Cookie Policy

This policy explains how the Greater Manchester Institute of Technology (GMIoT) uses cookies and similar technologies on gmiot.org.uk.

What are cookies?

A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. Cookies allow a website to recognise your device and store information about your preferences or actions.

Cookies can be:

• Session cookies, which expire when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a defined period
• First party cookies, set by the website you are visiting
• Third party cookies, set by external services embedded on the website

How we use cookies

We use cookies to:

• Ensure the website functions properly
• Improve performance and usability
• Understand how visitors interact with the website
• Support advertising and marketing campaigns
• Provide embedded third party services

We only place non-essential cookies after you provide consent through our cookie consent mechanism.

Types of cookies we use

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for the website to function. They enable core features such as security, page navigation and form submission. These cookies do not require consent.

Performance and Analytics Cookies

We use Google Analytics (GA4) to collect information about how visitors use the website. This may include:

• Pages visited
• Time spent on pages
• How users arrive at the website
• Device and browser type
• Approximate geographic location

IP addresses are processed in accordance with Google’s privacy framework and are not used to identify individuals.

Analytics cookies are only set after you provide consent.

Google’s privacy information is available at: policies.google.com/privacy

You can opt out of Google Analytics here: tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout

Advertising and Marketing Cookies

We may use advertising pixels and tracking technologies from:

• Meta (Facebook and Instagram)
• LinkedIn
• TikTok

These technologies help us:

• Measure campaign performance
• Understand engagement with advertisements
• Improve targeting of marketing campaigns

These cookies are only activated where you have provided consent.

Functional Cookies

We use third party services to enhance website functionality, including:

• Mailchimp (newsletter sign up forms)
• Calendly (Course Chat booking forms)
• YouTube (video hosting)
• LMI for All (Labour Market Information portal)

These services may set cookies when you interact with embedded content. We do not control third party cookies but review providers periodically to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

Fraud Prevention and Security Tools

We may use services such as ClickPatrol to help monitor advertising activity and prevent fraudulent traffic. These tools may process technical identifiers for security and analytics purposes.

Managing your cookie preferences

When you first visit our website, you will be presented with a cookie consent banner allowing you to:

• Accept all cookies
• Reject non-essential cookies
• Manage cookie preferences by category

You can update your preferences at any time by clicking the “Cookie Settings” link available on the website.

Most web browsers also allow you to control cookies through browser settings. However, disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

International data transfers

Some of the third party providers listed above may process data outside the UK or European Economic Area. Where this occurs, appropriate safeguards are in place in accordance with UK GDPR.

Third party privacy policies

For more information about how third parties process data, please review:

• Google: policies.google.com/privacy
• Mailchimp: mailchimp.com/legal/privacy
• Meta: facebook.com/privacy/policy
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/legal/privacy-policy
• TikTok: tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy
• YouTube: policies.google.com/privacy
• LMI for All: lmiforall.org.uk/about-lmi-for-all/terms-and-conditions

Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in technology, legislation or website functionality. The latest version will always be published on this page.