Athens Password

The Athens Access Management system provides users with single sign-on to numerous web-based services throughout the UK and overseas.

Access to online databases and electronic journals

Information about access to each online database and electronic journal title is given in the list of titles.

For general information on access routes see the Guide to access routes for electronic resources.

A number of the Library's online databases and electronic journals provide two authentication routes. These services provide on-campus access through recognition of a workstation's IP address within the cam.ac.uk domain and are available off-campus via personal ATHENS accounts. Where off-campus access is available for a database this is indicated under 'Access route' in the indexes of titles.

How do I get my Athens password reset?

All requests for assistance with lost ATHENS usernames and passwords should be emailed to lib-athens@lists.cam.ac.uk.

  1. Please confirm that you have completed an application for an ATHENS account. If we have no evidence of a signed form, you may be asked to re-register.

  2. If you can remember your personal ATHENS userid - the first element starting with cam - but have forgotten your password then please quote your userid along with the following: your full name, department/institute, University status (staff, postgraduate, undergraduate, visiting scholar). If you have forgotten both, don't panic, just provide all the other details. You will not be asked for your password – neither the University Library or ATHENS will ever ask you to verify your personal password and it should remain completely confidential.

  3. Note that resetting passwords is done manually and we cannot guarantee how soon you will get a reply. All requests will be dealt with as soon as possible.



Who is eligible for an Athens password?

Passwords are issued to current students, teaching, research or administrative staff of the University of Cambridge on condition that individuals observe the terms and conditions of ATHENS and those of individual services.

Applicants should present a photo-id, preferably a valid University Card, when requesting an ATHENS password.

Passwords are not issued to members of other Universities, alumni of the University, members of the Research Councils, the National Health Service or other research institutions wholly outside the University, or to individuals engaged in commercial activity provided access to University facilities.

Most categories of user will be asked to create a personal ATHENS account at the ATHENS website http://www.athens.ac.uk.

You should not share the details of your personal ATHENS account with anyone else.

Certain categories of patron such as Visiting Scholars will be issued ATHENS access accounts which provide access to ATHENS authenticated services within the "cam" IP domain only and which cannot be used to create personal accounts.

For further information on passwords or authentication contact Reader Services staff as listed above or e-mail: lib-athens@lists.cam.ac.uk.

Obtaining a password

ATHENS passwords are administered and issued in person only from Reader Services staff at:

  • University Library, Reading Room
  • Central Sciences Library (City Centre) 
  • Medical Library (Addenbrooke's Site) 
  • Betty and Gordon Moore Library (West Cambridge) 
  • Computer Office (Room S7/S8), Law students only

We are unable to issue passwords by e-mail or telephone. An application form can be downloaded for completion in advance and submitted at one of above libraries.