Plain-English summary: We collect the information needed to process your purchase and deliver your study materials. We do not sell your data. We do not send marketing emails unless you opt in. You have the right to see, correct or delete your data at any time.
1. Who We Are
The Engineering University is operated by Darren Emery (trading as The Engineering University). For data protection purposes, Darren Emery is the data controller.
Contact: hello@theengineeringuniversity.com
This policy explains how we collect, use and protect personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
2. What Data We Collect
When you make a purchase
- Your name and email address
- Billing address (collected by our payment processor)
- Payment card details (processed directly by our payment provider — we never see or store card numbers)
- Your order history and the products you have purchased
When you browse the website
- IP address and approximate location (country/region)
- Browser type, device type and operating system
- Pages visited, time on site, referring website
- This data is collected via analytics cookies — see our Cookie Policy
When you contact us
- Your name, email address and the content of your message
3. How We Use Your Data
We use your personal data only for the following purposes:
- To fulfil your order — processing payment, providing access to your study materials, and sending order confirmation. Legal basis: performance of a contract.
- To manage your account — maintaining your access to purchased content, responding to support queries. Legal basis: performance of a contract.
- To improve the website — understanding how visitors use the site so we can make it better. Legal basis: legitimate interests.
- To comply with legal obligations — maintaining financial records as required by HMRC. Legal basis: legal obligation.
- To send you updates — only if you have opted in to receive emails about new study materials or site updates. Legal basis: consent. You can unsubscribe at any time.
4. Who We Share Your Data With
We do not sell, rent or trade your personal data. We may share data with the following third parties where necessary:
- Payment processor — to process your payment securely.
- Email delivery provider — to send your order confirmation.
- Analytics provider — aggregated, anonymised usage data.
- Legal or regulatory authorities — where required by law.
All third-party providers are required to handle your data securely and in accordance with applicable data protection law.
5. How Long We Keep Your Data
- Purchase records: 7 years (HMRC requirement).
- Account data: Active account plus 12 months after closure.
- Support messages: Up to 2 years.
- Analytics data: Typically 26 months.
- Marketing consent: Until you withdraw consent or unsubscribe.
6. Your Rights Under UK GDPR
You have the following rights in relation to your personal data:
- Right of access — request a copy of your personal data.
- Right to rectification — ask us to correct inaccurate data.
- Right to erasure — ask us to delete your data in certain circumstances.
- Right to restrict processing — limit how we use your data.
- Right to data portability — request your data in a machine-readable format.
- Right to object — object to processing based on legitimate interests.
- Right to withdraw consent — withdraw at any time where processing is consent-based.
Email us at hello@theengineeringuniversity.com. We will respond within 30 days.
7. Cookies
We use cookies to make the website function correctly and to understand how it is used. See our Cookie Policy.
8. Security
We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data. All payment processing uses industry-standard encryption. We do not store payment card details.
9. Your Right to Complain
You have the right to complain to the ICO:
Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Website: ico.org.uk
Helpline: 0303 123 1113
We would always prefer to resolve concerns directly — please email hello@theengineeringuniversity.com first.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The date at the top shows when it was last revised. Continued use of the website constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.