Privacy Policy
1. Who we are
UNISEARCH INTERNATIONAL provides international education information, application support and student recruitment services.
For privacy questions or requests, contact us at:
info@unisearchinternational.com
2. Personal information we may collect
Depending on how you use our services, we may collect:
- your name and contact details;
- account and login information;
- education history and academic qualifications;
- study preferences and intended destinations;
- university application information;
- communications between you and UNISEARCH;
- university decisions and application updates;
- documents you choose or are required to upload, such as academic records, identification documents, CVs, references and application evidence;
- visa, CAS or immigration-related information where relevant to the service you request.
We may also receive information from universities, education partners, referees or other organisations involved in your application where this is necessary to provide the service you requested.
3. Why we use your information
We may use your information:
- to respond to enquiries;
- to create and administer your student account;
- to understand your academic background and study objectives;
- to identify potentially suitable universities or programmes;
- to prepare, support, submit or track education applications where you instruct or authorise us to do so;
- to receive and communicate university decisions, offers, document requests and next steps;
- to support offer conditions, CAS, visa and enrolment stages where applicable;
- to maintain records of our services and communications;
- to protect our systems and prevent fraud or misuse;
- to comply with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.
4. Lawful bases for processing
The lawful basis we rely on depends on the activity.
We may process personal information because:
- it is necessary to take steps at your request before providing a service;
- it is necessary to provide services you have requested;
- we have legitimate interests in operating, securing and improving our education-support services;
- we must comply with a legal obligation;
- you have given consent where consent is the appropriate legal basis.
Where we rely on consent, you may withdraw your consent at any time. Withdrawal of consent does not affect processing that was lawful before the withdrawal.
5. Sensitive or special-category information
Some applications may involve information that is considered sensitive or special-category personal data.
Please do not provide sensitive information unless it is genuinely required for your application or specifically requested through an appropriate secure channel.
Where special-category personal data is required, we will identify an appropriate legal condition before processing it.
6. Who we may share information with
Where necessary to provide the service you have requested, your information may be shared with:
- universities and higher education institutions;
- authorised education or admissions partners;
- organisations supporting an application where relevant;
- service providers that host or support our website, systems or communications;
- professional advisers;
- public authorities or regulatory bodies where disclosure is required by law.
We do not sell your personal information.
7. International transfers
International education applications may require information to be sent to universities, institutions or service providers outside the United Kingdom.
Where UK data-protection law applies to a restricted international transfer, we will use an applicable lawful transfer mechanism or safeguard where required.
8. How long we keep your information
We keep personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected.
This may include time needed for:
- application support;
- student account administration;
- record keeping;
- security and fraud prevention;
- dispute resolution;
- legal and regulatory obligations.
Retention periods may vary depending on the type of information and the status of an application.
Information that is no longer required should be securely deleted or anonymised.
9. Security
We use administrative and technical measures intended to protect personal information from unauthorised access, loss, alteration or disclosure.
No online service can guarantee absolute security.
You are also responsible for keeping your account password and login credentials confidential.
Please contact us if you believe your account or personal information may have been accessed without permission.
10. Your data-protection rights
Depending on the circumstances and the lawful basis being used, you may have rights to:
- request access to your personal information;
- request correction of inaccurate information;
- request deletion of information in certain circumstances;
- request restriction of processing;
- object to certain processing;
- receive certain information in a portable format;
- withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
To exercise a privacy right, contact:
info@unisearchinternational.com
11. Your right to object
Where we rely on legitimate interests as our lawful basis, you may have the right to object to that processing.
If you wish to object, contact us and explain which processing you object to.
12. Automated decision-making
UNISEARCH INTERNATIONAL does not make university admission, scholarship, visa or immigration decisions.
Those decisions are made independently by the relevant universities, institutions or public authorities.
If we introduce solely automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects, this Privacy Policy will be updated where required.
13. Cookies and technical information
Our website may use essential technical storage or cookies required for security, sessions and core functionality.
If we introduce non-essential analytics, advertising or similar tracking technologies, we will provide appropriate information and choices where required.
14. Complaints
If you have concerns about how we use your personal information, please contact us first so that we can investigate.
Where UK data-protection law applies, you may also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office.
15. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy when our services, systems or legal obligations change.
The latest version will be published on this page with an updated date.