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Site cookies
Last updated: 21 September 2026
What is a cookie?
A cookie is a small text file that is downloaded onto your device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the owners of the site. This can help in providing an effective website experience and relevant content.
The rules on cookies and similar technologies are covered by the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR). PECR covers the storing of information, or the gaining of access to information stored, on a user’s device.
Cookie usage
This platform uses cookies to support essential website functions and, where enabled by site owners, embedded services such as video players. Some cookies are set directly by this platform, or by embedded first-party systems we control. Others are set by third-party services embedded within pages, including YouTube/Google and Vimeo.
For third-party services, the exact cookies set may vary depending on factors such as whether you are logged in to that service, whether you have previously visited it, your browser settings, the consent choices you make, and the provider’s own technical configuration.
We group cookies into categories to help you understand why we use them. You can manage your consent preferences via our cookie consent tool or by adjusting your browser preferences.
Updates to this page
This cookie policy may be updated from time to time as functionality on the platform changes, including the introduction of additional services or user features. We will publish any material changes on this page.
1. Necessary cookies
Cookie banner
| Cookie | Service | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| frescocookiecontrol_faculty-of-music | Platform | Save cookie preferences | 13 weeks |
Login cookies
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| SSESS[random identifier] | Drupal session identifier - used to distinguish authenticated user sessions and maintain login | 8 hours |
| SimpleSAMLAuthToken | Token for the current user’s login session | Until you close your browser |
| SimpleSAMLSessionID | Identifies the current user session for login stability | Until you close your browser |
2. Analytics
Google Maps
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _utma | Legacy Google Analytics visitor identifier | 13 months |
| _utmb | Session tracking | 30 minutes |
| _utmc | Session Management | Session |
| _utmt | Request throttling | Variable |
| _utmz | Session Management | Variable |
Oxford Events
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| NRBA_SESSION NRBA_SESSION:<id> | Local Storage: Performance monitoring Error tracking Telemetry | Unknown |
3. Functional
Google Maps
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| GRECAPTCHA | Bot detection and abuse prevention | Several months |
| NID | Google preference, used for language, interface setting and map preferences | 6 months |
| google.maps.eventPage | Local Storage: Map state storage | Variable |
| rc::f:* | Local Storage – reCAPTCHA anti-bot token | No built in expiry |
Oxford Events
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| cf_clearance | Cloudflare security | ~ 45 weeks |
4. Marketing
Google Maps
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| rc::a | Local Storage – reCAPTCHA state token | No built in expiry |
5. Video
Note: If you are logged into a YouTube, Google or Vimeo account, these providers may link your viewing activity on this site to your account. This occurs via cookies already stored in your browser from those services.
Vimeo
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| _cf_bm | Necessary: Cloudflare cookie used to support Vimeo's bot management and security. | 30 mins |
| _cfuvid | Necessary: Cloudflare Rate-limiting / DDoS protection. | Until you close your browser |
| cf_clearance | Necessary: Proof of ‘human’ verification (Captcha). | 365 days |
| player_clearance | Necessary: Vimeo cookie used for bot prevention. | 7 days |
YouTube
| Cookie | Purpose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| GPS | Analytics: Registers a unique ID on mobile devices to support tracking based on geographical location. | 1 day |
| VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE | Functional/Analytics: bandwidth estimation for video quality/tracking of user behaviour and unique visitors | 180 days |
| YSC | Analytics: video view statistics | Until you close your browser |
Managing Your Preferences
You can adjust which non-essential cookies you allow by clicking on the ‘Set cookie preferences’ (‘C’ icon) button at the bottom of every page. You can then adjust the available sliders to ‘On’ or ‘Off’, then click ‘X’ to close. You may need to refresh your page for your settings to take effect.
It is also possible to prevent the setting of cookies by adjusting your browser settings. Be aware that doing this may affect the functionality of other websites that you visit. The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) provides information on browser controls and where to find instructions for controlling cookies in different browsers. Please see the section on browser cookie settings at the end of the Cookies page on the ICO website.
Contact
If you have any queries or concerns about the use of cookies on this website, please contact our Fresco Service team.