What is a cookie?
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.
Information Commissioner's Office
Cookies on our Website
Our website uses cookies to distinguish you from other users of our website. Cookies help us to provide you with a good experience when you browse our website. It also allows us to make improvements to our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that we store on your browser or the hard drive of your computer. Cookies contain information that is transferred to your computer's hard drive. They provide useful information to us which helps in all sorts of ways. For you, it could mean you can use the site more efficiently and save time by not having to re-enter your details each time you visit. However, for us, cookies help us to analyse how our visitors interact with our site so we can make improvements.
Why do we use cookies?
We use cookies on www.uws.ac.uk because they enable us to:
- Ensure our website is working correctly
- Remember your settings during and between visits
- Continually improve our website for you by collecting data (which does not relate to an identified or identifiable natural person) about your use of the website which is anonymised
We do not use cookies to:
- Collect any sensitive information
- Pass personally identifiable data to third parties
You can find more information about cookies at www.allaboutcookies.org.
Types of cookies
There are broadly four types of/and 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.
Strictly necessary cookies
These are cookies that are required for the operation of our website. They include, for example, cookies that enable you to log into secure areas of our website.
Uws.cookiewarning
Purpose: A yes/no cookie that is used by the site to determine whether you have had the cookie policy drop down appear for you.
Expiry: The cookie is only valid during current browser session and it will be deleted when you close browser.
Analytical / performance cookies
These cookies allow us to recognise and count the number of visitors and to see how visitors move around our website when they are using it. This helps us to improve the way our website works, for example, by ensuring that users are finding what they are looking for easily.
Google Analytics
We use Google Analytics Cookies to compile visitor statistics such as how many people have visited our website, what type of technology they are using (e.g. Mac or Windows which helps to identify when our site isn't working as it should for particular technologies), how long they spend on the site, what page they look at etc. This helps us to continuously improve our website. These cookies also tell us, on an anonymous basis, how people reached this site (e.g. from a search engine) and whether they have been here before. Read Google's overview of privacy and safeguarding data.
List of cookies: _ga, _gid, _gat_UA-5268925-1, _gat_UA-5268925-9, __qca
You can opt-out of having your anonymised browsing history within our website recorded by analytics cookies. You can learn more about their privacy policy and how to opt-out of their analytics cookies by clicking on following links:
Google DoubleClick
UWS uses Google DoubleClick to register and report the website user's actions after viewing or clicking one of the advertiser's ads with the purpose of measuring the efficacy of an ad and to present targeted ads to the user
List of cookies: IDE
It is possible to personalise Google’s Ads settings with your Google Account. You can learn more about their privacy policy and how to opt-out of their cookies by clicking on following links:
Adalyser
An analytics platform that is used to measure response to TV advertising.
|
Cookie name |
Type |
Data stored |
Purpose |
|
__adal_ca |
Persistent |
Traffic source / campaign data |
Store which advertising campaign drove a user to visit |
|
__adal_cw |
Persistent |
Visit timestamp |
Tie back conversion events to earlier visits |
|
__adal_id |
Persistent |
Device ID (generated) |
Uniquely identify a device |
Advertising & remarketing cookies
We will sometimes use tracking pixels that set cookies to assist with delivering tailored online advertising to you. These cookies allow us to target our advertising to you on other websites. For example, we might show you an ad on other websites based on what you've viewed on www.uws.ac.uk.
Cookies are widely used in online advertising. By better what you are interested in, we can more efficiently promote related messages, offers to you. Be assured though that the process is anonymised and you cannot be personally identified at any time through the use of these cookies.
You can, of course, opt out of almost all advertising cookies by updating your preferences on the ‘Your Online Choices’ website. It is worth noting that opting out of advertising cookies won't stop you seeing adverts, just that they won't be tailored specifically to your interests or online activities.
Opt out of advertising cookies on Your Online Choices website.
Quantcast
Quantcast is a measurement, research and advertising company, and gathers data regarding the visitors to https://www.uws.ac.uk/ on our behalf using cookies, log file data and code embedded in our sites. We use this information to help improve the services we provide to you.
List of cookies: mp_65d384b072302e9ab16c9315bbc5f2b3_mixpanel, d, mc
You can learn more about their privacy policy and how to opt-out of their cookies by clicking on following links:
Opt-out of Quantcast cookies (set for international users only)
Third-party Cookies
Third-party cookies are not set directly by our website, but in certain circumstances may be initiated by third party service providers. UWS does not control the dissemination of these cookies.
dotdigital
dotdigital provides email and cross-channel marketing automation solutions. We sometimes use this platform to gather personal data of prospective and current students interested in studying at UWS.
List of cookies: ShowDowntimePage, Survey-872whm09, Survey-bb30py17, Survey-ff327v9e, UserData, __RequestVerificationToken, __cfduid, __lc.visitor_id.8597796, _ceg.s, _ceg.u, _ga, _gid, _uetsid, ajs_anonymous_id, ajs_group_id, ajs_user_id, authdm, crmGoogle, intercom-lou-m0x2gqp8, intercom-session-m0x2gqp8, lc_sso8597796, lc_window_state, wisepops, wisepops_session
You can learn more about their privacy policy by clicking on following link:
Video & Social Media Channels
We also use third party video services Vimeo and YouTube on our site. As part of their service they use cookies to track videos viewed by visitors so they can in the future offer videos tailored to your taste. This also allows them to target their advertising more precisely.
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google Plus share links appear on some pages on our website, these will also add cookies to your session from their own servers.
To find out more about the cookies set by and privacy policies of these external sources click the links below:
Restricting cookies
How to block cookies
You can restrict or block cookies which 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 on managing cookies.
Internet Explorer
- Select Tools
- Select Internet Options
- Select the Privacy tab and choose Advanced Options button
- Check the Override Automatic Cookie Handling tick box
- Disable the First Party cookies by choosing the Block option
- Disable the Third Party cookies by choosing the Block option
- Uncheck the option to 'Always allow session cookies'
- Click on OK to confirm changes
Mozilla Firefox
- Select the "Firefox" menu
- Select "Options"
- Select the "Privacy" tab
- Under "History", select "Use custom settings for history" from the dropdown list
- Uncheck the option "Accept cookies from sites"
Click on OK to confirm the changes
Google Chrome
- Open the Tools menu by clicking on the Wrench icon
- Select "Options"
- Select "Under the Bonnet"
- Select "Content settings"
- Select "Block sites from setting any date"
Apple Safari
- Open the Safari menu by clicking on the Gear icon
- Select "Preferences"
- Select the "Privacy" tab
- Select the option "Always" for the setting "Block cookies"
- Close the dialog box to confirm the changes
On 26 May 2012, European law relating to use of web cookies came into force in the UK that affected most web sites. The rules on cookies are covered by The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003 and The Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) (Amendment) Regulations 2011.
The European Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation) came into force on May 25th, 2018 in all EU member states to harmonize data privacy laws across Europe.
The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is responsible for enforcing these rules.
Last updated: 24/05/2018