8 March 2019

Privacy notice – UK higher education students returning from an EU university or college

The Office for Students (OfS) has been commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to provide guidance and assistance for UK nationals studying in the EU who are considering returning to the UK to complete their studies as a result of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.

This will include the provision of advice and guidance with the aim of assisting returning UK students to find information on UK higher education courses where they can complete their studies and signposting students to relevant information about completing their higher education qualification in the UK.

In taking advantage of this service, you have consented to the OfS sharing your personal data with UCAS, so we can advise you on the possible options for studying in the UK and transferring to a UK based university or college.

What personal data is shared and what will UCAS do with it?

The OfS has shared the following details with us:

  • your name
  • EU country of residence
  • email address
  • date of birth
  • whether you hold a UK passport
  • level of study (e.g. undergraduate or postgraduate)
  • subject area of study

We will use this personal data to provide you with tailored advice and guidance on your options for study.

Legal basis for using your personal information

Under data protection legislation, we require a legal basis to be able to use your personal information. In this case, we are relying on the consent you provided to the OfS to share your personal information with UCAS so we can give you relevant advice.

If you no longer want to receive advice from UCAS about your study options, please click the ‘unsubscribe’ link in the emails we send you.

Keeping your personal data secure and transfers of personal data

We use a variety of measures to make sure we hold your personal information securely, and only share it with organisations who need to access it. This includes maintaining an information security management system, in line with the international standard ISO 27001:2013.

Where we use the services of a supplier which involves transferring personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA), we include model contract clauses approved by the European Commission, which provide safeguards for the personal data transferred. If you want to know more about international transfers of your personal data, please contact datagovernance@ucas.ac.uk.

Your rights over your personal information

You have rights in relation to your personal information. You have the right to request:

  • a copy of your personal information
  • inaccurate personal information held about you is corrected
  • your personal information to be deleted
  • processing of your personal information is restricted
  • a copy of your information in a format that allows easy transfer (‘data portability’)

If you want to exercise these rights, or have any concerns about the use of your personal information, please contact UCAS’ Data Protection Officer at:

Data Protection Officer
UCAS
Rosehill
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ

Email: datagovernance@ucas.ac.uk

Retention of your personal information

We will hold your personal information to provide you with advice in respect of your study options. If you withdraw your consent to use your personal information for the purposes outlined in this privacy notice, we will delete your personal information. In any case, we will delete personal information held by no later than 31 January 2020.

What if I use other UCAS services?

This information applies to our use of your personal information to provide you with advice about possible options for studying in the UK and transferring to a UK based university or college. If you decide to use other UCAS services, such as applying to higher education or attending a UCAS Event, your personal information will be processed in accordance with UCAS’ privacy policy