Sanctuary pre-applicants, applicants, students and alumni privacy notice

Please also read the University’s main pre-applicant student notice.

The Sanctuary Seekers’ Unit is part of the University of Leicester, who are the Data Controller for your information. The Data Protection Office can be contacted by email: dpo@leicester.ac.uk 

This Privacy Notice provides information about how the University of Leicester collects and uses your personal information.

What is ‘personal information’?

‘Personal information’ means any information which relates to or identifies you as an individual.

What information are we collecting or using?

Personal information we collect about you will be:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Contact address
• Email address
• Mobile telephone number
• Identification photograph

Information processed by the Sanctuary Seekers’ Unit may include the following ‘special category’ data:

• Ethnic origin
• Health information 

Why are we processing your data?

To process applications for a Sanctuary scholarship. The information you provide allows us to assess your application, check your eligibility and offer you support and guidance throughout your student journey.

We will use your data to for our own administration purposes and for support services offered, such as:

• The provision of English tests
• The provision of English language classes and support activities.

The University of Leicester’s legal basis for collecting this data is: 

Personal data is collected and processed us as necessary for the performance of a contract. 

Sensitive “special category data” will be used only with your explicit consent. This may be details of your ethnicity, sexual orientation, biometric data or information about your health.

Who will my personal information be shared with?

The data collected will not be disclosed to third parties unless you provide your permission for us to do so.

How long will the University of Leicester keep my data?

Prospective students

We will retain your data for 5 years from the date of enquiry.

Registered students

We will retain your data for 6 years from completion of study or last activity.

Testimonials

We will retain your data for 3 years after the date at which you submit your testimonial.

What rights do I have regarding my data?

You have the right to access, correct, or delete your personal data, to object to or restrict how it is used, to request its transfer to another organisation, and to avoid decisions made solely by automated processes.

Some of the above rights are not absolute. If you want to exercise any of the rights described above, please contact the University’s Information Assurance Team via on the email at the end of this notice. 

We will do our best to respond quickly and within the timeframes set out by data protection law. To help us handle your request and improve our services, we may keep a record of our communications with you. 

Complaints to the University

If you are dissatisfied with the way the University have used your information, you should complain to the University’s Information Assurance Team via the email at the end of this notice.

Complaints to the ICO

If you are not satisfied with the way the University has handled your complaint, you also have the right to raise your concerns with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO is an independent authority which oversees how personal data is used. Guidance on how to contact the ICO can be found at www.ico.org.uk  

Changes to this privacy notice

This privacy notice was published in July 2026. If you have any questions about this privacy notice or if you would like to access any of your rights, please contact Information Assurance Services: ias@leicester.ac.uk