UCL’s winter break takes place from 5:30pm on Friday 20 December 2024 until 8:00 on Thursday 2 January 2025. Please read our guidance on closing workspaces and notifying Security about any out of hours access requirements.
As we head towards the end of the calendar year and many of us take a break away from UCL, please ensure that you and your teams are prepared to close and switch off safely by Friday 20 December.
On this page:
The Christmas Switch-Off Competition: Resources for closing down your workspace and the difference it makes
Guidance on closing laboratories and making constantly running equipment safe
The following procedures apply to the UCL’s main sites, defined as all buildings except those of the postgraduate medical institutes and sites away from Central London.
Before leaving for your break, Laboratory Superintendents and others where appropriate, unless otherwise instructed by the Head of Department should ensure that:
- all lights, heaters and computers are switched off in their department.
- all gas and water taps are turned off and that hoses connecting apparatus to water taps are securely wired both to the water supply and to the apparatus.
the Security Office has received by 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 18 December a copy of a list of places, such as laboratories with constant operating equipment, where there is a possible danger from flooding or fire via securitysystems@ucl.ac.uk
the Security Office has received by 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 18 December written details via securitysystems@ucl.ac.uk of persons who can be contacted in cases of emergency (other than those already on the Control room database).
Laboratory Managers can use this form until Thursday, 12 December to let UCL Estates know what level of heating and venting their laboratories need over the break:
Closing your lab for the break? Let UCL know
Out of hours work: stay in touch, stay safe
We’d like to remind everyone about the need to take care when working during periods of closure. Any procedures which have been assessed as having a significant level of risk should not be carried out by persons working alone. We also ask you to consider the environmental impacts of running campus buildings for a very small number of occupants.
If any members of staff are unsure of their personal access to a building out of hours, they can clarify this by contacting UCL’s Security Systems. You can also download SafeZone , UCL’s mobile app that allows all students and staff to alert, contact, and directly speak to the Security team in the event of an emergency.
UCL Security would like to stress the importance for individuals to maintain internal security within their departments. Any incident which appears suspicious should be reported to the Security Control Room on the UCL Emergency Number (020 7679 2222, or extension 222 from an internal landline) or via SafeZone. Reporting via SafeZone works across all’UCL locations. If you want to contact the security desk for Marshgate and One Pool Street buildings in the Olympic park, dial +44 (0)208 0168 555 or 68555 from a UCL telephone.
The Christmas Switch-Off Competition: Resources for closing down your workspace and the difference it makes
Pledge to switch off by 20 December and help reduce UCL’s energy use! Last year, we saved 100 tonnes of carbon - all with a flick of the switch. Pledge now for a chance to win our Christmas Giveaway Bundle, and the hall or department with the most pledges also wins £50 - find out more about the Christmas Switch-Off on the Sustainability website
Library Christmas opening hours
All UCL Library sites except the Student Centre will close by 5pm on Friday 20 December except for the Student Centre, and re-open on Thursday 2 January 2025. You can visit the Student Centre which will be open throughout the Christmas period 24 hours a day for UCL students and staff. The last day to request an item from our Scan and Send and Click and Collect services before the break will be Monday 18 December. Online resources remain available throughout the closure.
Please check the Library opening hours webpage for more information and opening hours on all’our library sites.
Support for staff over the winter break
Confidential, 24/7 mental health support, as well as information on legal, financial, housing and family related issues, is available to all’UCL staff via our Employee Assistance Programme: Staff Support Service. Support is available for both personal and work-related matters.
Latest guaranteed post room dates before Christmas 2024
Dates for the latest guaranteed international and UK delivery dates before Christmas are available. You can send and receive mail as part of your work or research at UCL via the Post Room. Please note this is a business function and personal items will not be sent.
The last collection of departmental post will take place between 11.30 and 13.00 on Friday 20 December to ensure dispatch on the last working day.
The UCL Post Room will close at 2pm on Friday 20 December and re-open at 7am on Thursday 4 January 2025.
Cafes and refectories
Cafes and shops around UCL will close and reopen at different points across December and the New Year. Check opening times on their websites:
Please note:
All general access to the Bloomsbury campus during the closure period will be via the main Gower Street entrance on production of a UCL ID card.
Thank you in advance for your help and co-operation in implementing these arrangements and we wish you all’a happy and peaceful winter break.
- University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT (0) 20 7679 2000
