Introduction Cookies at a Glance
Our approach: We use the minimum cookies necessary to operate our website. We never use cookies to build advertising profiles or sell your data. Non-essential cookies require your explicit consent.
This Cookie Policy explains how House of Admissions and Education Services ("HOA", "we", "us") uses cookies and similar tracking technologies on houseofadmissions.com. It forms part of our Privacy Policy.
A "cookie" is a small text file placed on your device when you visit our website. Cookies help websites function properly, understand how they are used, and provide a better user experience.
Section 01 What Are Cookies?
Cookies are small data files stored in your browser when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work efficiently, remember your preferences, and provide information to website owners. There are also similar technologies:
- Session cookies: Temporary cookies deleted when you close your browser. Used for session management and security.
- Persistent cookies: Remain on your device for a specified period or until manually deleted. Used for remembering preferences and analytics.
- First-party cookies: Set directly by our website (houseofadmissions.com).
- Third-party cookies: Set by external services we use (Google Analytics, Facebook). Governed by their own privacy policies.
- Similar technologies: Web beacons, pixel tags, and local storage work similarly to cookies and are covered by this policy.
Section 02 Categories of Cookies
We classify cookies into four categories based on their purpose:
Section 03 Specific Cookies We Use
| Cookie Name | Category | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHPSESSID | Strictly Necessary | PHP session management — required for contact forms and security. Identifies your browser session. | Session (deleted on browser close) |
| csrf_token | Strictly Necessary | Cross-site request forgery protection. Prevents malicious form submissions. | Session |
| cookie_consent | Strictly Necessary | Records your cookie consent preferences so we don't ask every visit. | 1 year |
| _ga | Analytics | Google Analytics — distinguishes unique users. Completely anonymised. No personally identifiable data. | 2 years |
| _ga_XXXXXXXX | Analytics | Google Analytics — maintains session state. Anonymised session data. | 2 years |
| _gid | Analytics | Google Analytics — distinguishes users. Resets daily. | 24 hours |
| _fbp | Marketing | Facebook Pixel — tracks visits from Facebook ads. Used only to measure ad effectiveness. Set only with consent. | 3 months |
| _gcl_au | Marketing | Google Ads conversion tracking — measures when a form submission follows an ad click. Set only with consent. | 3 months |
| hoa_pref | Functional | HOA preference cookie — remembers display preferences and language settings. | 1 year |
Section 04 Third-Party Cookies and Services
We use a small number of trusted third-party services that may set their own cookies. These services have their own privacy policies:
| Service | Purpose | Privacy Policy | Can Opt Out? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Website usage analytics — anonymised data only. We use IP anonymisation. No user profiling. | Google Privacy Policy | Yes — see below |
| Google Ads | Conversion tracking for our ad campaigns — measuring, not targeting | Google Privacy Policy | Yes — consent required |
| Facebook Pixel | Ad performance measurement — we do not use Facebook for audience retargeting | Meta Privacy Policy | Yes — consent required |
| Google Fonts | Typography delivery via Google's CDN. May log IP address temporarily per Google's standard practices. | Google Privacy Policy | Via browser settings |
| Font Awesome CDN | Icon delivery via Cloudflare CDN. Standard CDN logging applies. | Font Awesome Privacy | Via browser settings |
Section 05 Your Consent
Under applicable privacy law, we require your consent to set non-essential cookies (analytics, functional, and marketing categories). When you first visit our website, a cookie banner allows you to:
- Accept All: Enable all cookie categories including analytics and marketing
- Reject All: Enable only strictly necessary cookies (our website will still function)
- Manage Preferences: Choose exactly which categories to enable or disable
Strictly necessary cookies are always active — they are essential for our website to function and do not require your consent. Rejecting non-essential cookies does not affect your ability to use our services or submit an application.
You can change your cookie preferences at any time by clearing your cookies in browser settings and revisiting the site, or by contacting us at info@houseofadmissions.com.
Section 06 Managing and Controlling Cookies
You have several options for controlling cookies on our site and across the web:
Browser Settings
Most browsers allow you to view, block and delete cookies. Here are quick links to instructions for major browsers:
| Browser | How to Manage Cookies |
|---|---|
| Google Chrome | Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data |
| Mozilla Firefox | Settings → Privacy and Security → Cookies and Site Data |
| Apple Safari | Settings → Safari → Privacy → Manage Website Data |
| Microsoft Edge | Settings → Site Permissions → Cookies and Site Data |
| Opera | Settings → Privacy → Cookies |
Google Analytics Opt-Out
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to prevent your data from being included in Google Analytics reports across all websites.
Advertising Opt-Out
Opt out of interest-based advertising via Your Online Choices (EU) or Digital Advertising Alliance (US).
Section 07 Cookie Retention Periods
| Category | Maximum Retention | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Strictly Necessary (session) | Session only | Deleted when you close your browser |
| Strictly Necessary (persistent) | 1 year | Consent preference record only |
| Analytics | 2 years | Google Analytics standard. We apply IP anonymisation. |
| Functional | 1 year | Preference settings — refreshed on each visit |
| Marketing | 3 months | Only set with explicit consent |
Section 08 Impact of Disabling Cookies
If you disable non-essential cookies, our website will continue to function fully. You can still:
- Read all our UK university guides and region pages
- Submit enquiries and application forms
- Access all blog posts and scholarship guides
- Contact us via email or WhatsApp
Disabling strictly necessary cookies (not recommended) may cause our contact forms to malfunction and security protections to be unavailable. We advise keeping these enabled.
Section 09 Changes to This Policy
We review this Cookie Policy periodically and update it when we add or remove cookies, or when applicable law changes. We will update the "Last updated" date at the top and, where changes are significant, notify active clients by email. Continued use of our website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
Section 10 Contact Us
For questions about our use of cookies or to withdraw cookie consent:
Cookie and Privacy Enquiries
Study in the UK — 100% Free Service
Manchester, Edinburgh, Queen's Belfast, Cardiff — complete free guidance from Nepal.