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OJS for EveryoneThe Practical GuidebookRSYN Research LLP

Accessing Subscription Content

Some OJS journals operate on a subscription model, restricting full-text access to paying readers or institutional members. This page explains how to identify restricted content, purchase a subscription, and activate institutional or promotional access.

Recognising Subscription-Only Content​

When a journal requires a subscription, restricted articles are marked in several ways:

IndicatorMeaning
Lock icon next to the article title or galleyFull text requires a subscription
"Purchase access" or "Subscribe" button on the article pageIndividual article or issue purchase available
Abstract visible but no galley linksFull text hidden; only metadata is free
"Restricted" label in the table of contentsThe entire issue or section is behind a paywall
Open Access articles within subscription journals

Many subscription journals make some articles open access (e.g., funded research). These are labelled with an open lock icon or an Open Access badge and can be downloaded freely.

Purchasing an Individual Subscription​

If the journal offers individual subscriptions:

  1. Log in (or create an account first)
  2. On the journal homepage, click Subscribe or navigate to About → Subscriptions
  3. Review the available subscription types (e.g., Online only, Print + Online, Institutional)
  4. Click the subscription type you want to purchase
  5. Complete the payment form — OJS supports manual invoicing and (with plugins) PayPal and other gateways
  6. After payment confirmation, your account is upgraded and subscription content becomes accessible immediately
tip

Individual subscriptions are usually calendar-year or rolling 12-month. Note the expiry date shown in User Menu → View Profile → Subscriptions.

Accessing via Institutional Subscription​

Many universities and libraries purchase site-wide licences. Access is granted automatically based on your IP address:

  1. Connect to your institution's network or use your institution's VPN
  2. Visit the journal — no login is required in most cases
  3. Lock icons disappear and galley links become clickable

If off-campus access does not work:

  • Confirm your institution holds a subscription (check with your library)
  • Ensure you are connected through the institutional VPN
  • Contact the journal's subscription manager (listed under About → Contact)
note

IP-authenticated access does not require an OJS account. However, logging in while on the institutional network can sometimes resolve edge cases where IP detection fails.

Activating a Subscription Using a Code​

Some journals distribute promotional or complimentary access codes (e.g., for conference delegates or author courtesy copies):

  1. Log in to OJS
  2. Go to User Menu → View Profile
  3. Click the Subscriptions tab (if visible) or navigate to About → Subscriptions → Activate with Code
  4. Enter the code in the Subscription Code field
  5. Click Activate
  6. A success message confirms the subscription type and expiry date
tip

Codes are case-sensitive. Copy and paste from the email rather than typing manually to avoid errors.

Delayed Open Access​

Some subscription journals operate a delayed open access (embargo) model: content is restricted for a set period (e.g., 12 or 24 months) and then released freely.

StatusDescription
EmbargoedWithin the embargo window — subscription required
Open Access (delayed)Embargo period has passed — freely available

To check whether an article will become freely available:

  1. Note the article's publication date
  2. Review the journal's Open Access Policy (usually under About → Policies)
  3. Add the embargo length to the publication date to estimate the open access date
info

Delayed open access content is unlocked automatically by OJS — no action is needed from readers once the embargo expires.

Further Reading​