South Staffordshire Proxy
Quickly access resources off-campus through the South Staffordshire College proxy.
Proxy Bookmarklet
Whenever you are on a site that requires licensed access, click on the "South Staffordshire proxy" bookmarklet. You will be asked to login, and then redirected to the "proxified" version of the site.
What is OpenAthens?
Whether you're studying from home or working abroad, OpenAthens ensures that you can still reach South Staffordshire College’s full range of electronic resources. By signing in with your South Staffordshire account, you get the same access as you would on campus—fast, secure, and hassle-free.
Why use OpenAthens?
Because of publisher restrictions, online academic resources at South Staffordshire College often require users to be on the university network. OpenAthens bypasses that limitation by using your South Staffordshire credentials to authenticate access—so whether you're on campus or not, your access stays the same.
What’s the difference between EZproxy, OpenAthens, and VPN?
EZproxy and VPNs have traditionally been used to simulate on-campus access by rerouting traffic through university IPs. OpenAthens represents a shift away from IP-based models by using a cloud-based authentication system that identifies users individually. This allows OpenAthens to be more flexible and scalable across platforms, and it often requires less maintenance for IT departments. VPNs remain useful for broader internal network access, but for licensed digital content, OpenAthens often provides a more streamlined experience.