About this policy
This Cookie Policy explains how Exam Centre Manchester (“we”, “us” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies when you visit our website or book an exam with us. It sets out what each type of cookie does, why we use it, and the choices available to you.
It should be read alongside our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use and protect your personal information more generally.
What cookies are
Cookies are small text files that a website saves on your computer, phone or tablet when you visit. They allow the site to recognise your device, remember information about your visit and work more efficiently. A cookie cannot run programs on your device or give us access to anything else stored on it.
- Session cookies
- Temporary cookies that are deleted as soon as you close your browser.
- Persistent cookies
- Stay on your device for a set period, or until you delete them, so the site can remember you on a later visit.
- First-party cookies
- Set by our own website.
- Third-party cookies
- Set by another organisation whose service we use on our site, such as a payment provider.
We may also use similar technologies, such as your browser’s local storage. In this policy, “cookies” refers to all of these.
How we ask for consent
In line with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the only cookies we use without asking you first are those that are strictly necessary — the cookies needed to run the website, keep it secure and complete your booking.
For all other cookies — analytics, functionality and marketing — we ask for your consent before they are set. You can withdraw your consent at any time by deleting cookies and adjusting your browser settings, as described in section 7. Doing so will not affect your ability to book an exam.
The types of cookies we use
The cookies on our website fall into four categories.
Strictly necessary
Essential for the website to work. They keep you signed in, remember your booking as you move through each step, process payments securely and protect the site against fraud.
Analytics
Show us how visitors find and use our website, such as which pages are viewed most and where people leave the booking process. The data is combined and used to improve the site.
Functionality
Remember choices you make, such as your preferred settings or details you’ve already entered, so you don’t need to set them again on your next visit.
Marketing
Help us show you relevant information about our exams and services, and measure how well our advertising and communications perform.
Cookies on our website
The table below lists the main cookies currently used on our website. Durations are approximate and can vary between browsers.
| Cookie | Provider | Purpose | Category | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
laravel_session |
Exam Centre Manchester | Keeps you signed in and remembers your booking as you move between pages. | Strictly necessary | 2 hours |
XSRF-TOKEN |
Exam Centre Manchester | Security token that protects our booking and payment forms against forged requests. | Strictly necessary | 2 hours |
__stripe_mid |
Stripe | Used by our payment provider to prevent fraud and process card payments securely. | Strictly necessary | 1 year |
__stripe_sid |
Stripe | Used by our payment provider to prevent fraud during a single payment session. | Strictly necessary | 30 minutes |
_ga |
Google Analytics | Distinguishes unique visitors so we can understand how our website is used. | Analytics | 2 years |
_ga_* |
Google Analytics | Keeps track of your current visit for our analytics reports. | Analytics | 2 years |
Third-party providers may occasionally change the names or durations of their cookies. We review this list regularly to keep it accurate.
Third-party cookies
Some features of our website rely on trusted third-party services — for example, our payment provider when you pay for an exam, or analytics tools that help us understand how the site is used. These providers may set their own cookies, which are governed by their own policies rather than ours.
You can read more about how they use cookies here:
How to manage cookies
Most browsers let you view, block or delete cookies through their settings. You can block all cookies, only third-party cookies, or cookies from particular websites, and you can clear existing cookies at any time. These guides cover the most common browsers:
To stop Google Analytics collecting data on any website you visit, you can install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. For general guidance on cookies and online advertising, visit Your Online Choices.
If you block strictly necessary cookies, parts of our website — including signing in, booking an exam and making a payment — will not work properly.
Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time — for example, when we introduce new cookies or when the law or regulatory guidance changes. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised “last updated” date, so we recommend checking back periodically.
This policy was last updated on 10 September 2026.
Contact us
If you have any questions about this policy or how we use cookies, please get in touch.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), the UK’s data protection regulator, at ico.org.uk.