Looking ahead, for the 2024 festive period, the University will close at 5pm on Monday 23 December 2024, and reopen at 9am on Friday 3 January 2025.
2024 public holiday dates
- Wednesday 25 December 2024
- Thursday 26 December 2024
- Wednesday 1 January 2025
- Thursday 2 January 2025
2024 annual leave dates
There are four closure dates during the festive period that will be taken from your 2024 annual leave entitlement:
- Tuesday 24 December 2024
- Friday 27 December 2024
- Monday 30 December 2024
- Tuesday 31 December 2024
The public holiday and annual leave days will be bulk uploaded into People and Money by the end of January 2024. Please note that any new staff member who starts after the bulk upload has been completed will need to book their annual leave, public holidays and closure days as annual leave in People and Money themselves.
The University’s joint statement with Unison and Unite unions
“Colleagues in grades 1-5 will now receive 36 days of annual leave entitlement from the first day of employment. This is a change from the current entitlement of 32 days for the first 4 years, rising to 36 days on the fifth anniversary of employment. This means that, including the four bank holidays, all staff will receive 40 days of holiday from 1 January 2024.
“This is a very positive change, made possible by working closely in partnership with our three recognised trade unions to explore improvements that can be made for colleagues. We are working hard on reviewing many of our pay and reward policies and processes and will be looking to find ways to continue to recognise and reward staff for their commitment and contribution.
“Before 1 January 2024, we will ensure that the necessary amendments have been made to our Annual Leave Policy, Conditions of Service, annual leave calculators, offer letters to new employees and the guidance available to staff on our website. Annual leave for affected staff will be adjusted in People and Money to reflect the new entitlement.”
2025 public holiday dates
For the 2025 festive period, the University will close 5pm on Tuesday 23 December 2025, and reopen at 9am on Monday 5 January 2026.
The public holiday dates are:
- Thursday 25 December 2025
- Friday 26 December 2025
- Thursday 1 January 2026
- Friday 2 January 2026
2025 annual leave dates
There are four closure dates during the festive period that will be taken from your 2025 annual leave entitlement:
- Wednesday 24 December 2025
- Monday 29 December 2025
- Tuesday 30 December 2025
- Wednesday 31 December 2025
2026 public holiday dates
- Thursday 1 January 2026
- Friday 2 January 2026