What is a cookie?

A cookie is a file containing an identifier (a string of letters and numbers) that is sent by a web server to a web browser and is stored by the browser. The identifier is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.

Cookies may be either “persistent” cookies or “session” cookies: a persistent cookie will be stored by a web browser and will remain valid until its set expiry date, unless deleted by the user before the expiry date; a session cookie, on the other hand, will expire at the end of the user session, when the web browser is closed.

Cookies do not typically contain any information that personally identifies a user, but personal information that we store about you may be linked to the information stored in and obtained from cookies.

We use both session and persistent cookies on our website.

Why does the Chartered Institution for Further Education website use cookies?

The names of the cookies that we use on our website, and the purposes for which they are used, are set out below. (See “cookies in use on this site”)

We use cookies to improve the usability of this website and to analyse use of the website. Any data we collect about use of the website is anonymous and cannot be identified as you.

How to control and delete cookies

Most browsers allow you to refuse to accept cookies; for example:

Internet Explorer (version 10): block cookies using the cookie handling override settings available by clicking “Tools”, “Internet Options”, “Privacy” and then “Advanced”;

Firefox (version 24): block all cookies by clicking “Tools”, “Options”, “Privacy”, selecting “Use custom settings for history” from the drop-down menu, and unticking “Accept cookies from sites”; and

Chrome (version 29): block all cookies by accessing the “Customise and control” menu, and clicking “Settings”, “Show advanced settings” and “Content settings”, and then selecting “Block sites from setting any data” under the “Cookies” heading.

Blocking all cookies will have a negative impact upon the usability of many websites.

If you block cookies, you will not be able to use all the features on our website.

You can delete cookies already stored on your computer; for example:

Internet Explorer (version 10): you must manually delete cookie files (you can find instructions for doing so at http://support.microsoft.com/kb/278835);

Firefox (version 24): you can delete cookies by clicking “Tools”, “Options” and “Privacy”, then selecting “Use custom settings for history”, clicking “Show Cookies”, and then clicking “Remove All Cookies”; and

Chrome (version 29): you can delete all cookies by accessing the “Customise and control” menu, and clicking “Settings”, “Show advanced settings” and “Clear browsing data”, and then selecting “Delete cookies and other site and plug-in data” before clicking “Clear browsing data”.

Deleting cookies will have a negative impact on the usability of many websites.

Cookies in use on this site

Website Analytics data – We will not collect data that enable us to identify you. The only cookies which you may consider could be intrusive are those that identify which county/area of the country you come from, and if you are a new or returning visitor.

We use Google Analytics to help us improve the site by collecting information about how visitors use our 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.
To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.