Staying in Aber over the Winter Break?

University Opening Times

Over the Winter Break, most services at the University will be closed or operating with reduced hours from the evening of Friday, 20 December 2024, until Thursday, 2 January 2025.

Wednesday 25 December, Thursday 26 December and Wednesday 1 January are UK Bank Holidays.

Student Welcome Centre: Closed: From 20^th December 2024 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2025.

Undeb Aber (Students Union) Building: Closed: From 20^th December 2024 at 16:00. Reopens: 2nd January 2025.

Undeb Aber (Students Union) Shop and Bar: Closed: From 15^th December 2024. Shop Reopens: 3rd January 2025. Bar Reopens: 8^th January 2025.5.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre: Closed: From the evening of 22^nd December. Reopens: 2^nd January 2025.

Information Services: Closed: From 20^th December 2024 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2025.

Sports Centre: Closed: From 22^nd December 2024 at 16:30. Gym will be open on 30^th and 31^st December between 09:00 and 14:00. Sports Centre reopens fully: 2nd January 2025 at 06:00..

Catering Outlets: Closed: From 20^th December 2024 at 14:00. Reopens: 6th January 2025.

We want to let you know however that some core services and much support will still be available during this period.

Immediate, Student and Study Support

Need immediate support?

The University 24/7 Helpline will be available on 01970 622 900.

As always, our friendly University Security team will be available on campus 24/7. You can call them on 01970 622 900 or visit Campus reception (at the entrance to Penglais Campus here - open 24/7)

Student Services

Student Services will close on Friday, 20th of December at 16:30. It will re-open on Thursday, 2nd January at 09:00.

Find contact information for the Student Welcome Centre during the Winter Break.

Read further information about getting emergency support during the Winter Break.

Study Support

Want to learn a new skill over the Winter break or find resources and tools to help you study effectively?

• The University has a range of study support accessible throughout the Winter Break and information via AberSkills.
• Check out some useful resources for revision and exams.
• Read a Student Blog on how to effectively revise for a high mark.

Here are details of the Computer Room opening hours for the Christmas vacation period.

Hugh Owen Library Level D, Lounge@rosser, Lounge@PJM and the Workstation will remain open over Christmas for users with Aber Cards to swipe into.

Library and Social Spaces

Hugh Owen Library: Levels E&F: Closed: From 20^th December 2024 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2025.

Physical Sciences Library: Closed: From 20^th December 2024 at 16:30. Reopens: 2nd January 2025.

Remember that Level D of the Hugh Owen Library is open 24/7 throughout the winter break and provides access to study spaces, computers, vending and comfortable seating.

Your Aber Card is needed to enter and access this level.

Here are details about Library Opening Times over the Winter Break.

Other Social spaces:

Y Sgubor, Y Ffald, PJM and Rosser Lounge will remain open 24/7 throughout the winter break.

Here are details about the University Catering Services over the Winter Break.

Undeb Aber (Students Union) - In Aber for Winter information

Undeb Aber (Students’ Union)

Undeb Aber have a list of events and useful contacts for students staying in Aberystwyth over the winter break.

Here are details about Events and Contacts.

Join the In Aber for Winter Facebook Group!

Undeb Aber have created a Facebook group to share updates of events and activities, as well as giving students the opportunity to arrange meet-up with others.

Flat/House Christmas Dinner

We know that your Aber community might be having their flat Christmas dinner. Undeb Aber have listed here where you can get your turkey fix, the cheapest in Aber supermarkets! 

Residence Life Activities

The Aberystwyth University Resident Life team are hosting a wonderful range of festive events in December. All information on these events can be found on the ResLife social media pages also @Bywydaberlife IG and @Bywydaberlife FB.

What to do in Aber

Aberystwyth Arts Centre

The Arts Centre is hosting a range of different courses and one-off lessons throughout the winter break. The cinema will be showing many special screenings during this period.

Find out more information here about all December activities.

Fitness and Exercise

The University Sports Centre will be closed from 22^nd December at 16:30 until 29^th December.

The Gym will be open on 30^th and 31^st December between 09:00 and 14:00.

The Sports Centre will then reopen fully on the 2nd January 2025 at 06:00.

Plascrug Leisure Centre remains mostly open throughout the winter break. See their Opening Hours here.

Other gyms in the area will be open at various times throughout the winter break.

Fancy a run for Charity?

Join the RNLI Santa’s Sprint in Borth on Saturday 14^th December. You can also join the New Year Swim at New Quay Beach on the 1^st January if you wish!

Fancy a mince pie bike ride?

Join Ystwyth Cycling Club and Summit Cycles for their Mince Pie Rides on Sunday 22^nd December and Sunday 29^th December.

Aberystwyth Town Events

Christmas shopping?

In the run up to Christmas, independent stores in the town centre will stay open until 7pm every Thursday.

Aberystwyth’s Farmers’ Market will be held on the 7^th and the 21^st of December and The Old Town Market on the 14^th and 21^st December.

Christmas community events and screenings

Various community events are taking place in Aberystwyth and the area throughout this period. Here are some examples of these events:

• Aber Game Park – Tabletop Events like Pokemon Games
• Bookshop by the Sea - Events and Activities
• Ceredigion Museum – Exhibition and Events
• Commodore Cinema - Screenings

Other detailed Christmas information can be found here on the Discover Ceredigion website.

Prayer and Worship

Our Multi-Faith Space is somewhere that members of our University community can pray, meet and relax.

The Multi Faith Space will remain open over the Winter Break 7 days a week and find information here on how to book the space.

Further links can be found here to the various local faith provision and opportunities to attend over the Winter Break.

Candlelight carol services will be held in a number of beautiful locations across Aberystwyth and Ceredigion.

Volunteering over Christmas

There are many volunteering opportunities in and around Aberystwyth, which continues over the winter period.

Here are some examples of organisations that would be grateful for your support this Christmas:

• Jubilee Storehouse – Aberystwyth based food bank. Please email jubileestorehouse@broaberystwyth.co.uk if you wish to volunteer.
• Bookshop by the Sea – Local bookshop. Please email thebookshopbythesea@gmail.com
• Local Chairty Shops – pop into the local charity shops to enquire about volunteering

Register with CAVO who promote and support voluntary community action throughout Ceredigion for further volunteering opportunities.

Travelling Locally or Abroad?

Local Travel

Please remember to check holiday transport timetables/opening hours in advance.

Local Transport companies’ websites can be found here:

• Transport for Wales
• TrawsCymru
• National Express

Travelling Abroad

Travel advice over the Christmas period for international students

If you have an eVisa and are travelling home for the Christmas period, you will need to check your passport is linked to your eVisa to avoid problems when entering the UK after the 1 January 2025.

Please go to Update your UK Visas and Immigration account details: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).  If your passport is not listed under ID documents, please follow the steps below:

• select 'Add identity document'
• upload an image of your passport

You will receive an email confirmation from the UKVI once your passport has been linked to your eVisa.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

To all our students and staff have a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!