Extended winter break 2026

Posted on Tuesday 20 October 2026

The University is giving staff an additional day’s leave to extend the winter break and facilitate some much needed rest time away from work. The additional day’s leave is to be taken on Thursday 24 December. This additional entitlement will be reduced pro-rata for part time staff.

Taking time off this Winter

• As many colleagues as possible should take the 24 December off to enjoy an extended break, unless it is agreed with their line manager that they are required to work.
• Staff who are required to work on 24 December, for example Campus Safety, will be granted the additional day (pro-rated for part time) for use at another time. Ideally, this would be used to support an extended winter break.
• As usual, colleagues should use their annual leave entitlement for the three public holidays and the three customary closure days falling between 25 December and 1 January.
• Part-time staff have a pro-rated leave entitlement (including 24 December), but they will need to book less time off to enjoy the extended break. 

Please refer to the FAQ document for further guidance on the winter break. The FAQs include guidance for departments on how to manage the additional leave entitlement in FlexiLeave.

Further guidance on annual leave entitlement, including a leave calculator, can be found on the HR webpages.