Advice Service
Our Advice Service reception will be closed from 16:00 on Friday 13 December 2024 to 10:00 on Monday 6 January 2025 for the Winter Break.
We will still be monitoring emails from 16 to 20 December, but please note that we cannot guarantee a response during this time.
Our hardship fund contact form will close on Friday 13 December for the winter break. Please note that any applications submitted close to this deadline are unlikely to be reviewed before we reopen in January. Applications will reopen on Monday 6th January.
We've put together a list of frequently asked questions, and services (with their contact details) that are available over the closure period; all are generally free to use. We hope these are helpful if you need any support or advice during this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Will UCL be open?
The Student Centre will remain open 24/7 throughout the break.
All other library sites will close by 17:00 on Friday 20 December, reopening on Thursday 2 January 2025, in line with the rest of UCL. Please check the Library Opening Hours for the most up to date information.
Staff in the Student Support and Wellbeing Services team will continue to respond to enquiries submitted through askUCL during the Winter break. Please note, however, that this will be at reduced capacity, so it may take slightly longer than usual to receive a reply.
Visit the Student Support and Wellbeing Services webpage for more information.
- Where can I eat and drink on campus?
From Monday 16 December there will be reduced operating hours in our cafes and bars .
- How can I stay safe on campus?
SafeZone is a widely used safety app that allows all our students and staff to contact UCL Security and to request emergency support at the touch of a button at any time of day. Download the app and register with your UCL email address:
From a Google device & From an Apple Device
You'll also find Security Officers on campus 24 hours a day throughout the closure period. Please speak to them for any security-related issues, including lost property, accidents and emergencies.
- Top tips for staying safe on campus
Thinking proactively and understanding what to look out for can help keep you and your belongings safe.
Be wary of having your phone out on the street - phone snatching is sadly a common crime, especially around UCL, train stations and other busy spots. Take extra care if you're standing on a packed tube or walking in a crowd. Find out more tips on how to prevent this in UCL's article on phone snatching
Avoid walking alone at night - stick with your mates if you can. Stay in well-lit areas and try to take main roads as much as possible.
Yes, it's tempting to leave your laptop in the library while you quickly pop to Starbucks, but never leave your personal items unattended in public places - even in UCL spaces.
For more tips on staying safe on campus, see UCL's tips here.
- Will public transport continue over Christmas and New Year?
Most TfL services will operate over Christmas and New Year, however no services will be running on Christmas Day.
You can find more travel advice for Christmas and New Year on the TfL website.
Emergency Support
If you or others are in immediate danger, or you witness a crime, call 999 to request police, fire or ambulance help.
If you are on campus, call +44 (0)20 7679 2222 or extension 222 from a UCL landline. UCL Security will contact the emergency services on your behalf.
If you're in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others:
- Go directly to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital to get help
- UCLH is the nearest A&E department to UCL’s main campus
- Call 999 to request an ambulance if you are unable to reach the hospital yourself
If you're feeling distressed and need urgent support:
- Contact your GP surgery to request an emergency appointment
- If your GP surgery isn't open, call the free NHS out-of-hours medical line on 111 for help accessing the right services
- You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone at any time, day or night
- Nightline are a listening service for students, by students - they're available overnight on 020 7631 0101
Health, Wellbeing and Accommodation
We know that not everyone will have plans for the Winter break, and many of you will be staying in London until the start of Term 2. If you would like to keep up-to-date with what activities the Students' Union will be offering over the Winter break, make sure to check out the What's on calendar. You can also contact the following services if you need any support over the break.
- Where can I get non-emergency medical help?
Call 111 or use the 111 Online service. This number can be used if you experience a medical problem that you do not feel is an emergency, or if you are unsure where to access the correct health care support.
- I'm feeling low, who can I talk to?
UCL's 24/7 Student Support Line offers free, confidential wellbeing support 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can talk to an adviser by phone on: +44 (0) 808 238 0077. Support line advisers can help you with issues including but not limited to feelings of anxiety and stress, money worries, bereavement, addiction and bullying, harassment and/or sexual harassment.
London Nightline offers listening, support and information to higher education students by way of a confidential helpline. You can also access their live chat service through their website. Phone: 0207 631 0101 & Email: [email protected]
Samaritans offers a 24 hour confidential emotional support service, by phone 116 123 and email [email protected]
- I'm worried about a friend. How can I help them?
Good Thinking has put together this quick guide to looking out for your friends. It provides guidance so you can spot the signs of anxiety, stress and other mental health conditions, check in with your friend and help them to get the support they need.
Check out their Student Mental Health Hub for more guides, apps, podcasts and links to useful resources to help you stay mentally healthy
- I have no accommodation and nowhere to stay
There are a number of hostels in London which offer cheaper, short term accommodation, compared to staying in a hotel. Try Hostelbookers.com or Hostelworld.com
If you have nowhere to stay and no money to stay in a hostel, you can use the Homeless Link Shelter Finder to look for local shelters near you.
Your local council may have a legal duty to help you with finding accommodation, if you are eligible. Use Shelter's eligibility checker to see if you can get help from your council.
For urgent homelessness advice, call Shelter on 0808 800 4444.
- Where can I get advice about other issues?
Try Citizens Advice Bureau who give free, independent and impartial advice, covering issues from housing, law & consumer rights.