Christmas 2024 on Exeter Campuses
Staying on campus or in Exeter over the winter break and Christmas? If so, check out the pages below to find out what facilities, services and events are available within the University.
Most facilities and services will be available as normal until Tuesday 24 December, and will re-open for normal business on Thursday 2 January. Between these times there may be limited opening hours and we advise you check details on this page. Full information on services will be available here by Friday 13 December.
Events and activities on campus
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Tuesday 12 December |
12.00-16.00 |
Join the Chaplaincy in the Forum to make Christingles. All are welcome to come and everything you need is provided and it is free. |
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Tuesday 12 December |
17.00-18.00 |
Join the Chaplaincy in the Forum for a Christingle gathering lasting about 30-40 minutes. We will learn about the history and meaning of the Christingle, there will be some readings and we will sing carols with the candles lit on our Christingles. |
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Tuesday 12 December |
17.00 |
International Students Christmas Party |
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Tuesday 12 December |
17.30 |
Join us for our St Luke's Christmas cracker student party at Cross Keys! Expect food, drinks, games, music, and surprises throughout the night. |
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Wednesday 13 December |
16.00-20.00 |
The Students' Guild are throwing a Winter Party to celebrate the end of the year, and you're invited! This will be a relaxed event, perfect for winding down with giant board games, crafts, a selection of snacks and refreshments. Click here for tickets |
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Sunday 17 December |
16.00 |
The Chaplaincy invite you to the City Community Church's Christmas Service. Free Christmas refreshments. Everyone welcome. |
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Tuesday 19 December |
14.00-16.00 |
Everyone is welcome to join the HASS Student Experience team for some Christmas crafting (origami and gift boxes), hot drinks and festive snacks. |
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Tuesday 19 December |
14.00-17.00 |
Residence Life will be making chocolate truffles in Spretyonway Kitchen |
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Tuesday 19 December |
18.00 |
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Wednesday 20 December |
14.30-16.00 |
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Thursday 21 December |
14.00-17.00 |
Games afternoon with Pizza and Residence Life. Come along for table tennis, Mario games etc. Spreytonway social area. |
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Friday 22 December |
17.00 |
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Sunday 25 December |
12.30 |
Traditional Christmas dinner on campus. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Click here to purchase tickets (until 12 noon, Monday 18 December or whilst stocks last. See link below) |
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Wednesday 27 December |
13.00-15.00 |
Join Residence Life for a crafternoon of mug and tea light holder decorating. Snacks provided. |
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Wednedsay 27 December |
17.00 |
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Friday 29 December |
14.00-17.00 |
Join the Chaplaincy in the entrance area of the Forum Library for cosy hot chocolate and treats, play some games and watch some Christmas TV. Drop in or stay for the afternoon. |
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Saturday 30 December |
11.30 |
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Tuesday 2 January |
17.00 |
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Wednedsay 3 January |
14.30-16.00 |
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Thursday 4 January |
15.00 |
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Friday 5 January |
15.30-17.30 |
Cupcake baking with Residence Life. Birks kitchen. |
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Wednesday 10 January |
14.30-16.00 |
The Students’ Guild
All events hosted by the Students’ Guild and our societies can be found on the Guild website. We’ve also put together a handy guide to events happening in Devon over the winter break here (Exeter Guild)
Pitch Up And Play with the Social Sports
Our Social Sports team have come up with a fantastic range of free sport sessions for you to enjoy and keep you active over the break. For more information see the sport section below or visit Exeter Guild News.
Traditional Christmas dinner - Sunday 25 December
In Exeter on Christmas Day (December 25)? Why not join our traditional Christmas Day Lunch in Lopes Hall from 12.30pm (for lunch at 1pm)?
Tickets are £15.00 per adult, £10.00 per child and must be booked before 12 noon, Monday 18 December.
Arrival drink, 2 course lunch with all the trimmings, Christmas present and more included. All students and staff welcome with their families. Purchase tickets.
If you have been awarded the University Hardship and Retention Fund, come from a widening participation background or are unable to buy a ticket due to a financial barrier please contact Communities@exeterguild.com who will be able to assist you in purchasing a ticket. They will aim to respond to your email within 1 working day. Please note that tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis and are limited.
Events in Exeter
Christmas services
There are a range of events taking place at Exeter Cathedral throughout this month, up to and including Christmas Day. You can find out further details of services here. For details of Christmas church services in Exeter, please contact chaplaincy@exeter.ac.uk or individual chaplains via the Chaplaincy webpages and their facebook pages.
Dick Whittington at the Nortcott Theatre
Expect plenty of laughs, great music, amazing special effects and full-on fun for every generation with this fabulous rags-to-riches tale.
Sleeping Beauty at the Corn Exchange
For well over a decade Exeter Corn Exchange has been the home of traditional family fun at Christmas time. Join them for this heart-warming panto classic. Will Sleeping Beauty meet her prince?
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Visit the Exeter's Christmas Market from 17 November - 17 December for some delicious christmas spirit. Ride the Elf Express on Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday or just browse the stalls.
It will soon be Christmas and on Christmas day billions of people round the world will celebrate by sharing a Christmas meal with friends and family.
We are hosting our annual Christmas day event for our student community, where you have a chance to join other students at Lopes Hall for a traditional Christmas Lunch.
Lopes Hall will be decked out in lots of sparkly Christmas decorations and the tree lights will be on while our team of Chefs will be cooking a Traditional Christmas Lunch, your hosts serve you mulled wine, so you can enjoy the festive day together.
When lunch is ready, you will be invited in the dining room where you will have enough time to pull your Christmas Cracker, before lunch is served. There will also be a present from Santa waiting for you on the table.
When you have finished your 2-course lunch and enjoyed your coffee and traditional mince pies, you will all be invited to the social area to watch the Royal Christmas message. This is a British tradition which began in 1932. Where a broadcast is made by the Sovereign to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Nations and is the nation's top live program and is watched by 1 in 3 Britons. This year marks the first speech that will be made by King Charles III
Tickets are limited and are available to purchase now using the below link:
https://store.exeter.ac.uk/product-catalogue/residence-life
Adult ticket £15, Child (8 years old or under) £10
We have a limited number of tickets available free to students who would like to attend but are in financial hardship. If you would like to be considered for a ticket please email communities@exeterguild.com before 16 December. These tickets will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Tickets sales will close at 12 midday on Monday 19th December. Subject to availability.
Monday 9 – Friday 13 December
Term time opening hours see here for details:
SID: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/sid/
Hubs: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/students/infopoints/openinghours/
Monday 16 – Friday 20 December
SID - Phone Lines, SID enquiries open 9.00am - 5.00pm
(SID @Info at St Luke's closed Wednesday - Friday)
Hubs - Info Point Desks/Phones/Hubs open Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm
Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 December
SID - Phone Lines, SID enquiries and Desks (Forum and Info@StLuke's) open 9.00am - 5.00pm
Wednesday 25 December - Wednesday 1 January
SID closed
Thursday 2 – Friday 3 January
Phone Lines, SID enquiries and Info Point Desks open 9.00am - 5.00pm
Forum study spaces
- Open 24/7 throughout Winter Break
Forum Library
- 24/7 from 23rd December – 2nd January (including study spaces)
- Library online chat available 24/7 throughout
- Library staff available at Forum Library, 28th December 10.00-16.00. Normal service will be resumed on January 2rd.
- Borrow and return items using the self-service machines
- Board games, festive reading, and films to borrow are available throughout
Student Services Centre study spaces
- 24/7 from 23rd December – 2nd January (including PC provision)
St Lukes campus
- Haighton Library closed 22nd December, reopening 2nd January
Study Zone
Monday 18 until Friday 22 December
Study Zone open 9.30- 5.00pm
Online Drop-ins Tuesday 19th 4.00-5.30pm and Thursday 21st 2.00-3.30pm.
Details: Study skills drop-ins (sharepoint.com)
Saturday 23 December - Monday 1 January
StudyZone services closed.
Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 January
Study Zone open 9.30- 5.00pm
Online Drop-ins Tuesday 2nd 4.00-5.30pm and Thursday 4th 2.00-3.30pm.
Details: Study skills drop-ins (sharepoint.com)
Monday 8th January onwards
Normal service
The International Student Advice team can be contacted in the usual ways until 3pm Tuesday 24 December after which we will close for the Christmas break. The team will be back at 9am on Thursday 2 January 2025.
If your question can’t wait, why not browse through our most popular links to help answer your questions:
Wellbeing Services will be operating a reduced service over the winter break.
Up until Friday 23 December, please call 01392 724381 if you need any support. Our wellbeing and welfare teams are ready to assist you.
From 4.30pm Friday 22 December, reopening on 9am Tuesday 2 January please contact Estate Patrol on 01392 723999. Estate Patrol is a mobile, response-based service covering all aspects of security, safety and welfare for staff and students.
There is also a lot of information, advice and guidance on the University’s Wellbeing and Support webpages. This includes apps, webinars and workbooks which you may find helpful.
You an access a wide range of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy based support online through Living Life to the Full, including courses on low mood, anxiety and stress. You can access Living Life to the Full through our A-Z of support services.
All students have access to Togetherall which is an online support community, offering peer and professional support and is available 24/7, 365 days of the year.
Postgraduate research students can also access Spectrum Life for counselling and support .
If you are experiencing difficulties with your mental health and want to speak with someone you can call First Response on 08081968708 First Response Service | DPT
You can also contact The Samaritans on 116123. Or 999 in an emergency.
The Student Health centre will be offering NHS GP services to students from 8.30am – 6pm Monday to Friday except for Bank Holidays of Monday 25, Tuesday 26 December 2023 and Monday 1 January 2024.
Please where possible continue to use Online Consultations and call 01392 6766676 if you have an urgent request. We can provide virtual appointments via the telephone or video and will arrange face to face assessments if clinically required. St Thomas Medical Group | NHS GP Surgery
If you would like to request repeat medication please email d-icb.stthomasp@nhs.net detailing the medication you require. If you have not had the medication prescribed by the Student Health Centre team before, please send us an online consultation form.
Outside of these hours please phone NHS 111 for non-urgent medical advice. For medical emergencies please call 999.
CHAPLAINCY
Regular pastoral support will be in place until Friday 15 December. Please contact chaplaincy@exeter.ac.uk or contact Ramona Nash on 07557 064976 (until 15 December).
**Please be aware this is not an emergency service and for specific mental health support, please see the Wellbeing Services section**
Muslim Prayer – The Old Library prayer rooms (Streatham) and the prayer rooms at Staff House (St. Luke’s) will remain open during the University's closure period (25 December 2023 - 2 January 2024 inclusive) for students to access the prayer space. This will be available via swipe card access.
The mosque will be open as usual for daily prayers throughout the Christmas period. Yousef Hindess will be attending evening prayer should you wish to meet with him or you can leave him a message at the office during the day.
Looking for careers support this Vacation? Between Monday 16 December and Friday 3 January we’ll be open online only 10am to 3pm, excluding weekends. We’ll be there to help you via Live Chat from any page on our website, or email careers@exeter.ac.uk or phone us on +44 1392 72 4493.
We’ll be fully closed from 3pm Tuesday 24 December to 10am Thursday 2 January for the University Closure period, but you’ve still got full access to Handshake, My Career Zone Digital and all the info and advice on our website www.exeter.ac.uk/careers
Residence Reception opening hours will differ between Monday 18 December and Tuesday 2 January. To find out your reception’s opening hours, please visit the Residence website. If your reception isn’t open during this period and you need help with lost keys or any other emergencies, please contact Estate Patrol.
The Digital Hub will be shut for face-to-face support between the following dates:
- Friday, 15 December at 16:00 – opening 09:00, Tuesday 2 January 2024
You can book online 1:1 appointments during the break via the Digital Hub Sharepoint. We have many guides and videos available on the Digital Hub online and also you can find the solution to IT problems via the IT Knowledge Base.
- Monday 18 December: 14:00-15:00 (Sports Hall): Basketball
- Tuesday 19 December: 14:00-15:00 (Studio 3 Sports Park): Table Tennis
- Wednesday 20 December: 14:00-15:00 (Sports Hall): Badminton
- Thursday 21 December: 14:00-15:00 (MUGA, Sports Park): Football
- Friday 22 December: 14:00-15:00 (Tennis Courts, Sports Park): Tennis
- Wednesday 27 December: 14:00-15:00 (Sports Hall): Badminton
- Thursday 28 December: 14:00-15:00 (MUGA, Sports Park): Football
- Friday 29 December: 14:00-15:00 (Tennis Courts, Sports Park): Tennis
- Tuedsay 2 January: 14:00-15:00 (Studio 3 Sports Park): Table Tennis
Sports Park (Streatham Campus)
- Saturday 16, Sunday 17: 08:45-18.00
- Monday 18 - Friday 22: 06:30-22:00
- Saturday 23: 08:45-18:00
- Sunday 24: 08:45-14:00
- Monday 25 and Tuesday 26: CLOSED
- Wednesday 27 - Saturday 30: 08:45-18:00
- Sunday 31: 08:45-14:00
- Monday 1 January: CLOSED
- Tuesday 2: 06.30-22.00 (Back To Normal Hours)
Sport - St Lukes Campus
- Saturday 16, Sunday 17: 08:30-15.00
- Monday 18 - Friday 22: 06:30-20:00
- Saturday 23: 08:30-14:00
- Sunday 24: 08:30-14:00
- Monday 25 and Tuesday 26: CLOSED
- Wednesday 27 - Friday 29: 06:30-15:00
- Saturday 30, Sunday 31: 08:30-14:00
- Monday 1 January: CLOSED
- Tuesday 2: 06.30-20.00 (Back To Normal Hours)
Fitness Class timetables
- We have many great Fitness classes happening even though the Christmas break at Streatham and St Lukes.
Guild Reception will be closed from Monday 18 December to Monday 8 January inclusive.
Students' Guild will be closed from Wednesday 20 December and will reopen on Tuesday 2 January.
See the Guild website for more information.
Guild Give It A Go events will be running over the break.
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Wednesday 13 December |
4-8pm |
The Students' Guild are throwing a Winter Party to celebrate the end of the year, and you're invited! This will be a relaxed event, perfect for winding down with giant board games, crafts, a selection of snacks and refreshments. Click here for tickets. |
The Estate Patrol Control Room is staffed 24/7 this includes the Christmas closure period.
Estate Patrol Officers will be available to provide advice, direction and attend incidents as required. The Non-emergency telephone line is 01392 723999, in cases of emergency individuals should contact the emergency services on 999 and then contact the Estate Patrol through their emergency line 01392 722222.
In the event of an emergency involving student welfare, Estate Patrol (01392 723999) will be able to contact Student Services Senior Management Team staff to co-ordinate a response.
During the Christmas closure period Saturday 23 December to Monday 1 January inclusive, the heating systems in all academic and academic related buildings listed below will be run in an energy saving mode that will maintain a minimum building temperature of around 12’C.
The temperature within buildings will be returned to normal levels within sufficient time to ensure the buildings are up to temperature for our return on Tuesday 2 January.
Buildings run in energy saving mode:
- Amory Building (all except research lab areas)
- Arabic & Islamic
- Business School Blg One
- Business School Streatham Court
- Business School Xfi
- Business School Creative Quadrant
- Byrne House
- Clayden House
- Clydesdale House
- Cornwall House
- CREWW Building
- Duryard House
- Laver Building - excluding the IT Data Centre which operates as normal
- Devonshire House
- Estates Services Clydesdale Rise
- Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies
- Forum Offices
- Harrison Building (all except research areas)
- Hatherly Building (all except research areas)
- Hope Hall offices
- Innovation Centre 1
- Innovation 2 Radiators
- Kay Labs
- Kay House
- Knightley
- Lafrowda House
- Lazenby
- Newman and Peter Chalk Centre
- Northcote House
- Old Library (except data centre)
- University of Exeter Medical School admin areas
- Physics (all except research areas)
- Queen’s Building
- Reed Hall
- Reed Mews Careers and Health Centre
- Roborough House
- Thornlea/Alexander Building/Whitehouse
- Science Park V Simulator (except research equipment areas)
- St. Luke’s Baring Court
- St. Luke’s College House
- St.Luke’s North Cloisters
- St. Luke’s Richards
- St. Luke’s Smeale
- St.Luke’s Staff House
- St. Luke’s South Cloisters (except research areas)
- St.Lukes X Keys
- Streatham Farm
- SWIOT Building
- Washington Singer & Sir Henry Welcome (all except labs and aquaria)
- Wellbeing Building
Temperatures in residential buildings will be maintained at normal levels unless it is specifically requested to run them in energy saving mode.
The heating in the following buildings will not be altered:
- Amory Labs,
- Biocatalysis
- Forum Street
- Geoffrey Pope, Labs & Research areas
- Hatherly Labs & Research
- Innovation Centre 2 Air Systems
- LSI Labs & research,
- UE Medical School Labs,
- Northcote Theatre,
- Physics Helium Store
- St. Luke’s Chapel