Please see below for full details of opening hours and services available over the Christmas break.
While many of you travel away from Birmingham during the vacation period, we know that some of you may choose to stay on or near campus over the Christmas period.
Most University services are closed during the Christmas period, while any services that remain open, including the Main Library, may operate reduced hours during this period. A list of the services available at the University are outlined below including study spaces, support and catering. At the bottom of the page, there are also links to local services including shops, banks, public transport and healthcare providers.
Please note that you will still be able to log in to the MyUoB app and use the intranet to access all of your normal online services throughout the Christmas break.
We're here for you
The Mental Health and Wellbeing service will close on the University's closed days. Their registration will close at 00:00 (midnight) on Wednesday 17 December and will reopen at 09:00 on Friday 2 January.
However, UBHeard is operational every single day, 24/7 so will be open during the Christmas period.
Whatever you’re going through, we can offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like by logging in to the UBHeard Portal, through Live Chat, or calling 0800 368 5819 (Freephone UK*) or 00353 1 518 0277 (International). You can also text ‘Hi’ to 074 1836 0780 for SMS and WhatsApp support (standard rates apply). Check out our Time to Talk? intranet page for a full list of support services available at UoB.
If you need further support then visit this list of NHS services near you and available Pause in Birmingham drop-in sessions from Forward Thinking Birmingham. Pause will be open for drop ins (11:00 - 17:00) on Monday 15 December until Thursday 18 December and it will be closed from 19 December until 5 January inclusive.
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis and believe you cannot keep yourself safe, you can attend your local A&E for immediate crisis support or call 999. The nearest A&E to the University is at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
The Main Library stops being 24/7 at 22:00 on Sunday 14 December.
The library is then open:
| Monday 15 December -Tuesday 23 December |
08:00 - 22:00 |
| Wednesday 24 December- Sunday 28 December |
Closed |
| Monday 29 December - Wednesday 31 December |
10:00 - 16:00 |
| Thursday 1 January 2026 |
Closed |
| Friday 2 January |
The Main Library will resume 24/7 opening from 08:00 |
Orchard Learning Resource Centre: Closed Friday 12 December- Thursday 1 January inclusive.
Barnes Library: Closed Tuesday 23 December- Thursday 1 January inclusive.
Check out the library's full opening hours.
Westmere Postgraduate Research Hub
The majority of the time, postgraduate researchers and staff members have swipe card access to the Westmere building from 06:00 to 22:00. However, the building will be closed from Tuesday 23 December and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026.
Access to University software from home
You can remotely log in to computers across campus, using our Remote Computer Access service. You can securely access all the same specialist software that you would use on campus, on your own device - any time, anywhere. Read the news page for how to do this.
University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness
Details of the Christmas opening hours for UB Sport & Fitness can be found on their opening hours webpage.
| Friday 12 December |
09:00-17:00
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| Monday 15 December to Tuesday 16 December |
09:00-17:00
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| Wednesday 17 December |
10:00-17:00
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| Thursday 18 December to Friday 19 December |
09:00-17:00
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| Monday 22 December |
09:00-16:00
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During the University closed period, students will still be able to access our extensive studenthelp knowledgebase and submit an online enquiry. These will be responded to swiftly upon our return on Friday 2 January 2026.
Queries may take longer than during term-time, but every effort will be made to respond as quickly as possible.
Information for students living in University accommodation are available direct from the University's accommodation website. You can also check out the full schedule of Christmas events in accommodation.
Accommodation village receptions (The Vale, Selly Oak and Pritchatts Park) are open 24/7 over Christmas as usual. If staff are not in reception students are advised to call their reception telephone number and there will always be someone to assist you.
The Vale Village: 0121 415 8520
Pritchatts Park Village: 0121 414 9022
Selly Oak Village: 0121 415 1011
Opening times for catering outlets across campus and accommodation can be found below.
Main campus catering outlets (Monday to Friday, unless stated otherwise)
| Catering Outlet |
Opening times over the Christmas break |
Re-opening date |
| Medical School |
08:00-14:30
Closes on 22 December |
2 January |
| Research Park |
08:00-15:00
Closes on 22 December
|
2 January |
| Atrium |
Closes on 12 December |
12 January |
| Metro |
Closes on 19 December |
5 January |
| Cantina |
Closes on 19 December
|
5 January |
| Campus Infusion |
Closes on 22 December
|
5 January |
| Alan Walters Postgrad Cafe |
Closes on 19 December
|
5 January |
| Fellows Library Cafe |
08:00-15:00
Closes on 22 December |
2 January |
| Cafe 52, Gisbert Kapp |
Closes on 19 December
|
5 January |
| Winterbourne Tea Room |
Closes on 21 December |
12 January |
| Fellows Coffee Shop, Bramall |
08:00-15:00
Closes on 22 December
|
2 January |
| Costa, University Centre |
07:30-15:00
Closes on 22 December |
2 January |
| Costa, Sport and Fitness |
08:00-14:00
Closes on 24 December |
31 December |
| Muirhead Cafe |
Closes on 19 December |
5 January |
| The Vale |
- The Shack - Closes on 12 December and reopens on 10 January.
- Costcutter - Opened 12:00-16:00 from 27 December until 31 December.
- The Lounge - Closes on 24 December at 14:00. Reopnes on 27 December until 31 December at 14:00.
|
|
| The Exchange |
Closes on 22 December. |
2 January |
|
The Bratby Bar, Staff House
|
Closes on 22 December
|
2 January
|
| Cafe 1902, Business School |
Closes on 19 December
|
5 January
|
| Campus Express, Murray Learning Centre |
Closes on 19 December
|
5 January |
| Kimiko |
Closes from 22 December to 4 January.
Opens 11:00 - 18:30 on 5 January .
|
6 January |
| Cuore |
Closes on 19 December
|
5 January |
| Old Joe-lato |
Closes on 12 December
|
12 January |
The Community Safety Hub will be closed from Monday 22 Dec 2025 and will reopen on Friday 2 January 2026.
Please see below for links to opening hours, healthcare providers, banks, public transport and shops for the Christmas period.
Healthcare
If you are worried about an urgent medical concern, call NHS 111 to speak to a trained NHS advisor, who will be able to direct you to the most appropriate care. Simply dial 111 from your phone. The 111 service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also access the service online.
The Accident & Emergency department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital (next to the Medical School) is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Supermarket opening times
Please follow the links for opening times and more information about the store.
Transport
City centre shopping centres
External wellbeing services
The student space website is a great resource which includes articles such as:
- Should I go home?
- Preparing to go home
- Staying at University
- Worried about not being able to go home
Student Minds also offer a free mental health support service 24/7.
Tell me more information about emergency contacts.