Festive calendar
Your countdown to 2025 starts here.
2024 has been incredible and we want to celebrate the last month of the year by highlighting our achievements throughout the years with lesser-known facts about the University.
Welcome to our festive calendar
We’re celebrating our achievements with 25 days of festive fun.In 1898, the University of East London was founded with the aim of serving both its local community and a wider audience.
Find out more about how we became The People’s University
A phoenix rises
In 1900 a fire broke out at UELUEL had to be reconstructed from the ground up. This is why the phoenix is part of our logo and coat of arms because, just like the mythical bird, UEL was reborn from the ashes.
Find out more about our history
Our Stratford Campus
An example of Renaissance Revival architectureArchitects Gibson and Russell designed the University Stratford campus. The UEL Stratford campus includes the Great Hall, a majestic space that is often used for celebrations, and University House, a Grade II listed building.
University of the Year
UEL is crowned University of the Year for teaching qualityOur strong track record of excellence is recognised as we were recently named University of the Year 2025 for Teaching Quality by The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide.
University of the Year
Scrooge
Based on A Christmas Carol by Charles DickensEast London Arts and UEL BA Acting for Stage and Screen present a Christmas Family Show: Scrooge at our newly launched venue: The Source
Get tickets
After Dark
Our community event is back for 2025Each year we host a FREE community event featuring music, dance, creative arts and fashion. Visitors are invited to participate in immersive experiences in a festival designed to be an experiential journey.
Check out last year’s event
Keep it moving
Moves is our FREE app which rewards you for being active!Earn points and turn them into prizes with Moves whether you’re walking, cycling, or running on campus or around London.
Check out the app
Dreaming Shakespeare
A national treasure statue outside our Stratford CampusThe Shakespeare statue was made for the Opera House, Haymarket. The reason for its existence in Stratford remains unknown but we’re happy to have him in our campus community
SportsDock
The legacy of the 2012 OlympicsSportsDock is our state-of-the-art sports facility, located on UEL's Docklands Campus, it was built for Team USA during the 2012 Olympics. It is now open to UEL students, staff and the public.
Explore SportsDock
Think you know east London? Think again.
Your ultimate guide to the best spots in east LondonJoin UEL students Oma, Lauren, and Saiful as they guide you on a virtual tour of their favourite local spots.
Check it out
Sweet research
We’ve developed Sugarcrete®, an ultra-low carbon bio-based material which upcycles sugarcane waste into construction products.Sugarcrete® is an alternative to bricks and concrete and is being used in buildings in the UK and around the world.
Read more about Sugarcrete
Street art
East London is well known for street art, including Banksy murals and other elaborate displays.To celebrate our 125th anniversary we created a mural on our Docklands Campus. Artist Luke Gray interviewed members of staff and students to find out more about the university.
Watch the video
Win yourself a SportsDock membership
Health and fitness are a priorityWe want our whole community to benefit from better health so if you want to be in with a chance of winning a year’s membership (or upgrade) drop us a comment on socials anytime in December saying: SPORTSDOCK MEMBERSHIP
The Royal Docks
We love our home in the Royal DocksWith so much to plan—from festive gatherings to unforgettable Christmas parties—the Royal Docks is the perfect spot to celebrate with friends, family, and colleagues.
Find out more about what’s going on in the Royal Docks
Way Out East
Get your free art fix this festive seasonOur on campus art gallery in Docklands was renovated in 2022 and now showcases some incredible exhibitions.
Find out more about Way Out East
Fashion is in our DNA
London Fashion WeekEmerging designers from the University of East London’s fashion degree course presented their designs at the official London Fashion Week (LFW) show.
See the designs
Our diverse student population
We can say happy new year in a lot of languagesDid you know that UEL's student body is made up of students from over 160 nationalities and five continents?
Our community garden
Located between Redbridge and Marley student residences.The garden consists of eight outdoor beds as well as a polytunnel where garden volunteers grow their own vegetables, fruits, flowers and herbs.
How to get involved
An airport on our doorstep
London City Airport is across the water from our Docklands Campus.It is the most central London airport, and 3,412,122 passengers passed through London City Airport in 2023.
Discover City Airport
Winter traditions
How do you celebrate during this festive season?We have a highly diverse community at UEL, and we all celebrate the festive season in our own unique ways.
Follow us on Instagram to find out about some of our student and staff celebrations.
Did you know you could study abroad?
Explore, learn, and grow internationallyUEL students and graduates can gain global experience through short-term programmes or work placements, funded by the Turing Scheme for up to 12 months.
More information on our global experiences
East London Voices
One human story at a time.Discover the vibrant UEL community of students, staff, and alumni. Explore their inspiring stories on our dedicated page.
East London Voices
Our partnerships help students into employment
Our Cultural Producers initiative with NewhamOur Cultural Producers programme offers six months of part-time training to prepare students for a career in the arts, heritage, health, or environment sectors, equipping people to create and manage community-focused events.
Our Cultural Producers programme
Roman Stratford
Did you know Stratford has been inhabited since Roman times?It was a major trade and industry hub in the 11th century. It was home to one of the first porcelain factories.
Merry Christmas!
However you celebrate this dayWe want to wish our campus community and beyond a most wonderful festive break.
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