Cookies
Visitiors to our Websites
When someone visits www.sthelens.ac.uk we collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site. We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting either of our websites (www.sthelens.ac.uk). We will not associate any data gathered from this site with any personally identifying information from any source. If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be up front about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.
Use of cookies by St Helens College
Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer by websites that you visit. They are widely used in order to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site.
The table below explains the cookies we use and why.
| COOKIE | NAME | PURPOSE | MORE INFORMATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | _utma _utmb _utmc _utmz |
These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited. | Click here for an overview of privacy at Google |
Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.
To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.
YouTube cookies
Videos
We embed videos from our official YouTube channel using YouTube’s privacy-enhanced mode. This mode may set cookies on your computer once you click on the YouTube video player, but YouTube will not store personally-identifiable cookie information for playbacks of embedded videos using the privacy-enhanced mode. To find out more please visit YouTube’s embedding videos information page.
Search engine
The search engine on our website is designed to be as powerful and easy to use as the popular search engine Google. The search is made possible by a piece of hardware (a search ‘appliance’) supplied by Google that is plugged into our server and continuously indexes the content on our site. All search requests are handled by the appliance and the information is not passed on to any third party, including Google.
What is a cookie?
A cookie, other than being a delicious treat, is a simple text file that is stored on your computer or mobile device, by a website's server. Only that websites server is able to retired or read the contents. All cookies are unique to your web browser, and usually contains a unique identifier, the site's name and some digits. It allows websites to remember what you have put in your shopping basket or your website preferences.
Cookies used by this website?
By using the website www.sthelens.ac.uk, you agree that we can store and access cookies, IP addresses and use other methods in order to collect website usage data, and improve your online experience. This can include information about your use of the website, the browser and device type you are accessing it from and where you are in the world.
When do we use cookies?
St Helens College and University Centre St Helens uses cookies on sthelens.ac.uk and uc.sthelens.ac.uk for the following purposes:
Technical
Cookies are used for technical reasons to enable the efficient working of sthelens.ac.uk. For example, to:
- balance website traffic to ensure our customers receive a consistent and reliable service
- limit traffic to key parts of the website in order to maintain performance levels
Tracking
Cookies are used to gather statistics on how visitors use our site. For example, to:- gather feedback on customer satisfaction through our website survey
- gain insight into how visitors use the website so that we can make improvements to its usability
Marketing
Cookies are used to enable us to present appropriate messages to you. For example, to:
- allow third parties to display appropriate advertising and to track its effectiveness
- display messages which offer a selection of products based on what you're viewing on sthelens.ac.uk, which are presented to you by our agency when you visit other selected websites. This is known as online behavioural advertising. For more information please see 'What is online behavioural advertising'?
You can choose to opt out of this type of advertising permanently by going to this website.
Please note though, that if you delete your cookies too, we'll no longer know that you've opted out, so the banners from our third-party will reappear when you visit other selected websites.
What to do if you don't want cookies to be set
If you feel that the idea of a website storing information on your computer or mobile device a bit intrusive, it is possible to block some or all cookies, or even delete cookies that have already been set. However, you may lose some function sof the website you are deleting them from.
What is online behavioural advertising/interest based advertising?
Online behavioural advertising (also known as interest-based advertising) is a way of serving advertisements on the websites you visit and making them more relevant to you and your interests.
Shared interests are grouped together based upon previous web browsing activity and web users are then served advertising which matches their shared interests. In this way, advertising can be made as relevant and useful as possible. Relevant ads can also be delivered based upon the website content you have just been viewing. This is known as ‘retargeting’. For more information refer to this website.
Website Disclaimer
To the fullest extent permitted at law, St Helens College is providing this website and its contents on an "as is" basis and makes no (and expressly disclaims all) representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this website or the information, content, products or services included in this site.
Whilst every effort has been taken by St Helens College and its subsidiaries to ensure that the course information provided on course sheets and on this website is accurate the content is naturally subject to change. In no event will St Helens College be held liable for any direct, indirect, special incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use of the information held on this server.
Every effort is made to ensure downloadable content is free from viruses. St Helens College can accept no liability for damages resulting from virus infection.
