How to manage cookies

Here's a reminder of what cookies are and why they can be useful - together with instructions for disabling them via your web browser if you choose.

(Updated 30 July 2014)

If cookies aren't enabled on your computer, it will mean that your browsing or shopping experience on our - and other - websites will be limited. Some active content, movies and online shopping baskets, for example, may not work correctly.

What are cookies?

Cookies are most often small text files that websites may put on your computer or mobile device while you’re browsing. They're used for many different purposes. For example, they can:

• help search engines remember that you want your search results in English
• help a website remember your preferences so that you don’t need to customise it every time
• help websites to deliver a better service by showing you the content most relevant to you
• identify and resolve errors
• analyse how well a website is performing.

The most common function of cookies is to remember bits of information that help make browsing the web easier and more hassle-free for you.

Here is an example of a cookie:

The cookie explained

• Name = The name of the cookie
• Value = The piece of information that the cookie is created to store
• Domain = The website where the cookie is used
• Expires = The date when the cookie will be deleted from your web browser.

All modern browsers have tools to help you delete or block cookies. But it’s important to remember that many websites – including Pearson’s websites - need cookies in order to function properly. By deleting or blocking cookies, you could also block certain personalised features and you may not be able to take full advantage of some of the website's features.