Legal · Cookies
Cookies Policy
Last updated: 4 October 2026
This Cookies Policy explains how UCASCalculator.com (the “Website”) uses cookies and similar technologies. It is written so visitors can understand what is stored on their device, why it is used, and how to control it. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.
1. What are cookies?
Cookies are small text files placed on your computer, phone or tablet when you visit a website. They are widely used to make sites work, remember settings, understand how pages perform, and — where advertising is enabled — support the delivery of ads. Similar technologies can include local storage, pixels and device identifiers. In this policy, we use “cookies” to cover these related technologies unless we say otherwise.
UCASCalculator.com provides free UCAS Tariff calculators and educational guides. Cookies are not required to read most of our public content, but some features and measurement tools may rely on them. We aim to use only what is needed to run and improve the Website and, where Google advertising is active, to show ads in line with Google's policies and applicable law.
2. Why we use cookies
We may use cookies to:
- Keep the Website secure and working as expected.
- Remember preference settings such as colour theme.
- Measure aggregated traffic and page usefulness so we can fix broken links, improve guides, and prioritise content that helps applicants.
- Support Google advertising services when ads are displayed on the Website, including measurement and personalisation options that Google offers and that you can control.
We do not use cookies to change your UCAS application, access university systems, or collect passwords. The calculator itself is designed to run from published Tariff lookup values in your browser.
3. Types of cookies we use
The table below summarises the main categories. Exact cookie names can change when providers update their technology. When advertising or analytics tools are enabled on a page, those providers may set additional cookies described in their own documentation.
| Name / category | Type | Purpose | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential / session cookies | Strictly necessary | Help the site load securely, remember basic session state, and support core features such as navigation and form security where used. | Session or short-term |
| Preference cookies (for example theme) | Preference | Remember display choices such as light or dark appearance so pages feel consistent when you return. | Up to 1 year |
| _ga, _ga_* (if Analytics is enabled) | Analytics | Help us understand aggregated traffic, popular pages and technical issues so we can improve the calculator and guides. These cookies do not replace reading our content. | Up to 2 years |
| Google advertising cookies (when ads are shown) | Advertising | Used by Google and authorised partners to deliver, measure and, where allowed, personalise ads. See the advertising section below for AdSense-related disclosures. | Varies by Google / partner |
4. Essential cookies
Strictly necessary cookies support basic operation and security. Without them, parts of the Website may not load correctly. Preference cookies that remember display settings are not always legally classed the same way as analytics or advertising cookies, but we treat them as low-impact tools that improve usability. You can still delete them in your browser if you prefer to reset the experience on each visit.
5. Analytics cookies
When analytics tools such as Google Analytics are enabled, they help us see which guides are useful, whether pages fail to load, and how visitors move between the calculator and Tariff tables. We use this information in aggregate to improve content quality. Analytics cookies are not used to sell your name or create a student profile for universities.
If Google Analytics is active, you can also use Google's Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.
6. Advertising cookies and Google AdSense
UCASCalculator.com may display advertisements served by Google AdSense or other Google advertising products. When ads are shown, Google and authorised third parties may place and read cookies on your browser, or use similar technologies, to serve and measure ads.
In line with Google's publisher requirements, we disclose the following:
- Third-party vendors, including Google, use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to your website or other websites.
- Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visit to this site and/or other sites on the internet.
- Users may opt out of personalised advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. You can also visit aboutads.info for broader industry opt-out tools where available.
For more detail on how Google uses information from sites that use its services, see How Google uses data when you use our partners' sites or apps.
We aim to keep ads clearly separated from educational content. Ads should not be mistaken for Tariff guidance, official UCAS notices, or university offers. If you believe an ad implementation on this site is unclear or broken, please contact us so we can review it.
7. How to manage or delete cookies
Most browsers let you block, delete or limit cookies. Controls vary by browser and device. Useful starting points:
If you block all cookies, some preference features may reset each visit. Core educational pages should still remain readable. Blocking advertising cookies may mean you still see ads, but they may be less relevant.
8. Legal basis and updates
Where UK law requires consent for non-essential cookies, we will only use those cookies in ways that match the choices available to you and the disclosures on this page and in our Privacy Policy. Essential cookies may be used because they are necessary to provide the Website you requested.
We may update this Cookies Policy when our tools change — for example when a new analytics provider is added, when Google advertising is enabled or configured differently, or when the law requires clearer wording. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page will change when we publish a material revision.
9. Questions about cookies
If you have a question about cookies on UCASCalculator.com, email ucascalculatorucas@gmail.com or use our Contact page. Please describe the browser and page involved if you are reporting a cookie or consent issue. We typically respond within a few working days.