Cookies Statement
A cookie is a small file of information which a web server stores on a user's computer to record their preferences and other pieces of information. The cookie is set through a request by a web server to a web browser such as Internet Explorer, or Mozilla Firefox. A cookie is composed of two parts, its name and its content.
A cookie contains information linked from the user to a specific website. If you access the same website again, the web server can read from and react to the information that it has stored to provide a more user-friendly experience.
Cookies are used to store information relating to online offers and services, eg language preferences, privacy settings, and shopping habits, so that you receive more relevant information in a form that is suitable to you.
Most cookies do not store any personal or sensitive information, or anything that makes you personally identifiable. Most cookies are used to record information such as: how you found our website, which pages you viewed, and how long you spent on the site.
Cookies are also used to store information such as: language settings, log-ins for email, or the items in a shopping basket. We do need personal details for some services, for instance if you want to use our online shop, and so that you can use the shop more quickly on return visits, or if you complete an online form.
Here is a list of the cookies we have defined as 'strictly necessary':
- ASP.NET_SessionId - contains a unique and anonymous identifying ID, which allows us to ensure that subsequent visits to our website are recorded as belonging to the same (unique) visitor. This cookie expires after you leave our website.
- __bsscookieLevel - contains information about which cookie setting the visitor has selected. This cookie expires in 30 days and does not contain any identifying information.
- __bssstyle - remembers which stylesheet you had previously selected. This is important for accessibility reasons, as we want to provide our users the best experience. This cookie expires in 30 days and does not contain any identifying information.
- __bsstabs - remembers which section of the promotional carousel you last looked at and sets it as default on your next visit. This cookie expires in 30 days and does not contain any identifying information.
- visitor_info1_live and pref - are set by youtube.com and identify which version of Flash plugin is installed to ensure that the best video performance is delivered and that a new YouTube interface is loaded. These cookies do not contain any identifying information.
- __bssbof - enables visitors to hide and show the content carousel. It remembers the setting upon the next visit and displays the toggle switch. This cookie expires in 30 days and does not contain any identifying information.
- __bssflakesremoved - contains information which flake from the has been removed from the homepage. This cookie expires in 30 days and does not contain any identifying information.
- __bssflakesadded - contains information which flake from the has been removed from the homepage. This cookie expires in 30 days and does not contain any identifying information.
- psc - View counter cookie via addthis.com
- uid/uit - User id and login time tracking via addthis.com
- _atuvc - is created and read by addthis.com JavaScript on the client side in order to make sure the user sees the updated count if they share a page and return to it before our share count cache is updated. No data from that cookie is sent back to AddThis.
We use Google Analytics, which creates a number of first-party cookies, all prefixed __utm:
- __utma: contains a unique and anonymous identifying ID, which allows us to ensure that subsequent visits to our website are recorded as belonging to the same (unique) visitor. This cookie expires after two years.
- __utmb: used to establish and continue a unique user session. Each time you request another page from the website the cookie is updated to expire after 30minutes.
- __utmc: works with __utmb to determine when to create a new session for a website visitor. This is a session cookie and expires when you exit the browser.
- __utmz: tracks how you found us and is used to calculate traffic and navigation within the website. It is updated with every new page view and expires after 6 months.
To opt out of our use of Google Analytics you may wish to consider using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add.
We also use Facebook pixel to measure, optimise and build audiences for advertising campaigns served on both Facebook and Instagram. In particular, this pixel allows us to display our ads to users who have already visited the Bucks New University website or to those who are more likely to be interested on what we offer. For more detailed information about the use of the Facebook pixel please visit the Facebook for Business website.
You can read our list of cookies in the Cookies settings pop-up box. If you have any further questions, please email: dpofficer@bucks.ac.uk.
