School closure and term dates
Please take the time to review the Official School Closure notice for 2011/12|. Details about the dates for the end of Michaelmas term and start of Lent term can be found by visiting Term dates|. Please note that the School is closed for a portion of the Christmas and New Year's Day holiday. To learn more about closure dates for this year, as well as future years, visit Public holidays and School closure dates|. Some services are still available during the holiday period. See the information provided by individual LSE services below for details.
Travelling during the holidays?
If you will be leaving the UK during the holidays, it is a good idea to bring photocopies of your passport (and visa if applicable) and a stamped copy of your Certificate of Registration| with you when you travel in case you need them. International students are also strongly advised to review the ISIS information What to do if you need to travel overseas|.
Those who will be travelling abroad should always check to see if a visa is required and review visa application instructions carefully. If you will require documentation that proves that you are a student at LSE, see the Certification of Registration| webpage to learn how to obtain what you need. It may be necessary for you to request documents from the School. Please note that the Student Services Centre (SSC) opening hours change during the vacation period, and so arrangements for documents should be made as early as possible to avoid delays. Be sure to make documentation arrangements as early as possible. See below for further details.
Student Services Centre
The Student Services Centre opening and drop-in hours change outside of term time and the SSC is closed during the School closure period. Please visit the SSC homepage| for details regarding opening hours and up-to-date closure information. If you think that you may require documentation over the break period, it is strongly recommended that you plan to request and collect items as early as possible.
Halls of Residence
All halls stay open during the Christmas and New Year vacation period.
Carr-Saunders, Passfield and Rosebery Halls' residents wishing to retain their rooms for the vacation period should declare their commitment now. Contact your hall reception with any questions about dates and other practical arrangements.
If you are planning to be away during the vacation, follow these simple steps before you go:
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Let reception know if you plan to stay during the vacation or if you will be away.
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Let your flatmates know that you will be away.
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Ensure you turn your hand basin tap off tightly.
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Close your bedroom window and lock away valuables.
Vacation dates are 10 December 2011 to 7 January 2012 for students in Carr-Saunders, Passfield and Rosebery Halls.
There are plans to organise events in halls over the Christmas break. Check with the Warden in your Hall. If there are any problems or emergencies in your hall during the holidays, contact the sub-warden who will know how to help.
Visit to Apsley House, London
Students in Halls are invited to book a place to attend a visit to Apsley House|, hosted by Rachael Elliott, Head of Residential Life. Visit the link to learn how to reserve your place, and please note that space is limited.
Investigate the off campus tab on this page for further ideas and suggestions for things to do if you will be in London over the Christmas break.
St. Philips Medical Centre
The Medical Centre will be open during normal opening hours| over the holidays, with the exception of the dates/times below.
26 December: Closed for Bank Holiday
27 December: Closed for Bank Holiday
28 December: Open Clinic 1pm to 4:30pm
29 December: Open Clinic 1pm to 4:30pm
30 December: Open Clinic 1pm to 4:30pm
2 January: Closed for Bank Holiday
Normal services will resume from 3 January 2012.
Library
From 11-22 December and 2-10 January, the Library building will be open Monday to Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am-9pm. Staffed services* will be open Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm. See Library Opening Hours| for details.
During the Christmas vacation, the Library will be closed from Thursday, 22 December 2011 to Monday, 2 January 2012 (inclusive). Some loan periods will be extended over the vacation when we are closed – please check the Library news section nearer the time for further details.
*During unstaffed opening hours, access is for existing Library cardholders only and the Library is staffed by Security.
IT resources and support
The IT Help Desk and Laptop Surgery are open during Christmas Vacation, excluding the shutdown period found on Public holidays and School closure dates|. See IT Services contact d|etails| for opening hours. Some student computer rooms will also remain open. For more information, visit IT facilities and software|.
If you are going away from campus or your residence over the vacation you can still access LSE IT resources remotely. Visit Using your own computer and mobile device |to find out how to access your LSE email, H: space, specialist software, and more.
Chaplaincy
The LSE Carol Service will be held on Wednesday, 7 December 2011 at 5:30pm in the Shaw Library followed by mulled wine and mince pies. Details may be found on the Chaplaincy| website.
The last Anglican Eucharist of term will be on 8 December 2011 at 1:05pm. Services will resume on 12 January. Catholic Mass continues through the vacation, with the exception of 28 December.
Students who will be in London the week before Christmas may like to attend the St Georges Bloomsbury Festival of Carols Service |on Wednesday, 21 December 2011 at 7:00pm. This will include a traditional service for the community followed by wine and mince pies. The LSE Chaplain, Revd Dr. James Walters|, will be in attendance at this event, and LSE students are encouraged to make themselves known to him.
The Chaplain can be contacted on j.walters2@lse.ac.uk| for much of the Christmas period.
Students' Union
The LSESU Music Society Christmas Concert| will be held Tuesday, 6 December 2011 from 7:30pm-10:30pm in St. Clement Danes. Tickets are £5.00 and can be purchased online via the link provided.
Please note the following:
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The Tuns will be closed from Saturday 17 December
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Students' Union Reception will be closed from Monday 19 December
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The Students' Union Shops and Gym will be closed from Thursday 22 December
All Students' Union services will resume from Wednesday, 4 January.
Catering
The following lists the opening arrangements for catering services from 12 December 2011 through 6 January 2012.
LSE GARRICK
8:00am – 6:00pm Mon-Fri
CLOSES Wednesday 21 December 2011 at 3:00pm
RE-OPENS Tuesday 3 January 2012
(Closes at 5:00pm on Friday 6 January for Staff Party)
CAFE 54
8:30am – 5:00pm Mon-Fri
CLOSES Friday 16 December 2011
RE-OPENS Tuesday 3 January 2012
PLAZA CAFÉ
10:00am – 6:00pm Mon-Fri
CLOSES Friday 16 December 2011
RE-OPENS Monday 9 January 2012
STAFF DINING ROOM and CAFÉ BAR (Members only)
Café Bar 10:00am – 4:30pm Mon-Fri
Dining Room 12:30pm – 2:15pm Mon-Fri
CLOSES Friday 16 December 2011
RE-OPENS Monday 9 January 2012
GEORGE IV
12:00noon – 11:00pm Mon-Fri
CLOSES Wednesday 21 December 2011 at 8.00pm
RE-OPENS Tuesday 3 January 2012
(Closes at 5:00pm on Friday 6 January for Staff Party)
4th FLOOR RESTAURANT
CLOSED
4th FLOOR CAFÉ BAR
CLOSED
NAB MEZZANINE
CLOSED
If you are staying in London over the Christmas break, it's a good idea to find out what's on and where. Many people who live in London leave the city to visit friends and family in the UK and overseas and the city can feel very different for a few days. The transport system is more limited and many shops are closed. However, London offers any number of things to do if you stay. We have offered a few ideas below to help you plan ahead.
Cumberland Lodge Pre-Christmas Weekend
The Cumberland Lodge Pre-Christmas Weekend is now SOLD OUT.
For sixty years, Cumberland Lodge, a stately home in Windsor has organised a special weekend for international students to meet and spend a weekend together. Cumberland Lodge is used regularly by universities across the UK for conferences and seminars and is set in its own grounds. This year the event will be held:
16-18 December 2011
Download the information sheet for more information: Cumberland Lodge Christmas Info Sheet |(PDF)
International Students House (ISH)
ISH, a centre in London available for all students, offers a varied Christmas programme throughout the holidays. This includes a Christmas Eve Winter Wonderland trip to Hyde Park, a traditional Christmas lunch and other things to do on Christmas Day, a Boxing Day Pantomine, or a visit to Hampton Court palace. For more details or to book a place for any or all of these events, about go to the ISH Events| website.
Volunteering
There are many ways to get involved during the holiday season which are rewarding as well as fun. To learn more about opportunities that may be of interest, check out Christmas volunteering opportunities| and contact the LSE Volunteer Centre|.
London International Meetup
London International Meetup| is a social group for people from all parts of the world (including British). It provides a chance to make new friends from many different cultures and backgrounds. There are typically a number of events and/or trips going on during the Christmas season.
Student Friendship Association
There is a longstanding friendship group for students run by Londoners, many of whom have lived and worked overseas, called "Gordon's Friends". This is an informal non-denominational group of people interested in meeting people from overseas.
An extensive social programme is run through out the year, including during Christmas and Easter vacations, which organises free and inexpensive visits to theatres, performances and other cultural events. All students need to do is contact Gordon Beal by email bealgordon@hotmail.com| and ask to join his Yahoo group.
Events in London
The UK Student Life|: Lots of useful information for students all year round and has an extensive list of events running in the UK in December.
Christmas in London|: Things to do in Christmas 2011, including Christmas markets, Christmas hotels, and things to do with kids at Christmas.
London Town| (search Christmas as a keyword): Lists of Christmas dining, shopping, market suggestions and more.
Time Out London|: Many suggestions of things to do during the holidays, such as outings, museums, and a range of music events.
Top 10 Things to do in London at Christmas|
Please note that LSE cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites.