Student Lifestyle and Health Survey privacy notice

Information you need to know

The Student Lifestyle and Health Survey is an annual institutional survey disseminated by academics in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, which is part of Liverpool John Moores University. See further information on the institution.

Liverpool John Moores University is the Data Controller.

Our Data Protection Officer can be contacted at DPO@ljmu.ac.uk.

This privacy notice explains how we use your personal information and your rights regarding that information.

For information about how the wider university uses personal data, please see the Privacy notice section of our website.

Information we are collecting

Through the Student Lifestyle and Health Survey, we will invite you to provide general personal data. This may include your:

  • student identification number
  • age
  • level of study
  • entry route to the university
  • school of study
  • accommodation type during term time
  • your UK or international status
  • your home postcode or home country
  • information relating to your financial wellbeing

In addition, survey responses may be linked with information already held by the university to support analysis. This may include:

  • data relating to your academic performance
  • continuation
  • progression and completion

As part of the survey, you may also choose to provide special category personal data. This may include information about your:

  • disability status
  • religion
  • ethnicity
  • sex at birth
  • gender identity
  • whether you identify as transgender
  • your sexual orientation
  • marriage or civil partnership status
  • whether you are care-experienced
  • any caring responsibilities

The survey includes questions relating to health and wellbeing, which may cover your:

  • mental health and general wellbeing
  • experiences of depression
  • stress or anxiety
  • your sense of belonging
  • social connectedness and loneliness

You may also be asked about health-related behaviours, including:

  • smoking and vaping
  • diet
  • alcohol consumption
  • substance use
  • sleep
  • physical activity and sitting
  • participation in university sports teams or clubs
  • gym use and engagement with JMSU activities

Source of the personal data

Most of the personal data processed for the Student Lifestyle and Health Survey is collected directly from you when you complete the survey.

In addition, where relevant and for the purposes of analysis, survey responses will be linked to information already held by the university, such as:

  • data relating to your academic performance
  • continuation
  • progression and completion

This information is drawn from the university’s internal student records.

Why we are collecting your data and the legal basis for this

We process personal data in accordance with the principles of the GDPR and only where there is a valid lawful basis to do so.

The Student Lifestyle and Health Survey is used to help the university better understand factors that influence student wellbeing, engagement and academic outcomes. By analysing these factors, the university can identify where additional support may be needed and develop targeted actions and interventions aimed at improving student outcomes and enhancing the overall student experience.

Participation in the survey is voluntary. Personal data is processed on the basis of your consent, in accordance with Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR.

Some of the information collected through the survey is special category data, including health and equality‑related information. This information is processed on the basis of your explicit consent, in line with Article 9(2)(a) UK GDPR.

Who has access to this data

Your personal data will be accessed only by academic staff who are members of the Student Lifestyle and Health research project, and only where this is necessary for the purposes of analysis and research.

Your personal data will not be shared with third parties outside the university.

How the university protects your data

We are committed to keeping your personal data safe in line with data protection legislation and the university’s information security and data protection policies.

All personal data held by the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences team is held in secure electronic systems.

How long the university keeps your data

In line with the university’s Records Retention Schedule, personal data collected as part of the Student Lifestyle and Health Survey will be retained for 10 years after the completion of the project.

Once the retention period has ended, personal data will be securely deleted or anonymised in accordance with the university’s data protection and records management procedures.

Your rights

As a data subject, you have a number of rights. You can:

  • access and obtain a copy of your data on request - this could be in a portable electronic format
  • request that the university changes incorrect or incomplete data if you think that it is inaccurate or out of date
  • request that the university delete or stop processing your data, for example where the data is no longer necessary or legally required for the purposes of processing

If your personal data has been provided by consent, you have a right to withdraw that consent at any time.

If you would like to exercise any of these rights, please contact the Data Protection Officer at DPO@ljmu.ac.uk.

If you do not provide data

Participation in the Student Lifestyle and Health Survey is voluntary. If you choose not to provide your data, you will not take part in the survey.

Choosing not to participate, or deciding to withdraw from the survey, will not affect your studies, academic record, or access to university services or support.

Transfers of data outside the UK

We normally keep your personal data within the UK. In some cases, however, we may need to transfer it to another country - for example, to deliver a contract with you or to work with a partner organisation such as a university based overseas.

Whenever this happens, we make sure your information stays protected. This could be through a UK “adequacy regulation” (which confirms that the other country’s data protection laws are up to UK standards) or by putting strong safeguards in place.

These safeguards might include:

  • model contractual clauses
  • formal data sharing or processing agreements
  • binding corporate rules

In short, even if your data travels abroad, it will continue to be treated with the same care and respect as it would under UK law.

Automated decision-making

We do not use computers to make decisions about you based solely on your personal data. Any decisions that affect you will always be made by a human, ensuring that you are treated fairly.

How to complain to the university

You have a right to complain to the university if you think it has not properly responded to your request for personal information or feel it has not handled your personal data responsibly.

If you are not satisfied with how your request for information or how your personal data has been handled, you should set out your complaint in writing to:

Maria Burquest
University Secretary and General Counsel
Legal and Governance Services
2nd Floor Exchange Station
Tithebarn Street
Liverpool
L2 2QP

or by email via DPO@ljmu.ac.uk.

How to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office

You have the right to complain to The Information Commissioner if you believe that our processing of your personal data does not meet our data protection obligations. The Information Commissioner can be contacted using the following details:

  • Post: Information Commissioners Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK95AF.
  • Telephone: 0303 123 1113.
  • Email: contact can be made by accessing the ICO website.