Christmas Closure Dates and Support and Facilities Information for Students
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 during the ‘closure’ period from 24 December to 4 January inclusive.
We can confirm that during that time:
The Learning Resource Centre 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 24 December, reopening on 5 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 23 December and from 5 January.
The Accommodation Reception will be open until 8pm on 23 December, reopening on 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 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 23 December. The service will reopen at 8am on 5 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, as set out at the towards the end of this message. Any student needing support during this time is advised to contact one of the relevant services as set out at the bottom of this article.
Catering and Retail Services
- 1875
- Open up to and including 14 December, then closed from 15 December (*slightly earlier than originally advertised)
- Reopens from Monday 9 January till Monday 16 January from 11.30am-2.30pm with a reduced lunch offer (This is due to essential works taking place in the kitchens, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.)
- Starbucks
- Open up to and including 16 December, then closed from 17 December.
- Reopens Monday 9 January
- Maggie's
- Closes Friday 23 December at 12 noon with reduced hours in the run up to this date (full details around reduced hours will be advertised via Maggie’s Social Media platforms)
- Reopens Thursday 5 January
- The Nook
- Closes Friday 23 December at 4pm
- Reopens Thursday 5 January
International Office Support
The International Office will continue to run advertised face to face and online drop in sessions until Thursday 22 December and students can continue to contact the team for support up to and including that date. The International Office will reopen on Thursday 5 January 2023 at 9am.
During the Christmas closure period, the International Office phone line and email inboxes will not be monitored, and its staff will not be able to respond to enquiries. We urge you to reach out to them ahead of the closure period for any support required.
Sport Facilities
Sports facilities will be closed from 24 December to 4 January inclusive.
Academic Learning Support
24/7 access to Studiosity, the University's online academic writing support service, will remain available throughout the entire closure period.
Mental Health and General Health and Wellbeing resources available during closure period:
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 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, rape and you need support and advice please contact:
Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline, for advice on all forms of relationship abuse, call on 0800 027 12342.
Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline, call on 0800 010302.
Fear free support for men and LGBT+ or 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 all in the QMU community a safe and happy break.
QMU Christmas Wall of Thankfulness
