The Ultimate Guide to Publishing in OJSS (Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship)

If you’re a high schooler interested in research, you probably know about how prestigious a research publication is early on. Completing (and publishing) a research paper as a high school or early undergraduate student is a huge milestone. Publishing that work takes it a step further by turning a school project into a genuine academic contribution. For most first-time researchers, the hardest part is not writing the paper, but figuring out which journals are credible, appropriate, and accessible at this stage.

How should I publish my research in high school?

There are many different journals that accept research from high school students, each with varying levels of selectivity, scope, and expectations. Choosing the right one depends on your field, the type of paper you’ve written, and your academic goals.

If you’re a high school student searching for a journal that’s open to research across a wide range of disciplines, the Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS) is one worth paying close attention to.

In this blog, we’ve carried out an in-depth review of the OJSS, publishing in the journal as a high school student, the journal’s scope to the submission and review process, so you can approach publication with clarity and confidence.

What is OJSS?

The Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS) is a selective, peer-reviewed journal for high-quality secondary-school research in the sciences, humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis on rigorous argumentation and original scholarship.

OJSS accepts submissions from students across all academic disciplines, including the sciences, humanities, social sciences, economics, engineering, and interdisciplinary fields. This broad scope makes it a strong option for students whose research does not fit neatly into a single subject area.

The journal is managed by an international editorial board made up of students and academics, and relies on a formal peer review process to assess submissions and maintain high academic standards.

If you’re wondering how a research publication can be helpful in high school, having your work published in OJSS gives you early experience with academic publishing while building a strong research credential that can strengthen college applications, resumes, and future academic opportunities.

Who should consider publishing in OJSS? How does it stand out?

The Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS) is a strong publication option for motivated middle school, high school, and undergraduate students who want to share their academic work in a peer reviewed journal. It is designed to support student researchers at different stages and across a wide range of academic interests.

OJSS is well suited for students who have completed a structured research paper and are interested in gaining early experience with academic publishing. This means it’s a good option if you are  working on independent research, school based projects, or externally mentored research (with programs like Lumiere).

One of the key strengths of OJSS is its broad disciplinary scope. The journal accepts submissions from all academic fields, including STEM, humanities, social sciences, economics, and interdisciplinary studies. This makes it a flexible option for students whose research does not fit neatly into a single subject specific journal.

How selective is OJSS? Is it a prestigious journal?

The Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS) is regarded as a prestigious student research journal and a strong publication option for motivated middle school, high school, and undergraduate students. Based on student outcomes and submission trends, the estimated acceptance rate is around 40 to 50 percent, making OJSS moderately selective.

This level of selectivity means the journal remains accessible to student researchers while still maintaining clear academic standards through a formal peer reviewed process.

Why is OJSS a prestigious journal for high school students?

At the student level, prestige is defined by academic rigor and credibility. Publishing in OJSS shows that a student has successfully completed the full academic publishing process, from submission to peer review to revision.

For college admissions officers and academic programs that view research publication positively, a publication in a journal like OJSS can signal:

• Strong editorial board with members from Oxford and other top global universities

• Compliance with rigorous peer-review process aligned with professional academic standards

• Ability to conduct independent, original research and synthesize academic literature at a college level

• Demonstrated critical thinking, revision skills, and academic maturity through the full publishing process

Types of Papers Accepted by OJSS

OJSS has a focused submission scope and accepts only two types of papers:

• Original research papers, including experimental, empirical, or analytical studies

• Literature review papers, which synthesize existing research and present clear, well supported insights

Formatting and Submission Guidelines for OJSS

To be considered for publication in the Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS), you must follow the journal’s formatting and submission requirements carefully. Adhering to these guidelines helps avoid delays during the review process.

General Requirements

Abstract Each submission must begin with an abstract of 150 to 300 words summarizing the research question, methodology, and main conclusions.

Length Most OJSS papers range between 2,000 and 8,000 words, though exceptions may be considered in special cases.

Citations OJSS accepts any standard academic citation style, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. The chosen style must be used consistently throughout the paper.

Writing Quality Submissions should be formal, clearly structured, and free of plagiarism.

Formatting Guidelines

Papers should be written in a readable font such as Times New Roman or Arial, 12 point size, and double-spaced. Clear section headings, such as Introduction, Methods, Discussion, and Conclusion, should be used. Numbered pages are encouraged.

Figures and tables must be clearly labeled and referenced within the text.

Title Page Requirements

All submissions must include a title page with the following details:

• Paper title in bold, 16 to 18 point font, written in title case

• Author’s full name

• School name and grade level, or year of study if undergraduate

• Contact email address

Optional information includes a mentor or advisor’s name and the program the paper was written for.

How much does publication in the OJSS cost? How long will it take to publish my paper?

The Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship (OJSS) uses an Article Processing Charge model to support editorial review, copyediting, and online publication. There is no fee to submit initially, and costs are incurred only at specific stages of the process.

Article Processing Charges (APC)

Standard Article Processing Charge: $200 This fee covers full editorial review, reviewer feedback, copyediting, and publication if the paper is accepted. The standard review timeline for an initial decision is approximately 8 to 12 weeks. The APC is due only after acceptance.

Fast Track Review Option: $125 OJSS also offers a Fast Track Review option for students working under tight deadlines. This option guarantees a 2 week turnaround for the initial review decision. The Fast Track fee is paid at the time of submission and is non refundable.

Choosing Fast Track Review does not guarantee acceptance. If a paper submitted through Fast Track is accepted, the standard $200 APC will still apply.

Note: The Fast Track option is best suited for students facing application deadlines or time sensitive commitments. However, students with flexible timelines may prefer the standard review process to avoid additional upfront costs.

What does the peer review process at OJSS look like?

The Oxford Journal of Student Scholarship follows a structured, multi stage peer review process designed to maintain academic quality while remaining accessible to student authors. Understanding this process in advance can help students prepare for revisions and timelines.

Step 1: Submission

Students begin by submitting their paper through the official OJSS submission form. At this stage, authors select either the standard review option or the Fast Track review option, depending on their timeline.

Step 2: Editorial Screening

Once submitted, the paper goes through an initial editorial check. The editorial team reviews the submission for:

• Formatting and guideline compliance

• Use of AI generated content

• Plagiarism and citation accuracy

Papers that do not meet basic requirements may be returned to the author for corrections before moving forward.

Step 3: Peer Review

After passing the editorial check, the paper is assigned to a reviewer with relevant academic expertise. The reviewer provides detailed feedback on areas such as clarity, structure, argument strength, use of sources, and overall academic rigor.

Step 4: Revisions and Resubmission

The student reviews the feedback and revises the paper accordingly. This revision stage is a key part of the OJSS publishing process and mirrors how professional academic journals operate.

Once revisions are complete, the updated paper is resubmitted for further evaluation.

Step 5: Decision Notification

After reviewing the revised submission, the editorial team decides whether to:

• Invite further revisions

• Proceed toward acceptance

• Decline the paper

If the paper meets the journal’s academic standards after revisions, it is formally accepted for publication.

This review process allows you to gain hands-on experience with academic publishing while receiving meaningful feedback that strengthens your research and writing skills.

5 Tips to Get Published in OJSS

1. Start with a focused research questionA strong paper begins with a clear and specific question that guides your entire study. Avoid overly broad topics and narrow your focus to something you can explore deeply within the word limit. Well-defined questions make your argument sharper and tend to perform better in peer review.

2. Use strong academic sourcesRely on credible, scholarly sources such as peer-reviewed journals, academic books, and reputable research institutions. These strengthen your analysis and show engagement with existing research. Be consistent with citations and avoid non-academic websites where possible.

3. Follow the guidelines exactlyPay close attention to word limits, formatting, citation style, and abstract requirements. Submissions that don’t follow guidelines may be delayed or returned for correction. Taking the time to review these details reflects professionalism and academic rigor.

4. Provide all required documentsEnsure your submission includes the title page, abstract, figures, tables, and any additional materials requested. Missing components can slow down the review process. A complete submission helps reviewers focus on your research quality.

5. Use the response letter to your advantageAddress every reviewer comment clearly during revisions and explain what changes were made. If you disagree with a suggestion, provide a brief academic justification. This is often your strongest chance to impress the editors and reviewers, and thoughtful response letters can significantly improve acceptance outcomes.

If you’re interested in pursuing independent research, consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4,000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here, check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an A.B. in Statistics. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

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