Microsoft 365

One account, no new passwords

The Oxonia Academy ID links to the university's Microsoft sign-in. Staff and students choose the university's button on the sign-in page and sign in as they do every day.

Oxonia does not hold a separate password for them.

Joiners and leavers

When IT creates a Microsoft account for a new member of staff, and an admin gives them a role, they can use Oxonia. When IT closes an account, that person can no longer sign in to Oxonia. The university's existing process stays in charge.

Security settings stay with the university

Many universities already require a second step at sign-in through Microsoft. Because Oxonia uses the university's own sign-in, those rules apply to Oxonia too. See Access controls and 2FA.

Roles in Oxonia

Microsoft confirms who the person is. Oxonia roles decide what they can see: leader, admin, lecturer, student or researcher. Roles are set in the university admin console. See Roles and permissions.

Setting it up

1. An admin opens the university admin console.
2. They choose Microsoft as the sign-in method.
3. The university's Microsoft administrator approves the connection.
4. Staff and students see the university's button on the sign-in page.

Other sign-in options

Universities that use Google accounts can connect Google Workspace. Universities with their own identity provider can use SAML and Shibboleth. A university can use more than one, for example Microsoft for staff and Google for students.

Common questions

Does Oxonia see our Microsoft passwords? No. People sign in on Microsoft's own screen. Oxonia receives confirmation of who they are, not their password.

Can external examiners sign in? External examiners need an account the university can confirm. Your IT team decides how to give them one, and an admin gives them the lecturer role in Oxonia.

Can guardians and sponsors use Microsoft sign-in? Guardians and sponsors who pay fees in Oxonia Wallet do not usually have university accounts. How they sign in is agreed during set-up.

Using Microsoft sign-in also means people do not have to learn a new way in. They see the screen they know, which cuts down calls to the IT service desk in the first weeks.