On this page:
- University opening times
- Student support services
- Learning Resource Centres (LRCs)
- Food and drink on campus
- The Forum bar and nightclub
- Students' Union
- Chaplaincy
- Ask Herts
- Security and emergency contacts
- Adverse weather conditions
- Uno buses
- University events
University opening times
University offices will be closed from 12.00 on Friday 22 December 2023 until 08.30 on Tuesday 2 January 2024. However, there will still be plenty of support available during this time.
Student support services
If you are living on campus and need to chat with anyone during the festive break, just give 01707 281010 a call and ask to speak to a Residential Assistant (RA). Our out-of-hours RA team will be available 24/7 over the Christmas festive period, so there is always someone you can call.
Please note our wellbeing service is closed from 12.00 on Friday 22 December 2023 until 08.30 Tuesday 2 January 2024.
You can however contact our student assistance service (Health Assured) that is available 24/7, every day of the year at 0800 028 3766. You can speak to a counsellor on the phone for someone to speak to, you can self-refer to their counselling service, receive non-urgent medical advice and even financial advice.
To access our support, you can refer yourself by completing the form and we will be in touch in the new year.
If you would like to access some additional support over the closure, please see below for a range of services.
Please note: If your mental or physical health symptoms get worse, please visit your GP/Doctor as they are your primary care contact. Alternatively, you can call 111 or 999 to access immediate/urgent support.
| Health assured |
Free 24/7 helpline phoneline After downloading the app you can use the UH Unique Code: MHA191133 The App includes:
|
| Student Space |
Call 0808 8084994 to get free confidential support from a trained volunteer, 7 days a week 15.00 - 24.00. Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24-hour support Webchat 16.00 - 23.00 Email for a response within 24 hours |
| Calm |
Call 0800 585858 17.00 - 24.00. Webchat 17.00 -24.00. |
| Papyrus HOPELINE UK |
Call 0800 068 4141 for confidential suicide prevention advice contact Papyrus |
| Samaritans |
Call 116123 for 24-hour support Email for a response within 24 hours |
| NHS Mental Health Helpline |
Call 01438 843322 which is open 17.00 - 21.00 weekdays and available 24 hours on weekends and bank holidays. |
| Mind |
Explore resources on where to get help in crisis. Join Side by Side, Mind's online community. |
| Heads Together | Read on where you can get support. |
| Student Against Depressions | Read on where and how you can get support. |
Learning Resource Centres (LRCs)
Both of our LRCs will remain open 24/7 over the winter break.
We advise that you check the University website for the latest LRC opening hours before you travel in case of short notice changes.
Find out more about what's available in the LRCs during the festive period.
Food and drink on campus
College Lane outlets
| Outlet | Closing date | Times / days | Re-opening date | Times / days |
| Food Court | 15 December 2023 | 11:30-15:00 Friday | 8 January 2024 | 11:30-15:00 Monday to Friday |
| Starbucks | 22 December 2023 |
08:00-16:00 Monday - Friday (from 18 December) 22 December close at 12:00 |
2 January 2024 | 08-00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday |
| Subway | 15 December 2023 | 11.00-16.00 Friday | 8 January 2024 | 11:00-20:00 Monday to Friday |
| Café Rore | 22 December 2023 |
08:00-16:00 Monday - Friday (from 18 December) 22 December close at 12:00 |
2 January 2024 | 08:00-16:00 Monday to Friday |
| Gallery Cafe | 15 December 2023 | 09.00-15.00 Friday | 8 January 2024 | 09:00-15:00 Monday to Friday |
| CL LRC Cafe | 15 December 2023 | 10.00-16.00 Friday | 8 January 2024 | 10:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday |
| EleHouse | 15 December 2023 | 12.00-18.00 Friday | 8 January 2024 | 12:00 – 18:00 Monday to Friday |
| Shop | 22 December 2023 |
08:00-16:00 Monday - Friday (from 18 December) 22 December close at 12:00 |
2 January 2024 | 09:00 – to 18:00 Monday to Friday |
The outlet shops at College Lane will be closed from Friday 15 December until Monday 8 January 2024 when normal opening times will resume.
The table above shows details of other outlets shops at College Lane along with the opening and closing dates.
de Havilland outlets
| Outlet | Closing date | Times / days | Re-opening date | Times / days |
| Food Court | 15 December 2023 | 11:30 – 15:00 Friday | 8 January 2024 | 11:30 – 15:00 Monday - Friday |
|
Café Ambition / Enterprise Hub |
22 December 2023 |
08:00-16:00 Monday - Friday (from 18 December) 22 December close at 12:00 |
2 January 2024 | 08:00 – 16:00 Monday - Friday until 5 January |
| Café Sport | 25-28 December / 1 January |
As normal except: 22 December 08:00-12:00 24 December 09:00-16:00 29-30 December - normal 31 December - 09:00-16:00 |
2 January 2024 |
08:00 – 18:00 Monday – Friday
09:00 – 17:00 Saturday and Sunday |
| Shop | 22 December 2023 |
08:00-16:00 Monday - Friday (from 18 December) 22 December close at 12:00 |
8 January 2024 |
09:00 – to 18:00 Monday to Friday |
The de Havilland Food Court will be closed from Friday 15 December until Monday 8 January 2024.
The table above shows details of other outlets shops at De Haviland along with the opening and closing dates.
Christmas Lunch
Staying in halls this Christmas? Join the ResLife team from12:00 at the Oval on the College lane campus for a FREE Christmas lunch with games and prizes! Bring your flatmates and have some festive fun. For students in university accommodation only, make sure you sign up to secure your place.
The Forum bar and nightclub
The Forum will close for student events from Saturday 16 December 2023 and re-open on Wednesday 17 January 2024
Herts SU
The Students' Union will close for the Christmas break from 17:00 on Thursday 21 December 2023 and re-open at 09:00 on Tuesday 2 January 2024.
Please see our service opening hours below.
Welcome Desks
Our Welcome Desks on both College Lane and de Havilland will close from 16:00 on Friday 15 December 2023 and re-open at 10:00 on Monday 8 January 2024.
Advice & Support
In-person appointments are available at the Advice & Support Centre up until 16:00 on Friday 15 December 2023.
Email, telephone and Microsoft Teams appointments will be available up until 16:00 on Thursday 21 December 2023.
Advice & Support will then close for the Christmas period and re-open at 10:00 on Tuesday 2 January 2024 to resume normal services.
Chaplaincy
University Carol Service
Come and hear the Christmas message led by the University Chaplain, and enjoy singing some popular carols supported by members of the Go Herts Choir.
It will be held in the Hutton Hub, College Lane, on Thursday 14 December from 12.30, and stay for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie to celebrate the season afterwards.
Ask Herts
Please see below the opening times for the Ask Herts Hubs in the lead-up to Christmas. Outside of this period, the Hubs follow the same opening times as the University offices. Click for more information about the Ask Herts Hubs.
| In person-services | Closing Date | Times/days | Re-opening date |
Times/days |
| Ask Herts Hutton | Monday 22 December 2023 | 12:00 | Tuesday 2 January 2024 | 09:00 |
| Ask Herts de Haviland | Monday 22 December 2023 | 12:00 | Tuesday 2 January 2024 | 09:00 |
| Ask Herts Innovation | Monday 22 December 2023 | 12:00 | Tuesday 2 January 2024 | 09:00 |
Security and Emergencies
If you need any assistance during the Christmas break, please contact our out of hours security team by calling 01707 281010 (internal extension 1010).
In cases of emergency, please call the Emergency line 01707 285555 (internal extension 5555).
Adverse weather conditions
If there are any suspected forecasted adverse weather conditions over the holidays and you need more information on travelling in and out of campus, please visit the adverse weather management page.
Uno buses
For changes to Uno bus services, please visit the Uno bus website.
What’s on
There are some events taking place over the holidays. Take a look at what’s happening.