A student smiling, wearing a woolly bobble hat in front of a large window.

WinterFest

Make the most of your winter break

Decorative festive image with copy stating "WINTERFEST @ UWL. COMMUNITY - STUDY - FUN"

Find out how you can get the most out of your time over winter break - whether it's developing skills, making new friends or getting the support you need.

Future You: professional development

Woman sat in the library writing with a stack of books next to her

Study Skills Development

Over the winter break, students can access the Study Skills Development Sharepoint page. With over 35 different guides available, students can use this site to develop their academic writing and study skills.

To access this material, please log in using your student details and view the Study Skills Development Sharepoint page.

Two students using macbook laptops in a cafe area

Career development activities

These activities have been created by the UWL Careers team. Each element consists of 4-8 smaller tasks which you can work through at your own pace:

Complete the skills questionnaire via the Student Hub and access your own bespoke development report and course.

A student, wearing a blue top, working at a computer, looking towards the screen

Digital resources for careers and employment support

Here at UWL we offer a wide range of online resources to all our students to help prepare them for success in their future careers. 
Visit our employability webpage to gain access to all the digital tools on offer.
A student sitting in a cafe next to her laptop and holding her phone.

Linkedin Learning

Linkedin Learning allows you to engage in self-study on a wide range of professional and academic skills. It also allows you to track your progress, and the platform will recommend other resources you may find useful based on the training you have engaged with.

These short videos are curated from LinkedIn Learning and are 3-7 minutes in length.

Develop your study skills

This section brings together information, support and guidance for your academic studies to supplement the information you receive within your modules.

Community and wellbeing

Your wellbeing is important to us and we want to make sure you feel supported during the winter break. We have put together the below wellbeing resources and community-based activities you can engage with over this period.

Six Student Experience Facilators staff members standing in the library with orange tops on.

Come and have a chat

If you are experiencing a challenge* or just fancy a friendly chat, our Student Experience Facilitators are here for you! On the days the Paul Hamlyn Library is open (refer to our campus opening times over winter break page), you can find a Student Experience Facilitator on the first floor of the library. 

Alternatively, you can get in touch via our hotline or email our team to arrange a phone call at a time that suits you best. 

*Student Experience Facilitators can signpost you to appropriate support and take your details down to share with the relevant team who can support you on their return from the Winter break.

4 students walking outside UWL

Wellbeing support externally

Your wellbeing is important to us so we have made sure you have support available to you 24/7. We have provided free access to Togetherall which provides you with resources, courses and a safe peer-to-peer platform to enable our community to get support and feel better.

Sign up to Togetherall for free using your UWL email address and get 24/7 anonymous online support.

Student Space is offering one-to-one support for whatever challenge you are facing through your university and post-graduation journey. Whether it is your mental wellbeing, your studies, money, housing or relationships, you can reach out to one of their trained volunteers for free and confidential support.

A student helping another student on a laptop.

Report + support

The University of West London is committed to promoting and providing a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff. We take reports of bullying and harassment, discrimination, hate crime or abuse/sexual misconduct seriously.

Our online Report and Support tool enables anyone to report concerns anonymously and/or receive support from an adviser. This site has been created to provide information and resources around various forms of harassment and abuse.

Report and Support cannot provide an immediate response to urgent concerns or ongoing incidents. If there is an immediate risk of serious harm to you or anyone else please call the emergency services on 999.

A group of students sat around a table, writing notes, while one is texting on her phone.

Urgent support

Need to talk to someone? 

  • Samaritans - open every day throughout the year. 

Need medical help? 

  • If you need medical advice, you can book an emergency GP appointment with your GP surgery.​ 
  • ​If you need urgent medical advice, call the NHS 111 (England & Wales) - T: 08454 242424
  • If you need immediate medical help or attention, call 999 or visit Accident & Emergency (A&E). 
Several hands on top of each other in a circle

Volunteering opportunities

During the winter break, you can make a difference to your local communities and make new friends by volunteering. Volunteering is also a great way to develop your skills and CV for your dream career. Check out the opportunities available to you below:

  • Crisis (across December and January)

    External opportunity

    Nationwide opportunities in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Oxford and Newcastle across December and January. You could be welcoming guests, serving hot meals or running activities and services in hotels and day centres. Or you could work behind the scenes in the Canning Town warehouse. 

  • Boston Manor Park

    External opportunity

    Weekly adult gardening and conservation volunteering sessions every Tuesday, 10am - 12:30pm, meeting by the walled garden in Boston Manor Park. 

  • British Heart Foundation – become a volunteer

    External opportunity

    BHF is calling on people to get involved in ‘Operation Elf’ and spend some time volunteering in one of their shops. Whether you are able to donate a few hours or a full day, give your inner self the opportunity to meet people, try something new and do something great to help fund life-saving research. 

    Opportunities in Ealing, Hammersmith, Southall, Hounslow, Twickenham, Fulham, Putney, Kilburn and many more.

  • Thames21 - planting, river cleaning and conservation

    External opportunity

    Thames21 run a variety of one-off events including planting, river cleans and conservation days. Pick a date and time that suits you!

  • NishkamSWAT

    The first UK Charity to take the concept of Langar to the streets of the UK to serve the Homeless. 

  • Charity Begins at Home

    Help prepare emergency food packs for the homeless. Volunteer every Friday and Wednesday evening from 5pm - 7pm at Agar Street Strand, near Charing Cross Station. 

Fun activities

London in the evening as the sun is setting with Big Ben in the background.

Things to do in London

Spending your winter break in London? You are in for a treat! The city truly sparkles in the winter, offering a range of activities to make your holidays vibrant and memorable.
Whether you are looking to explore London with friends or enjoy some solo adventures, London has something for everyone.
The UWL Students' Union has a fantastic list of indoor and outdoor activities for spending your winter break in style.
A skyline of the city of London, showing high rising buildings and the River Thames in the forefront while the sun rises.

Key places to visit in London

Student stories

Amy, BA (Hons) Actor Musicianship student, tells us about five great things to do in Ealing.

Image of a pile of old books with different coloured spines. There are four stacks of books in the photo.

Books and films

Fiction and topical books

As well as academic books, Perlego and LibSearch, also include fiction and topical books for you to read. Have a look out for Perlego’s ‘Year in Review’ selection (coming soon on Perlego) for some title suggestions and have a look through the London Fiction Collection titles to see if there are any you would like to borrow from the physical library or read online (where available).

BoB film suggestions

Birmingham Christmas Market

Day trips outside of London

Our Student Experience team have put together guides to some of the best places to visit on a day trip outside of London this winter – from Harry Potter filming locations to one of the world's largest Christmas markets. 

Find out more below:

  • Day trip to Oxford

    Oxford is the city of dreaming spires and is worth visiting all year round. Oxford is home to a famous university and world-class museums. 

    Must see: 
    • Visit Christ Church College, where a few scenes from the Harry Potter movies were filmed. 
    • The most famous museum in Oxford is the Ashmolean. It’s free to visit and has an exciting mix of everything. 
    • You could also visit the Bodleian libraries (the second largest in the UK). 
    • Visit the Covered Market, where you can find some unique gifts.
    How to get there: 

    Train: Approximately one hour from London Paddington to Oxford. Check the train schedules and pricing. 

    Coach: Approximately two hours from several London locations, but there is also a bus service called the Oxford Tube, which frequently runs from Victoria Station and has a few other stops in London. Find more information about the Oxford Tube. 

    National Express provides 24-hour service to Oxford from London Victoria Station. Check schedules and pricing. 

  • Day trip to Birmingham

    Birmingham is one of the best places to be during the winter. The Birmingham Frankfurt Christmas Market is the largest festive market found outside Germany and Austria. 

    Must see: 
    • At the Christmas Market, there is plenty of German food, mulled wine and Christmas carols. Don’t miss the singing Christmas moose (known as Chris Moose) which is located in front of the Council House entrance. The Christmas Market opens in early November and runs until 24 December. 
    • The Birmingham Library is a stunning work of modern architecture. It is worth a visit to see the most extensive collection of Shakespeare’s works in the UK and also the outdoor garden, which has impressive views over the city. 
    • A short walk from the library is the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. The art gallery has the most significant public Pre-Raphaelite collection in the world. There is also a dedicated gallery for the Staffordshire Hoard, the most important find of Anglo-Saxon gold ever. 
    How to get there: 

    Train: There are frequent trains from London Euston and London Marylebone to Birmingham New Street Station. The journey takes about an hour and a half. Check prices and schedule.

    Coach: There is also a bus option from Victoria Coach Station, which takes around two and a half hours. Check prices and schedule. 

  • Day trip to Bicester Village

    The UK’s most popular shopping destination, Bicester Village is located in beautiful countryside, including many restaurants and cafes, making it a perfect day trip destination. 

    Must see: 
    • The Village is home to more than 160 fashion and lifestyle boutiques. 
    • Find boutiques of leading British and international luxury fashion brands with savings of up to 60% all year round, including Alexander McQueen, Armani, Bally, Coach, Fendi, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Smith, Saint Laurent Paris, Stella McCartney, Tod’s, Valentino and many more. 
    How to get there: 

    Train: Travel to the Village direct from London Marylebone in just 46 minutes. Book your tickets. 

    Coach: Coaches from London to Bicester cover the 51 miles long journey taking on average just under two hours with National Express. 

  • Day trip to Chatsworth House

    Chatsworth House is home to the Cavendish family and has been passed down through 16 generations, starting with Bess of Hardwick in Queen Elizabeth I's reign. The countdown to Christmas has begun at Chatsworth is transformed into The Palace of Advent.

    Must see: 
    • Discover the 105-acre Chatsworth Garden, the product of nearly 500 years of careful cultivation and still ever-evolving. Sit and enjoy the vistas or take a talk to admire some of the many features, including an arboretum, rock garden, fountains, sculptures, glasshouses and more.
    • Inside the house, explore 24 rooms filled with Christmas wonder and the sights, sounds and scents of the season. Travel under archways adorned with candy canes, handmade Christmas stockings and mistletoe.
    Tickets

    Christmas at Chatsworth tickets include admission to the house, garden and farmyard. Pre-booking is essential and includes one car parking space per transaction. Tickets start at £24 for adults. Find out more.

    How to get there: 

    Train: Travel to Chatsworth House from London King's Cross is around three hours. 

International students

International students on Tower Bridge

For some of you, it may be your first winter in the UK, away from home, but don't worry! 
We know being away from home can be a bit overwhelming, but we are here to make it a wonderful experience for you. 
 
We have dedicated this entire section for our international students to make sure that you have everything you need to know to help you enjoy this break, even if in a new country.

We hope it will inspire you as you head towards the end of the year and that you know how to reach out for support if needed.

  • International tips for enjoying the winter break in London

    Feeling homesick is a common experience for many international students. It's natural to miss home, your family, your favourite food and familiar things when you are in a new country. To help you navigate these feelings, your VP of Education, Ayan, went around and asked students to share how they manage homesickness, providing practical advice and reminding you that you are not alone this winter. Tips on coping with homesickness are shared in UWLSU's latest blog post.

    Discover our top tips from our international students and get inspired by what they plan to do this winter break in UWLSU's blog post.

  • Wellbeing management online course

    If you are interested in an online course for wellbeing management, the British Council offers a free online course titled ‘Managing Your Wellbeing When Studying in the UK’. This course provides information on how to you get support and guidance to help you manage stress, manage negative thoughts, and adjust to UK culture when studying abroad.

  • Christmas Day at International Students House

    International Students House is hosting Christmas celebration dinner. This will be an opportunity for you to meet a mix of students from all over the world who study at a variety of London universities. 
    There will be plenty of photo opportunities, Christmas crackers, a screening of the 3pm speech by His Majesty the King, followed by a movie or a walk in nearby Regent’s Park. Goodie box provided on departure with nibbles to tide you over for the rest of the day. 
    Tickets and booking
    Tickets are £20 for students and £40 for non students.
    Booking deadline - Monday 16 December 2024

  • Finding comfort food from home in London - blog

    We know that for many international students one of the main challenges living abroad is adjusting to a new environment, which includes food. Finding foods you are familiar with can make you feel more connected to home and help to give you comfort as you are reminded of family dishes. 
    Check out International Student House's blog to find out where you can find the best spots to get meals and ingredients that will remind you of back home.

Cost of living support

English bank notes

UWL is here to support you, and we recognise that the economic climate is currently making things extremely tough for students to make ends meet.

Working with UWLSU, departments across the university have identified ways we can support you at this challenging time – whether the support you need is connected to your finances, your wellbeing or simply ensuring you can access life’s essentials.

Find out more

  • Travelling around London on a student budget - blog

    International Students House have written a blog post breaking down all the ways to get around exploring the city on a budget. Check out the helpful guide so you can get around London efficiently whilst saving some money.

  • Digital Eagle events

    Digital Eagles are passionate about helping everyone get the most out of digital. No matter where you are on your journey, Digital Eagles can help keep you up to date and stay safe online. Join these free events to meet the team and find out more.

Find out more