Privacy Notice

Pre-university Global Summer School Privacy Notice

This Privacy Notice explains how we will collect, use and protect your personal data.

The Notice applies to young people participating in the Pre-university Global Summer School, their parents/guardians and international schools outside of the UK.

The University will process your personal data in accordance with UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

What information do we collect?

Prior to application

The Global Experiences team will work with international schools (outside of the UK) to identify small groups of young people to take part in the Pre-university Global Summer School. To be eligible, young people must meet the following criteria:

  • 16 or 17 years old for the duration of the programme
  • Considering applying to university
  • Good academic standing i.e. ‘on track’ to pass their current year of study, with the academic potential to study at Lancaster*
  • Demonstrate English proficiency to B2 level (or equivalent)

*Lancaster University is a highly ranked, global university. For more information about entry requirements for UG study, please visit the LU website: Undergraduate courses - Lancaster University

For more information about the Pre-university Global Summer School and eligibility criteria, please visit the LU website: Pre-University Summer School - Lancaster University

Please note: Once a suitable group of young people have been identified, the Global Experiences team will send a link to the Pre-university Global Summer School Application Form (via a secure online platform, MoveOn) directly to the nominated contact at the international school and they will liaise with young people/their parents to complete the application form.

Application stage

We collect personal information from parents/guardians (about their young person) as part of the application process, such as (but not limited to):

  • First name and surname
  • Date of birth
  • Age (for the duration of the 2-week summer school)
  • Identified gender
  • Sex at birth
  • Country of birth
  • Nationality
  • Address, zip code and country of residence
  • Parent/guardian contact details (email and phone number)
  • Parental permissions for the Pre-university Global Summer School at Lancaster University
  • Name of school (including address, zip code and country)
  • Confirmation of school year
  • Current qualifications
  • Subject preferences for post-16 study
  • Information relating to support needs e.g. disabilities, long-term medical conditions and learning requirements
  • Information about dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances for catering purposes
  • Permission to contact the young person’s international school (to request the supporting documentation outlined below)
  • Permission to share information with the young person’s international school in relation to programme acceptance and outcomes i.e. non-identifiable evaluation data/reports
  • Passport details (image)

We also request explicit consent to hold special category data:

  1. Race and ethnic origin for EDI purposes and evaluation/reporting
  2. Physical and mental health data to make reasonable adjustments to the programme and provide appropriate support

Information from international schools

Once the application form has been completed, the Global Experiences team will email the nominated contact at the international school to request the following supporting documentation (encrypted via password):

  • Academic transcript
  • Proof of English language proficiency

Participation in the Pre-university Global Summer School

Once the application form and supporting documentation has been verified/approved, the Global Experiences team will email parents/guardians directly to offer their child a place on the Pre-university Global Summer School.

If parents/guardians confirm that they want to accept the place and pay the required deposit, they will be asked to complete the Pre-arrival Information and Parental Consent Form (via a secure online platform, MoveOn) to provide the following information about their young person:

  • Emergency contact details
  • Parental consent for photography/video for LU promotional purposes
  • Information related to the provision of IT services, such as IP addresses, usernames, email addresses and other network data

Terms and conditions

Applications to the Pre-university Global Summer School and subsequent enrolment on the programme is subject to specific terms and conditions. These terms and conditions cover:

  1. Application process
  2. Fees
  3. Cancellation (by students, parents/guardians or Lancaster University)
  4. Programme variation
  5. Lancaster University rules
  6. UK law
  7. Personal data
  8. Photography and other media
  9. Passport, visa and travel health
  10. Additional expenses
  11. Complaints and concerns
  12. Confirmation

For more information, please see the full Terms and Conditions.


How is information collected?

There are several collection points to obtain personal information:

  • During discussions with international schools to identify an eligible cohort of young people
  • From parents/guardians during the application process
  • From international schools during the process of obtaining/verifying supporting documentation
  • When young people attend the Pre-university Global Summer School
  • From surveys/questionnaires e.g. evaluation and feedback surveys
  • If a disability or long-term medical condition is declared, we will collect further information about additional support needs and accessibility requirements to make any reasonable adjustments or provide alternative provision
  • Lancaster’s IT infrastructure collects information for the purposes of systems administration. This information is required to provide digital services, and to audit the use of our systems. We only use this information to identify individuals in situations affecting the security of systems or university data, or where it is necessary to enforce compliance with the University's terms of use.

How do we use personal information?

We will only use a young person’s personal data where legally permitted and where it is necessary for our legitimate interests, and where their interests and rights do not override those interests, or where we need to comply with legal or regulatory obligations. The lawful basis for collecting personal data is: Article 6(f) of the UK GDPR – Legitimate Interest.

We use a young person’s personal data to process their application and inform the decision-making process for places on the programme i.e. to confirm their eligibility to take part in the Pre-university Global Summer School.

A young person’s information will also be used for the administration of their place on the Pre-university Global Summer School, so that we are able to provide them with an enriching academic, social and cultural programme, relevant information, and support options. We will also use personal information to monitor and evaluate the Pre-university Global Summer School and associated activities.

We will share information with university staff when there is a justified operational need to do so, this information will be shared so that we can provide young people with appropriate support to participate in the programme.

Who do we share information with?

The University will share personal data with several organisations including:

  • Office for Students (OfS)
  • The nominated contact at the international school
  • External providers (please see below)

Please note: Information relating to dietary requirements, allergies, and intolerances will be shared to provide catering services. We may also share information about disabilities, accessibility and learning requirements with other LU staff, i.e. Accommodation and Guest Services and Disabilities and Inclusive Practice Service to provide appropriate facilities or alternative provision if needed. This information will be kept confidential and shared on a strictly ‘need to know’ basis.

Please note: The Global Experiences team may share personal information with third party providers where there is a legitimate operational need to do so. For example, to make sure that young people can take part in all aspects of the Pre-university Global Summer School programme, including events and activities that take place off-site at other venues (including weekend trips).

Important information – safeguarding and student wellbeing

Upon arrival, a young person will register as a Lancaster University student; this gives them access to the full range of university services available to current LU students for the duration of the two-week summer school. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • Lancaster University Health Centre (additional registration applies)
  • Student Wellbeing Partnership Service
  • Student Mental Health Service
  • Disability and Inclusive Practice Service

Please note: The University will share information between services/LU staff in the context of safeguarding young people and supporting their wellbeing, including protecting young people from risk of harm.

The University will ensure that any data sharing is in line with UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). In many cases, the University does not need to seek consent to share this information. For example, when there is a legal or statutory obligation to provide the information, or where it is necessary for our legitimate interests, and a young person’s interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests.

In emergency situations (i.e. a life-or-death situation, or in the event of a serious medical emergency or safeguarding concern), the University may share personal data, including sensitive personal data with organisations/individuals such as a medical professional, Social Services or the Police Service.

How are online aspects of the Pre-university Global Summer School delivered?

The Pre-university Global Summer School will take place on campus at Lancaster University and other locations in the local area and wider UK (including weekend trips/visits). Activities and events will be delivered in person as per the programme.

Young people will be permitted to use Microsoft Teams for live, real-time engagement and collaboration. Microsoft Teams will also be used in conjunction with the University website, and Lancaster’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) OpenLearning, so that young people can complete individual/group work.

Microsoft Teams is a platform designed for online collaboration. When taking part in the Pre-University Global Summer School, students will be invited to join Microsoft Teams and the associated programme ‘Team.’ To complete this process, we will we use the Lancaster University email address provided at the point of LU registration.

Participant email addresses and names will be visible to other attendees and Lancaster University staff whilst using Microsoft Teams, it is not possible to remove this information. In agreeing to their young person using Microsoft Teams, parents/guardians are agreeing for this information to be visible to others.


Do we transfer data to third party countries?

We may need to share personal data with other organisations based within or outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or UK. For example, the young person’s international school.

With the consent of a young person’s parents/guardians, we will confirm whether an individual has successfully secured a place on the Pre-university Global Summer School. This information is shared so that pre-arrival arrangements can be made i.e. confirm effective supervision. In addition, we will also share non-identifiable data with the international school on programme outcomes/the student experience for evaluation and reporting purposes.

Will Lancaster University contact young people in the future?

Upon completion of the Pre-university Global Summer School, young people will be signposted to further information about UG study at Lancaster via the Lancaster University website. Lancaster University will not contact young people in future, unless the young person makes a specific admissions enquiry.

How do we keep your information secure?

The University has robust Information Security Policies in place to protect personal information. All staff at the University have a responsibility to make sure that data is handled securely.

For further information please refer to the University’s Information Security Policy and Processes.

How long do we keep personal information?

A young person’s record of participation in the Pre-university Global Summer School and associated information will be retained for a maximum of 10 years, and only as long as is necessary.

For further information please refer to the University’s Retention Schedule.

If a young person is not accepted or decides not to complete the Pre-university Global Summer School, we will delete all identifiable information that we hold about them (and their parents/guardians) by the end of the academic year. This includes personal information such as disabilities, accessibility, learning requirements, dietary requirements, allergies and intolerances.

We will only retain a record of the number of young people that applied, the international school they attend and country of residence.


What are the data rights?

Young people (and their parents/guardians) have the following rights regarding personal data:

  • To have access to personal data - for further information see the Subject Access page
  • To have inaccurate or incomplete personal data amended
  • To have personal data deleted – this will only apply when there is no legitimate reason for the University to continue to use personal data
  • To restrict the use of personal data
  • To request personal information in a digital form so that it can be shared with other organisations
  • To object to automated decision making and profiling
  • To withdraw consent when we have used consent as the basis for using your information

The University has further information on Data Subject Rights.

If a young person, parent/guardian wishes to exercise their rights, they are advised to read this information as there are some exceptions to using these rights. For example, it is a statutory duty for the University to send some information to HESA each year. In this case, young people, parents/guardians could not apply to restrict this use of their information.

Any requests to use individual rights to personal data should be made to the University’s designated Data Protection Officer.

What responsibilities do young people or parents/guardians have?

A young person, their parents/guardian is required to read this Privacy Notice when it is presented to them during the application process and subsequent enrolment on the Pre-university Global Summer School. It is important that they do this to understand how we use personal information and their associated rights.

Who do I contact for further information or if I have concerns?

Lancaster University’s designated Data Protection Officer is:

Mike Abbotts, Information Governance Manager

Email: information-governance@lancaster.ac.uk

Phone: 01524 510841

Please contact Mike if you have any concerns or complaints about this Notice or about the way personal data is being used.

Lancaster University is the Data Controller for the personal data that it holds in relation to the Pre-university Global Summer School. The University’s contact details are:

Lancaster University,
Bailrigg,
Lancaster
LA1 4YW
United Kingdom

If a young person, parent/guardian is not happy with the way the University has handled a concern or complaint, they may submit a complaint to the Information Commissioner’s Office.

This Notice has been developed to be compliant with the UK General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). This Notice is regularly reviewed and sometimes updated. It is important that young people, their parents/guardians check for updates to this Notice. If we make significant changes, we will contact individuals to inform them of these updates. This notice was most recently updated in November 2025.