Festive Opening Times at Arts University Plymouth: Campus Hours, Library, and Student Support

Festive Opening Times at Arts University Plymouth: Campus Hours, Library, and Student Support

The upcoming Christmas break brings specific changes to the way Arts University Plymouth operates. Understanding the revised campus hours, library schedules, and student support services will help you plan your work and stay connected during the festive period.

Overview of Campus Availability During the Christmas Break

All main campus sites – Tavistock Place, Studio 44, and Studio 11 – remain open Monday to Friday until 18:00 on 24 December 2025. The university is fully closed from 18:00 Thursday night. Operations resume on 5 January 2026, restoring normal term‑time hours.

Main Campus Hours (Tavistock Place, Studio 44, Studio 11)

  • Monday to Friday: 07:45–18:00 (until 24 December)
  • Weekends: closed
  • Full closure from 18:00 24 December, reopening 5 January at 07:45

Undergraduate students finish their classes on Friday 12 December 2025. All campus facilities close for the holidays thereafter.

Palace Court & Palace Studios – Pre‑Degree Campus Schedule

  • Open as usual until Friday 19 December.
  • Closed from 19 December 18:00 for the Christmas break.
  • Reopen 5 January 2026, aligning with main campus hours.

Plan to finish studio work or return borrowed equipment before 19 December to avoid any inconvenience.

Students’ Union Availability and Food Bank Services

  • The SU office closes Friday 12 December to Monday 5 January. Emails will not be checked.
  • Standard support services are unavailable during this period.
  • The food bank will operate from the Tavistock Place Reception for a limited number of parcels.

Library Operating Hours and Online Resources

The library will operate on reduced hours in the lead‑up to Christmas:

  • 12 December: 08:30–16:00
  • 15–18 December: 08:30–17:00
  • 19 December: 08:30–16:30
  • 22–24 December: 08:30–17:00 (subject to earlier closure on 24 December)

The library will be fully closed from 25 December to 4 January, reopening 5 January with normal term hours (08:30–19:00 Monday‑Thursday, 08:30–16:30 Friday). All e‑resources, reading lists and study materials remain available through the Library & Academic Skills portal.

Equipment Resource Centres (ERC) Status

ERC at Tavistock Place, and ERC2 at Palace Court, close for holiday maintenance:

  • Tavistock Place ERC: 16:00 12 December – reopen 5 January
  • Palace Court ERC2: 16:00 19 December – reopen 5 January

Return any loaned equipment before these dates. Timely returns help the teams keep the resources in working order.

Technical Studios & Labs Access

All technical workshops, including the Digital Print Bureau, remain open up to 12 December and close at 16:00. No support is available during the holiday period. Plan final printing or fabrication tasks before 12 December.

Student Support Office Adjusted Hours

  • Week commencing 14 December – 09:00 to 17:00
  • 22 & 23 December – 09:00 to 16:30
  • Christmas Eve – online support only, 09:00 to 14:00

After the festive period, services resume on 5 January, 09:00‑17:00.

Out‑of‑Hours and Urgent Support Options

  • For mental health or crisis support, call 111 and press 2 to reach NHS mental health services.
  • In an emergency, contact 999.

Planning Your Studio Projects Before and After the Break

  • Use the SmartHub platform to check availability and book studio time.
  • Take note of ERC and studio closure dates when planning projects.
  • Contact [email protected] for questions regarding equipment loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions commonly arise about campus closure dates, library access and support availability – all are answered in the university’s FAQs section on the website.

Take Action Today

Ensure you finish studio work, return borrowed equipment and confirm your library access before 24 December. Use SmartHub to reserve the technical space you need. If you need additional support, feel free to email Student Support or apply for assistance now. Your planning will save time and reduce stress during the holiday pause.

For more information, visit the Visit page, or contact us with any further queries. We look forward to welcoming you back on 5 January 2026.