Christmas Closure Period: Support and facilities available

This page provides useful information about QMU services and campus opening and closure times over the festive period. It also offers useful contacts for students who may require access to support during the shut-down period. 

Please note that campus buildings (except for the student residences) will be fully closed over the Christmas period, as this is a time of very low usage, and the closure allows essential maintenance to take place while helping the University manage resources efficiently. 

  • The Academic (Main) Building will be closed from 9pm on Friday 19 December, and will reopen on Monday 5 January at 6am. 
  • The Learning Resource Centre will remain open until 9pm on Friday 19 December. It will reopen at 6am on Monday 5 January. Book loans will be automatically extended to cover the closure period. 
  • Library Services staff will be available on site or remotely up until 4pm on Friday 19 December and from 8.30am on 5 January.  
  • The Accommodation Reception will be open until 8pm on Friday 19 December, reopening on Monday 5 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 Helpdesk will be open until 4.30pm on Friday 19 December. The service will reopen 8am on Monday 5 January. 
  • Emergency assistance will still be available 24 hours a day during the closure period, with Campus Operations (Security) staff on duty on campus 24/7 throughout this time. They can be contacted on 0131 474 0999.
  • 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 towards the end of this message. 
  • Catering and Retail Services
    Catering Service opening and closure details 2025
    Catering Service Closure Reopening
    Guthrie's Food Court Closes after lunch service on Friday 12 December. Will reopen on Monday 12 January with a reduced lunch offer 11.30am - 2pm.  Full service will resume on Monday 19 January.

    The Hux

    		 Closes at 3.30pm on Friday 19 December. Reopens on Monday 5 January from 8am-3pm.Full opening hours (8am - 4pm) will commence from Monday 12 January. 
    Maggie's

    Closes on 5pm on Sunday 21 December.

    Reopens on Monday 5 January from 9am – 6pm. There will then be reduced hours in Maggie’s operating until Sunday 18 January.  

    Normal opening times commence from Monday 19 January.  

    Please note Maggie’s will be closed the weekend of the 10 & 11 January to allow for an essential power shutdown. 
    The Nook

    Closes Sunday 21 December at 3pm.

    Reopens Monday 5 January.
  • International Office Support - The International Office will continue to run face to face and online drop-in sessions up to and including Wednesday 17 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 Wednesday 17 December. This will allow time for responses to be provided before the University closes.  
  • Sport Facilities - The Sport & Fitness facilities will close at 4pm on Sunday 21 December and will reopen at 7am on Monday 5 January.

In the unlikely event that we needed update you on any significant changes to services over the closure period, we would do so via our website and on social media.  We wish you all a safe and happy break when it comes. 

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. https://www.nhs24.scot
  • 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.
  • Edinburgh Crisis Centre 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:  

  • Breathing Space Helpline; Free Phone 0800 838587 Monday - Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm-6am. 
  • Samaritans; Free Phone 116123, Open 24/7.
  • Edinburgh Night Line: confidential support for students 8pm-8am term-time.  Tel: 0131 557 4444. 
  • Togetherall, which provides 24/7 online support for mental health and all QMU students have access using your QMU 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: 

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