Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide to Us

We collect information you provide directly to us, including:

• Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address
• Course Enquiries: Information about your educational background, career goals, and course preferences
• Application Information: Educational qualifications, work experience, portfolio materials
• Communication: Messages, feedback, and correspondence with us
• Marketing Preferences: Your choices about receiving marketing communications
• Event Registration: Information when you register for workshops, events, or webinars

1.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click-through rates, search queries
• Location Information: General geographic location based on IP address
• Cookies and Tracking Technologies: Information collected through cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third parties, including:

• Social media platforms when you interact with our social media accounts
• Educational institutions or employers providing references
• Partner organisations and industry contacts
• Public databases and directories

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

2.1 Educational Services

• Processing course applications and enrolments
• Providing educational services and course materials
• Assessing your suitability for courses
• Maintaining student records and academic progress
• Providing certificates and qualifications

2.2 Communication

• Responding to your enquiries and requests
• Sending course information and updates
• Providing customer support and assistance
• Sending important notices about our services

2.3 Marketing and Promotion

• Sending newsletters and promotional materials (with your consent)
• Informing you about new courses and services
• Inviting you to events and workshops
• Conducting market research and surveys

2.4 Website Improvement

• Analysing website usage and performance
• Improving our website functionality and user experience
• Personalising content and recommendations
• Preventing fraud and ensuring security

2.5 Legal and Business Purposes

• Complying with legal obligations and regulations
• Protecting our rights and interests
• Resolving disputes and enforcing agreements
• Business planning and administration

3. How We Share Your Information

We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:

3.1 Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us with:

• Website hosting and maintenance
• Email marketing services
• Payment processing
• Customer relationship management
• Analytics and reporting
• IT support and security services

3.2 Educational Partners

We may share information with:

• Accrediting bodies and professional institutions
• Partner educational institutions
• Industry placement providers
• Guest lecturers and visiting professionals

3.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes and court orders
• Respond to lawful requests from authorities
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Protect the rights and safety of others

3.4 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

4. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against:

• Unauthorised access, use, or disclosure
• Accidental loss or destruction
• Malicious attacks and data breaches
• Other unlawful processing activities

4.1 Security Measures

• Encryption: Data transmitted over the internet is encrypted using SSL/TLS protocols
• Access Controls: Strict access controls and authentication procedures
• Regular Updates: Regular security updates and system maintenance
• Staff Training: Regular data protection training for our staff
• Incident Response: Procedures for detecting and responding to security incidents

However, please note that no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

5. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including:

• Student Records: Maintained for the duration of your studies plus 7 years for qualification verification
• Marketing Data: Until you unsubscribe or withdraw consent
• Website Analytics: Typically stored for 26 months
• Financial Records: 7 years for accounting and tax purposes
• Legal Records: As required by applicable law

We will securely delete or anonymise your information when it is no longer needed, unless we are required to retain it for legal purposes.

6. Your Rights

Under UK GDPR and data protection law, you have the following rights:

6.1 Right to Information

You have the right to be informed about how we collect and use your personal data.

6.2 Right of Access

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.

6.3 Right to Rectification

You can ask us to correct any inaccurate or incomplete personal information.

6.4 Right to Erasure

You can request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances.

6.5 Right to Restrict Processing

You can ask us to limit how we use your personal information in certain situations.

6.6 Right to Data Portability

You can request a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used format.

6.7 Right to Object

You can object to certain types of processing, including direct marketing.

6.8 Right to Withdraw Consent

Where we rely on consent, you can withdraw it at any time.

6.9 Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided below. We will respond to your request within one month, unless the request is complex, in which case we may extend this period by up to two months.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. For detailed information about our use of cookies, please see our Cookie Policy.

7.1 Types of Cookies We Use

• Necessary Cookies: Essential for website functionality
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Marketing Cookies: Used to deliver relevant advertisements
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings

You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie consent banner or your browser settings.

8. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 16 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 16. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can take appropriate action.

9. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to and processed in countries outside the UK. When we do this, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• Adequacy decisions by the UK government
• Standard contractual clauses approved by the UK authorities
• Certification schemes and codes of conduct
• Other appropriate safeguards recognised under UK law

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Notify you of significant changes through email or website notices
• Obtain your consent if required by law

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

11. Contact Information

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

12. Regulatory Authority

If you are not satisfied with our response to your data protection concerns, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):