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Civil Service Government Skills service cookies policy

Published 16 September 2025

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-government-skills-service-cookies-policy/civil-service-government-skills-service-cookies-policy

This cookies policy explains how the Government Skills Campus (GSC), and its ancillary systems, use cookies and similar technologies. 

What cookies are

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your computer or mobile device when you visit a website. They are widely used to make websites work more efficiently. They also provide information to the owners of the site. Cookies can remember your preferences, keep you signed in, and help us understand how you use the GSC.

How we use cookies

We use cookies for various purposes within the GSC. They enhance your learning experience and ensure the proper functioning of the service. These purposes include:

Authentication

To identify you when you sign into the GSC, so you do not have to re-enter your details every time you navigate to a new page.

Session management

To maintain your session as you move through the GSC to ensure a seamless experience. For example, tracking your progress in a course.

Preferences

To remember your preferences and settings for future visits. For example, language or display options.

Security

To help detect and prevent malicious activities and make sure your account and the GSC are secure.

Performance and analytics

To collect anonymous information about how users interact with the GSC. For example:

  • which pages are visited most often
  • the time spent on certain pages
  • any errors encountered

This helps us improve the GSC’s performance and usability.

Types of cookies we use

The cookies used on the GSC are:

Strictly necessary cookies

These cookies are essential for the GSC to function correctly. They enable core functionalities like security, network management and accessibility. Without these cookies, the GSC cannot provide basic services.

Functionality cookies

These cookies allow the GSC to remember choices you make, such as your user name, language, or the region you are in. They provide enhanced, more personal features.

Performance/analytics cookies

These cookies collect information about how you use the GSC. For example, which pages you visit and if you experience any errors. This data is aggregated and anonymous. We use it to improve how the GSC works.

Third-party cookies

In some cases, we may also use third-party cookies. These are cookies placed by domains other than GSC. For example, if we embed content from a third-party service (like a video player) within a course. That service may set its own cookies. We do not control these third-party cookies. Their use is subject to the privacy policies of the third-party providers.

Most web browsers accept cookies automatically. You can usually change your browser settings to decline cookies if you prefer. Disabling strictly necessary cookies may prevent the GSC from working correctly. Some features may not be available.

You can normally find these settings in the “options” or “preferences” menu of your browser. 

The GSC deems all of the cookies listed to be needed for the running of the service. This includes both those that are “strictly necessary” and those that offer “functionality”. Disabling those cookies is not advised.

Changes to this cookies policy

We may update this cookies policy from time to time to reflect:

  • changes in our practices 
  • other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons

Any changes will be posted on this page. New users will be prompted to give their preferences when they next access the GSC.

Contact us

If you have any questions about our use of cookies, please contact the Government Skills Campus team: gsc@cabinetoffice.gov.uk  

Last updated: 16 September 2025

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