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Festive Opening Times
As we head into the Christmas break, here is a full breakdown of opening hours, service access and key dates across campus. Please check these adjusted hours and plan ahead to make sure you have access to the spaces, equipment and support you need.
From Monday 15 to Tuesday 23 December 2025, our main campus sites at Tavistock Place, Studio 44 and Studio 11 will be open:
Monday to Friday: 7:45am–6pm
Weekends: Closed
Undergraduate students finish for the Christmas break on Friday 12 December 2025.
The University will fully close at 4pm on Wednesday 24 December and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026 at 7:45am, when normal term-time hours resume:
Monday to Thursday: 7:45am–8pm
Friday: 7:45am–6pm
Saturday: 8:30am–2pm
Our Palace Court & Palace Studios Pre-Degree campus, will:
remain open as normal until Friday 19 December 2025
close for the Christmas break from the end of that day
reopen on Monday 5 January 2026, in line with main campus hours
Please ensure any work or studio activities at Palace Court or Palace Studios are completed before the closure period.
The Students’ Union will be out of office from Friday 12 December 2025 until Monday 5 January 2026. During this time:
the SU team will not be checking emails
normal SU support and services will not be available
Services resume from Monday 5 January 2026.
While the SU office is closed, a limited number of Student Union Food Bank parcels will be available from Tavistock Place Reception.
The Library will be open on reduced hours in the run-up to Christmas:
Friday 12 December – 8:30am to 4pm (early closure for staff celebration)
Saturday 13 December – Closed
Monday 15 to Thursday 18 December – 8:30am to 5pm
Friday 19 December – 8:30am to 4:30pm
Saturday 20 December – Closed
- Monday 22 to Tuesday 23 December – 8:30am to 5pm
- Wednesday 24 December – 8:30am to 4pm
The Library will be closed from 25 December to 4 January and will reopen on Monday 5 January with normal term-time hours:
Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 7pm
Friday: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Online resources, reading lists and study support materials remain accessible throughout via the Library & Academic Skills site.
Tavistock Place (ERC)
Closes from 4pm on Friday 12 December 2025
Reopens on Monday 5 January 2026
Palace Court (ERC2)
Closes from 4pm on Friday 19 December 2025
Reopens on Monday 5 January 2026
Please ensure all loans are collected and returned before these dates, wherever possible. Returning equipment on time helps the team carry out essential maintenance over the break.
Technical studios, including the Digital Print Bureau (DPB) and specialist workshops, will:
operate as normal up to Friday 12 December 2025
close from 4pm on Friday 12 December 2025
reopen on Monday 5 January 2026
Some staff will be on annual leave over the Christmas period, so technical support will not be available while studios are closed. Please plan any printing, fabrication or workshop activity well in advance of 12 December.
The Student Support Office will operate with adjusted hours in the run-up to Christmas:
Week commencing Monday 14 December – 9am to 5pm
Monday 22 & Tuesday 23 December – 9am to 4:30pm
Christmas Eve – online support only, 9am to 2pm
Student Support will then close for the festive period and resume normal service from Monday 5 January, 9am to 5pm.
If you need mental health or crisis support when the University is closed, you can access help through the NHS:
Call 111 and press 2 to reach mental health support in your local area.
If you are in immediate danger or need urgent emergency assistance, please call 999.
If you are planning work in studios or technical spaces before or after the Christmas break:
use SmartHub to check availability and request bookings
keep ERC and studio closure dates in mind when planning projects
contact erc@aup.ac.uk if you have questions about equipment loans
For questions about results or academic records, please contact registry@aup.ac.uk, and for wellbeing support during term time, please reach out to Student Support.
