Our Cookie Policy
Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of the website. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that is stored on your device.
The cookies set may obtain information about you, your computer, your use of our website and your general internet usage.
We use several types of cookies for a range of reasons across the University website. Some are essential, while others you can opt-out of or block.
Opting out or blocking some cookies may affect the functionality of the website.
Some of the cookies we use are essential to the performance of the website, while others are not.
We want to be open in the way we use cookies, and to help you make informed choices about the information you provide to us and third parties when you visit our website.
"A cookie is a small file, typically of letters and numbers, downloaded on to a device when the user accesses certain websites. Cookies are then sent back to the originating website on each subsequent visit. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user's device." - From the Information Commissioner's Office guidance on the use of cookies
Why and how we use cookies
There are broadly four reasons why a cookie might be stored on your device when visiting the University website.
- Cookies that make the website work properly for you and enable you to make use of the secure online services that we provide.
- Cookies that collect data about your use of the website which is then anonymised and used to help us improve our online services.
- Cookies that remember your preferences and make the site easier for you to use.
- Cookies that are placed by third party services we make use of to enhance the information we present online. We have no control over these third party cookies.
These cookies are placed on your device either by the University or by the third parties whose services we use as part of the website.
Some cookies are retained in your browser for only as long as you visit our website, while others persist for a longer specified or unspecified period.
How to block cookies
You can restrict or block cookies that are set during your use of the website by changing your browser's settings. Some pages may not work if you completely disable cookies, but many third party cookies can be safely blocked.
Check information in your browser's help section for specific instructions on how to manage cookies. Alternatively, websites such as "All About Cookies" provide comprehensive guidance.
Strictly necessary cookies
Some cookies we place on your browser ensure that the University's website delivers you information and services securely and optimally.
You must accept these essential cookies to be able to make use of our online systems.
Functionality cookies
Some cookies enable websites to remember choices their users make, for example, user name, language or text size. These cookies are known as "functionality cookies" and help to improve a user's experience of a website by providing a more personalised service.
Performance cookies
We use a number of tools that monitor visitor behaviour on our website to help us improve our information and services.
The tool we use most consistently is Google Analytics. Anonymous data about your visit is collected and amalgamated with that of other visitors so we can better understand how people use our website.
You can opt-out of providing us with this information if you wish, with no impact on your experience of our website.
Third-party cookies
Some University website pages use third-party services or software, such as maps, online videos or social networking features. Many of these services may set cookies on your device.
List of third party cookies we use
In line with new EU regulations, we are working to change the way our website works and actively get your consent for these cookies. At present this consent process is not in place.
However, you can block or remove cookies yourself by altering the settings of your browser. Blocking these cookies is unlikely to impact your experience of our website.