Cookies are grouped into the following categories.

1. Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for the operation of the Website. They enable core functionality such as:

• Secure form submissions

• Protection against fraudulent activity

• Session management

• Load balancing and server performance

• Storage of your cookie consent preferences

Without these cookies, the Website cannot function properly.

Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled via the Cookie Preference Centre.

Examples may include cookies associated with:

• Content management systems

• Security systems

• Cloud hosting providers

• Consent management platforms

2. Performance and functionality cookies

These cookies enhance Website functionality but are not strictly essential. They may support:

• Live chat tools

• Embedded content (e.g. video)

• Language or regional preferences

• Load balancing optimisation

If you disable these cookies, some features of the Website may not operate correctly.

We may use technologies provided by services such as:

• Microsoft (for web hosting and infrastructure services)

• Cloud-based platforms supporting student enquiry forms

• CRM systems used for managing communications

3. Analytics cookies

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our Website so we can improve performance and user experience.

They collect information such as:

• Pages visited

• Time spent on pages

• Traffic sources

• Device and browser type

• Interaction patterns

• This data is generally aggregated and anonymised.

• Analytics technologies used may include:

• Google Analytics

• Microsoft Clarity

• CRM analytics tools

• Website optimisation tools

These cookies are only set with your consent.

4. Marketing and advertising cookies

These cookies are used to:

• Measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns

• Track conversions from online advertisements

• Deliver more relevant advertising on third-party platforms

They may be set by services such as:

• Google Ads

• LinkedIn Ads

• Meta (Facebook)

• Bing / Microsoft Advertising

These cookies track browsing activity across websites and may be used to build a profile of your interests.

Marketing cookies are only set where you have provided consent.

5. Social media cookies

If you use social sharing features or interact with embedded social content, third-party platforms may set cookies.

These may include:

• LinkedIn

• Meta (Facebook / Instagram)

• YouTube

These providers operate under their own privacy policies.

Additional Information
 
Third-party providers may process your data outside the UK or European Economic Area. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
 
You can manage your cookie preferences at any time through the Cookie Preference Centre available on this website. Disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality and performance of the site.

How can you control cookies?

You have the right to accept or reject non-essential cookies.

When you first visit our Website, you will be presented with a Cookie Preference Centre that allows you to:

Accept cookies
Deny cookies
Customise cookies

You can change your preferences at any time by accessing the Cookie Settings link available on our Website.
 
Disclosure of your information
 

• Except as set out in this policy or as required by law, your personal data will not be provided to any third party without your prior consent

• The information you provide to us will be held on our servers and computers in the UK. It may be accessed by or given to third parties some of whom may be located outside the European Economic Area who act for us for the purposes set out in this policy or for other purposes approved by you. Those parties process information and may provide support services to the University or on the University’s behalf.

• Countries outside the European Economic Area do not always have strong data protection laws. However, we will always take appropriate steps to ensure that your information is used securely by third parties in accordance with this policy.

Please note:

Strictly necessary cookies cannot be disabled.

Blocking certain cookies may impact your experience of the Website.

You can also manage cookies through your browser settings.

For guidance, visit:

• Chrome

• Firefox

• Safari

• Edge

Other tracking technologies

• We may also use technologies such as:

• Web beacons (tracking pixels)

• Embedded analytics scripts

• Conversion tracking tags

• These technologies often rely on cookies to function.

They allow us to:

• Measure marketing effectiveness

• Analyse engagement

• Improve site performance

Disabling cookies may prevent some of these technologies from operating correctly.

International data transfers

Some third-party providers may process data outside the UK. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards such as Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decisions are in place.

Updates to this Cookie Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:
 

• Changes in legal requirements

• Changes to technologies used

• Improvements to transparency

The date at the top of this page indicates when this Policy was last updated.

This cookie policy applies to both this page online.bristol.ac.uk and our application portal online-applications.bristol.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, please refer your enquiries to data-protection@bristol.ac.uk