NUS UK, NUS Services and NUS Charitable Services Cookie Policy 

 

What are cookies? 

 

This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are and how we use them, the types of cookies we use i.e, the information we collect using cookies and how that information is used, and how to manage the cookie settings. 

 

Cookies are small text files that are used to store small pieces of information. They are stored on your device when the website is loaded on your browser. These cookies help us make the website function properly, make it more secure, provide better user experience, and understand how the website performs and to analyse what works and where it needs improvement. 

 

How do we use cookies? 

 

We may automatically collect information as you use our digital services such as our websites. This may include the pages you have visited, information about the device or browser you are using and any errors you encountered. We do not use cookies to obtain any personally identifiable information about you when you visit one of its sites.  You can block or restrict the cookies set by an NUS website from within your browser settings, however doing so may affect the site functionality although you may still use most of the features of the website. 

 

If you wish to find out further information about cookies you can obtain additional details from www.aboutcookies.org  This site offers a comprehensive guide on cookies and how to remove them from your computer. 

 

Cookies are either: 

 

Session cookies: these are only stored on your device during your web session and are automatically deleted when you close your web browser – they usually store an anonymous session ID allowing you to browse a website without having to log into each page but they do not collect any personal data from your device. 

OR: 

Persistent cookies: a persistent cookie is stored as a small file on your device and it remains there when you close your web browser. The cookie can be read by the website that created it when you return to the site. 

 

Cookies can be categorised as follows: 

 

Strictly necessary cookies: these cookies are essential to the enable you to use this website effectively. Without these cookies, the services available to you on our website cannot be provided. These cookies do not gather information about you that could be used for marketing or tracking other sites you have visited on the internet. 

 

Performance cookies: these cookies enable us to to monitor and improve the performance of our website. For example they allow us to count visits, identify sources of traffic to our site, and see which parts of the site are most popular. We use persistent performance cookies for Google Analytics.  

 

Functionality cookies: these cookies allow our website to remember choices you make and provide enhanced features. The information functionality cookies collect is anonymised, you cannot be identified by functionality cookies. 

 

First and third party cookies: First party cookies are cookies set by a website itself. Third party cookies are cookies placed on websites by sites other than the site itself such as where a site carries advertising by third parties or use pixels from sites such as Facebook. These are designed to show you more relevant content when you visit their sites. 

 

Google Analytics cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our website. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the website. Google Analytics enables us to offer you a better service in a number of ways including providing more of the type of content site users visit most and improving the time it takes for site pages to load. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, you cannot be personally identified from the data collected by Google Analytics. 

 

You can opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites, by going to http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout 

 

This analytical information is processed in a way which does not identify anyone and we promise we will never share your identity with any third parties, including Google. 

 

Hotjar allows us to examine how users interact and engage with our site and we use this information to constantly improve the user experience and gain feedback from users.  You can opt out of being tracked by this software by enabling the ‘Do Not Track’ feature in your web browser.  For more information, please see the Hotjar Privacy Policy and Opt out pages.