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Cookies

Our site, like many other websites, use small files called cookies to allow our website to operate and to improve the website experience.

“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 originating website on each subsequent visit. Cookies are useful because they allow a website to recognise a user’s device.” – Text taken from ICO document ‘Guidance on the rules on use cookies and similar technologies’, dated 13 December 2011.

How do we use cookies?

Using our website will generate the following type of cookies

  • First party core website cookies
  • Third party core website cookies
  • Third party analytics cookies
  • Third party cookies

First party core website cookies

These cookies are used for core functionality of the website, such as logging into our website and using our online shop.

ASP.NET_SessionID  Stores a temporary unique identifier for your session no other information is stored. Expires on exit of browser
ASPXAUTH When you are logged in, this cookie stores a value which identifies you to your site. This value is encrypted and can only be read by the server. If you use the Remember Me function this cookie remains on your computer for 3 months, otherwise it is removed when you log out of the site. Expires on exit of browser or 3 months (optional)

Third party core website cookies

If you are a student, and are logging in through your Swansea University account, additional cookies may be stored...

Third party analytics cookies

These cookies are used for our analytics and tracking software. Their purpose is to tell us whether you are new to the site or not, what pages you are browsing and to track how many individual users are browsing the website.

These analytics cookies are completely anonymous, even when logged into our website, and the stats collected are for statistical purposes only.

_utma Used by Google Analytics to capture and determine unique visitors and the frequency of views. __utma is written to the browser on your first visit to a site (from the browser being used). Expires in 2 years
_utmb Used by Google Analytics to establish and continue your session on the site. Each time you visit a page it is updated to expire in 30 minutes. It expires if you spend more than 30 minutes on a single page. Expires in 30 minutes
 
_utmc Previously used by Google Analytics javascript to define a session status. Expires in 6 months
_utmz Used by Google Analytics to store the type of referral used to reach the site; e.g. direct, link, web search, etc. Expires on exit of browser

Third party cookies

Our website makes use of third party widgets, plugins and resources. This includes, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, AddThis, YouTube and Flickr. Because of how cookies work, we do not have access to these cookies, nor can they access cookies that we use. 

Due to the nature of third party plugins, we are unable to document what cookies will be stored. It is up to the user to check what cookies will be stored.

We are not responsible for third party cookies, all we can do is make them aware to you.

How do I turn off cookies?

All modern browsers allow you to change your cookie settings. These settings are normally found in your 'Options' or 'Preferences' menu of your browser. For more information, please see the following links to instructions on cookie settings.