About the University of Leicester

Support, opening times and services during the holiday season

From Friday 16 December some of our University services' opening hours change due to the festive season.

Although the University is closed between Friday 23 December and Tuesday 3 January, reopening on Wednesday 4 January, we are here for you throughout the holiday period.

If you are not aware, the UK observes Bank Holidays on Monday 26 December, Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January when banks and many local and national shops and services will be closed. Some of these services may also be affected on Christmas Day (Sunday 25 December) and New Year’s Day (Sunday 1 January). The University will also be closed on Tuesday 3 January. View University closure days.

Urgent support 

  • Call 999 for the police, ambulance or fire services. If you feel your safety or wellbeing is at immediate risk, please call 999. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, ring 111 to speak to a trained professional who will direct you to the appropriate NHS service.
  • University security will continue to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including Christmas Day and all other closure days. They can respond directly to incidents on campus, including in halls of residence. Call 0116 252 2023 (non-emergency) or 0116 252 2888 (emergency). This can also be done using the Safezone app. University Security can also support you with contacting emergency services and signposting to appropriate support.
  • The Village, The City and Opal Court receptions are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 0116 252 2428 or accommodation@le.ac.uk.
  • Access wellbeing and counselling support through Health Assured (log-in required) anytime you need it. It’s available 24/7, 365 days a year. You can also contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
  • If you have an urgent financial issue that is impacting your immediate daily living costs during the University closure days, please contact Security. Depending on your circumstances you may be issued an e-voucher of £25.
  • If you are struggling to find a place to stay over the vacation, you can book a place in one of our halls of residence from £10 a night. Email accommodation@le.ac.uk by Thursday 22 December to find out more.
  • Over the festive season the University of Leicester has committed to providing emergency temporary accommodation for our students who need to leave a domestically abusive household and have nowhere else safe to stay. This accommodation will be provided with no associated costs to students and the length of stay will be agreed on a case-by-case basis. To access temporary accommodation if you need to leave a domestically abusive household please contact security on 0116 252 2023 or email security@le.ac.uk
  • If you are planning any kind of travel during the vacation we would encourage you to check in advance that your journey is not impacted by adverse weather, rail or border force strikes. Should your travel plans be disrupted and you are unexpectedly staying in Leicester, you don’t have to spend it on your own – check out the listed student events, where you will be welcomed. If you are leaving Leicester for the holidays please plan ahead for your return for the start of term in January and keep your School informed if you experience any unexpected delays.

Support for staff and students

  • Whether or not Christmas is part of your life, staff wellbeing remains a priority for us over the festive break. We recognise that the festive season can be challenging for many people - it's a time of year that can put extra pressure on us and can affect our health in many ways whether mentally, emotionally, physically or financially. It's common for people to find themselves feeling overwhelmed, so that's why protecting your holistic wellbeing, and supporting others is important. Please visit our Wellbeing resources for the festive season webpage (log-in required) for tips and advice on how to look after your wellbeing over the festive break.
  • Students can find out more on support on our health, safety and wellbeing pages, including external support signposting.
  • The Residence Life events programme is running every day over the break and is available to all students, not only those who live in our accommodation. You can also find exciting things to do in Leicester on the Visit Leicester website.
  • If you’re in Leicester on Christmas Day, book your place to join in a traditional two course British Christmas sit down hot roast dinner at the Chaplaincy. Places are limited so register as soon as possible.
  • The University Shuttle bus operates until Saturday 17 December and will resume on Monday 9 January.
  • If you’re a student living in University managed accommodation, our Residence Life team have put together the steps you need to take ahead of the festive period, including if you are returning home, staying over the holidays, or if you have a term/semester one contract. To help us to support you best, please let us know if you are staying in University accommodation over the holidays.

Joining us in January?

We’re really excited to welcome you to University of Leicester. Get further information on registering for your course.

Graduating in January?

Find resources and information on how to prepare on our Graduation pages.

Opening times

Highlighted below are a list of various areas across the University and their opening times from Friday 16 December until the New Year on Wednesday 4 January 2023.

Food and drink

The opening times and closure dates of all on-campus catering outlets are listed on the LSP website.

Library

The David Wilson Library will be open 24 hours from Friday 23 December 2022 to Tuesday 3 January 2023. It will be closed on Christmas Day (Sunday 25 December 2022), Boxing Day (Monday 26 December 2022) and New Year's Day (Sunday 1 January 2023). The Library will close at 9.00pm on Saturday 24 December 2022 and Saturday 31 December 2022. Normal services will resume on Wednesday 4 January 2023. Check out the library website for full details. 

Student’s Union and Support Services reception

The Support Services Reception will be closed from Friday 23 December 2022 to Tuesday 3 January 2023.

The Students’ Union will be closed from 23 December, returning Thursday 5 January. View out of hours support.

Gym and sport centres

The Danielle Brown and Sir Roger Bettles Sports Centres will be open normal hours until Saturday 24 December, where they will be open 8.00am – 4.00pm. Both will be closed on Sunday 25 and Monday 26 December, and Sunday 1 January. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday 3 January.

Applicants and prospective students

Undergraduates

We are still welcoming Undergraduate applications for September 2023.

Postgraduates

Indian applicants

Our team in India will be working during this period and may be able to respond to your email before the University reopens on Wednesday 4 January 2023. Email India@le.ac.uk or WhatsApp 9840918381.

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