Cookie policy
This policy explains what cookies we use on ucaspointscalculator.co.uk, why we use them, and how you can control them.
This is a genuine, usable policy. We still recommend you obtain independent legal advice to confirm it meets your circumstances.
What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files that a website stores in your browser when you visit. They are widely used to make sites work, remember your preferences, and provide information to the site operator. Some cookies are essential; others are optional and only set with your permission.
How we use cookies and how we get your consent
If you visit from the UK, the EEA or Switzerland, a consent message from Google appears on your first visit. Google provides it for us (it is a certified consent tool under the IAB Transparency and Consent Framework). It lets you:
- Consent — allow analytics cookies and advertising cookies.
- Do not consent or Manage options — refuse them, or choose purpose by purpose.
No analytics or advertising cookies are set in these regions until you consent. You can change or withdraw your choice at any time by clicking "Cookie preferences" in the footer of any page.
Visitors from other countries do not see the message, because their local law does not require it.
Cookies we use
| Cookie / Provider | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
FCCDCF, FCNEC — Google consent message | Strictly necessary. Stores your consent choice so the message does not show on every page. | ~13 months |
_ga, _ga_<id> — Google Analytics | Analytics. Distinguishes unique visitors and sessions; measures pages visited, approximate location and device type in aggregate. Set only after you consent (UK, EEA, Switzerland). | ~2 years |
| Google AdSense and partners | Advertising. Used for non-personalised ad delivery, frequency capping, fraud prevention and measurement. Set only after you consent (UK, EEA, Switzerland). | Varies |
Strictly necessary cookies
These are required for the site to function and to honour your privacy choices. They cannot be switched off. The strictly necessary cookies are the ones that store your consent choice.
Firebase Hosting (Google) may also record server-side access information for security and infrastructure purposes; this is separate from browser cookies.
Analytics cookies
We use Google Analytics 4 (via Firebase Analytics) to understand which pages are popular, how visitors find the site, and which devices and browsers are in use. All data is processed in aggregate. In the UK, the EEA and Switzerland, analytics cookies are only set after you consent.
Advertising cookies
We use Google AdSense to show advertisements. Google and its partners may set advertising cookies to deliver and measure ads, cap how often you see an ad, and prevent fraud. In the UK, the EEA and Switzerland this happens only after you consent. If you do not consent, ads may still appear, but without advertising cookies.
Ads on this site are never personalised. We keep Google's ad personalisation switched off for every visitor, even if you consent, because many of our visitors are under 18. Ads are chosen from context, such as the page you are reading, and not from your browsing history.
You will be asked again if new cookie categories are introduced.
How to control cookies
You have several ways to manage cookies:
- Google's consent message — consent, refuse, or choose purpose by purpose on your first visit.
- Cookie preferences — click "Cookie preferences" in the site footer at any time to change your choice.
- Browser settings — most browsers let you view, block or delete cookies. Visit your browser's help pages for instructions:
- Google opt-outs — manage personalised ad settings at Google Ads Settings, or opt out of Google Analytics across sites via the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
Blocking certain cookies may affect how parts of the site work (for example, your consent preference may not be saved if you block all cookies).
More information
For information about how we handle your personal data more broadly — including your UK GDPR rights and how to contact us — see our privacy policy.
Read next
Sources
Checked against official sources on 25 June 2026. Always confirm exact requirements on the university's own course page.