Cookie Policy

Cookie Policy Date

Last updated: 24th January 2024.

Introduction

The Open University (“we”, “us”, “our”) uses cookies on this site (the “Service”). By using the Service, you consent to the use of cookies.

What are cookies?

Cookies are small pieces of text sent by your web browser by a website you visit. A cookie file is stored in your web browser and allows the Service or a third-party to recognise you and make your next visit easier and the Service more useful to you.

Your choices regarding cookies

You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clicking on the ‘C’ icon. You can then adjust the available sliders to ‘On’ or ‘Off’, then clicking ‘Save and close’. You may need to refresh your page for your settings to take effect.

Alternatively, most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings. To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set, visit www.aboutcookies.org or www.allaboutcookies.org.

How The Open University uses cookies

When you use and access the Service, we may place a number of cookie files in your web browser.

We use cookies for the following purposes:

• To enable certain functions of the Service.
• To provide analytics.
• To store your preferences.
• To show services which may be of interest.

Types of cookies we use

Essential cookies: We may use essential cookies to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts.

Performance cookies: These cookies collect information about how you use the Service, like which pages you visited, and which links you clicked on. None of this information can be used to identify you. It is all aggregated and, therefore, anonymised. Their sole purpose is to improve website functions.

Functionality cookies: These cookies allow us to remember choices you make when you use the Service, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these cookies is to provide you with a more personal experience and to avoid you having to re-enter your preferences every time you use the Service.

Advertising cookies: These cookies are used to deliver advertisements that are relevant to you and your interests. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement, as well as to help measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.

Third-party cookies: In addition to our own cookies, we may also use various third-party cookies to report usage statistics of the Service, deliver advertisements on and through the Service, and so on.