How cookies are used by Northumbria University
This website does not collect any identifiable personal information, unless you are invited to register/log on to specific sections, in which case we only collect the information you supply to enable you to use your account correctly.
1. What are Cookies?
Cookies are small files which are placed on your computer as you browse the internet. They are used to enable websites to work more efficiently by remembering your activities and preferences on a site as you move through it and then using that stored information if you return at a later date. For example, if you look at a website to shop online, a cookie would store information on your computer to track what items you have looked at and then use this to produce a “recently viewed items” list as you browse. This list may then be used again when you return to the site.
Cookies can also be used by websites to help the website owners gather statistics on the use of their site or ‘hits’ on specific pages. This information is useful to site owners because they can use it to gauge the popularity or usefulness of a page and then adjust the content accordingly.
2. Northumbria University uses the following Cookies
First Party Cookies – These are our own cookies, controlled by us to assist browsers with their browsing history and to provide information to us about site usage.
Third Party Cookies – These are cookies loaded from a server external to the University by another organisation. The University has no control over these cookies.
List of First Party Cookies
Cookie Name |
Purpose |
Expires |
Session Cookies | Track browsing history to compile ‘recently viewed’ course lists | When you close your browser, the session cookie disappears. |
Persistent Cookies | These are used to track returning visitors | Expires after 12 months and enable us to compare website traffic from month to month |
Cookies for monitoring site traffic
The University monitors how the site is viewed which enables us to monitor trends, improve content and provide relevant information to future site users. To monitor this we use Google Analytics.
Cookie Name | Purpose | Expires |
_utma | This cookie is used to determine unique visitors to our site | 2 years |
_utmb, _utmc | These cookies work together to calculate the average length of time users spend on our site. | when you close the browser |
_utmz | This cookie records information about how the page was reached (for example via a search engine result or a direct link). | 6 months |
__utmmobile | This cookie is used to determine unique visitors to our site. | 2 years |
3. Third Party Cookies
Google Analytics Cookies
Provides anonymous statistical information about the use of the site.
Third party Cookies are cookies found on websites external to the University which we use to enhance our services (for example those used by university library systems) or to enhance our web profile (for example the University Facebook or Twitter accounts). These services manage and control their own cookies.
Northumbria University has a relationship with Hobsons Plc (Hobsons) where certain web pages and links accessible via Northumbria’s website are hosted by Hobsons. A list of the Cookies used by Hobsons for the processing of information on these pages can be found here http://www.hobsons.com/europe/cookies.php
Library Systems
System Name | Cookie Name | Purpose | Expires |
Talis Library Catalogue | Uses Session Cookies to retain “browsing history”.Disabling cookies will block this service. | Deleted upon browser closure. | |
NORA | Disabling cookies will block this service. | Deleted upon browser closure. | |
Northumbria Research Link | Uses Session Cookies to retain “browsing history” when user logs on. | Deleted upon browser closure. |
Social media
To view and find out how to manage cookies on Twitter and Facebook please visit the privacy sections of these websites directly: Twitter and Facebook.
Links to external websites
This website contains links to other websites. Cookies placed on your machine by these websites are out of the University’s Control.
4. How to Manage Your Cookies
To find out how to manage what cookies you allow, see your browser’s help section below or your mobile phone manual.
- Google Chrome http://support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95647
- Microsoft IE 9 http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/How-to-manage-cookies-in-Internet-Explorer-9
- Mozilla Firefox http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/Cookies
- Apple Safari 5.0 http://support.apple.com/kb/PH5042
- Opera http://www.opera.com/browser/tutorials/security/privacy/
- Blackberry http://docs.blackberry.com/en/developers/deliverables/11844/feature_cookie_storage_438273_11.jsp
- Android http://support.google.com/mobile/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=169022