operates a limited bus timetable on University of York services from Sunday 15 December and resumes normal service on Sunday 5 January 2025.
Winter building closures
We are operating a limited opening or closure programme across a number of buildings on campus over the vacation to help reduce costs and our carbon footprint. This may not affect most buildings that students use - communal student areas such as the Library and sports centres remain open most of the break. Church Lane building is closed on Tuesday 17 December 2024, due to maintenance work.
Winter Break Social Hubs are open
Derwent College and Goodricke College common rooms are open everyday from 9am to 6pm for you to meet other people staying on campus, revise or relax. Not all college common rooms are open - check with your college to see if yours is available.
Student Hub
The Student Hub reception is closed 16-20 December 2024, due to essential maintenance work. You will still be able to contact the Student Hub that week via phone, email, Live Chat or scheduled appointments but you won’t be able to drop-in. The Student Hub is also completely closed during the University closure days from 4pm Friday 20 December 2024, reopening 10am on Thursday 2 January 2025.
Careers and Placements
The Careers and Placements building is closed from Friday 13 December 2024 but Careers and Placements are still available for online appointments and queries until the end of Friday 20 December 2024. Normal service resumes on Monday 6 January 2025.
Events
See MyUoY app or student events for college events and other activities taking place over the vacation - college events are open to all students during the vacation, regardless of which college you belong to. You can also check York Sport opening hours and timetables.
The Chaplaincy is organising two events for students:
18 Dec: Lunch and Christmas Craft at Heslington Church (free)
Come for lunch and stay to make a Christmas tabletop design with the church flower team (12.30pm – 3pm). The church is open from 10am for an exhibition of nativity scenes from Columbia.
1 Jan: New Year’s Day Lunch with the Chaplains
Enjoy a three-course lunch and some time with the Chaplains at More House at the start of the new year. Places are limited - please book a free place by emailing catherine.reid@york.ac.uk.
If you're leaving York
Before you leave, don’t forget to return your library books! They may still be recalled over the vacation.
IMPORTANT: Student visa holder?
If you have a student visa, remember you must set up your UKVI account and eVisa before you travel. If you don’t, you may experience problems returning to the UK after the break. Our advice is to also keep your BRP with you when you travel.
Keeping connected
Stay connected with the Virtual Private Network (VPN) or the Virtual Desktop Service (VDS). Find out more about working off-campus.
IT Support will close from 5pm on Friday 20 December 2024 and will reopen at 9am on Thursday 2 January 2025, though they will respond to emergencies. See more about IT Services over the Christmas vacation period.
Academic support wherever you are
See key Library dates for the Christmas vacation, including when to return your books, submit request deadlines and Lab opening hours. The main Library is generally open, except on 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025. See self service information and contact the Library any time via the Library chat service.
Keep up with your reading list via the Library’s e-resources and check out our online skills guides.
Academic Skills Community workshops and one-to-one study and coaching appointments continue over the break. Appointments are available until Friday 20 December 2024 and start again on Monday 6 January 2025.
Wellbeing support wherever you are
We know that this can be a difficult time of year for many people and sources of help and support are still available over the break, including Campus Safety.
The Student Hub and the Open Door team operate 10am-4pm vacation opening hours from Monday 16 December 2024 until Monday 6 January 2025 (apart from prearranged appointments), though services are closed between 4pm on Friday 20 December 2024 and 9am Thursday 2 January 2025.
Download TalkCampus now to get 24/7 wellbeing support over the Christmas break. It's a global network of students from all around the world so whenever you need support, someone is always there.
