Saudi Arabia has made impressive progress in academic publishing, with many of its journals now recognized globally through indexing in Scopus, one of the largest and most trusted abstract and citation databases. Whether you're pursuing a degree, applying for promotion, or contributing to regional knowledge, understanding which Saudi journals are Scopus-indexed — and how to publish in them — is essential.
Saudi journals are an excellent option for:
Postgraduate students (Master’s and PhD) who need a Scopus publication to graduate.
Faculty members seeking publication for academic promotion.
Researchers working on topics that are relevant to Saudi society, culture, or scientific challenges.
Scholars looking for faster publication timelines in journals with regional focus.
Those who prefer or need to publish in Arabic-English bilingual or Saudi-led journals.
Yes, publishing in Scopus-indexed Saudi journals is generally recognized and accepted for:
Graduation requirements at Saudi universities, especially for thesis-based postgraduate programs.
Academic promotions in Saudi institutions, where Scopus-indexed publications are often required or highly valued.
Research funding eligibility and participation in academic evaluation frameworks.
However, it’s always best to check your institution’s specific rules, especially regarding which quartiles (Q1–Q4) or indexing databases are accepted.
Yes — researchers in Saudi Arabia can freely publish in international journals, just like scholars anywhere else in the world. There are no restrictions that limit your ability to submit a scientific paper from Saudi Arabia to a journal based in another country.
In fact, many Saudi-based researchers regularly publish in top-tier international journals indexed in:
Scopus
Web of Science (WoS)
PubMed
IEEE Xplore
Springer, Elsevier, Wiley, Taylor & Francis, and more
Your location doesn’t matter — what matters is the quality and relevance of your research to the journal’s scope.
Most international journals welcome submissions from global researchers, including those based in Saudi Arabia.
You can write your paper in English (or the language of the journal), follow the author guidelines, and submit it via the journal’s online system.
If accepted, your work will be visible to an international audience, increasing your research impact and citation potential.
Saudi Arabia has a growing number of peer-reviewed journals indexed in Scopus. These journals cover fields such as:
Medical & Health Sciences
Engineering & Technology
Natural Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics)
Islamic Studies & Humanities
Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
These journals focus on various aspects of medicine, healthcare, and clinical research:
Journal Name | ISSN | Publisher | Quartile | Notes |
Saudi Medical Journal | 0379-5284 | Saudi Arabian Armed Forces Hospital | Q3 | General medicine, clinical research |
Annals of Saudi Medicine | 0256-4947 | King Faisal Specialist Hospital | Q3 | Bimonthly, peer-reviewed |
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences | 1319-562X | Elsevier B.V. | Q1 | Life sciences, biology |
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal | 1319-0164 | Elsevier B.V. | Q2 | Pharmacology, pharmaceutical sciences |
It is important to note that some Saudi journals, despite their clear affiliation with Saudi scientific societies, universities, or research centers, appear in databases like Scopus or SJR with India listed as the country of the publisher. This usually happens because these journals use publishing services or partners based in India for their production, online hosting, or distribution.
Journal Name | ISSN | Affiliation/Publisher | Quartile | Notes |
Saudi Journal of Ophthalmology | 1319-4534 | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications | Q3 | Focus on eye health and vision sciences |
Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology | 1319-3767 | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications | Q2 | Digestive diseases research |
Saudi Journal of Kidney Diseases and Transplantation | 1319-2442 | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications | Q3 | Nephrology and transplantation |
Saudi Journal of Anaesthesia | 1658-354X | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications | Q2 | Anesthesia and perioperative medicine |
These journals encompass a range of scientific and engineering disciplines:
Journal Name | ISSN | Publisher | Quartile | Notes |
Journal of King Saud University - Science | 1018-3647 | Elsevier B.V. | Q1 | Multidisciplinary science research |
Journal of King Saud University - Engineering Sciences | 1018-3639 | Springer International Publishing | Q1 | Engineering disciplines |
Journal of King Saud University - Computer and Information Sciences | 1319-1578 | Springer International Publishing | Q1 | Computer science and IT |
Saudi Journal of Chemical Society | 1319-6103 | Springer International Publishing | Q1 | Chemistry research |
These journals focus on agricultural practices, environmental studies, and related fields:
Journal Name | ISSN | Publisher | Quartile | Notes |
Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences | 1658-077X | Springer International Publishing | Q1 | Agricultural sciences research |
Journal of King Abdulaziz University - Marine Science | 1012-8840 | King Abdulaziz University Scientific Publishing Center | Q4 | Marine and environmental sciences |
These journals cover a broad range of topics, including education, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies:
Journal Name | ISSN | Publisher | Quartile | Notes |
Journal of King Abdulaziz University - Islamic Economics | 10187383 | King Abdulaziz University Scientific Publishing Center | Q4 | Focus on Islamic economics and finance |
To check if a Saudi journal is Scopus-indexed and to learn more about:
Website and submission portal
Author guidelines
Publication fees (APCs)
Scope and quartile rank
Publisher and indexing status
Use the following trusted tools:
Click on the “Sources” tab.
Search by journal name or ISSN.
You'll see details like CiteScore, subject category, and Q1–Q4 quartile rank.
Browse or search for any journal.
Find info on journal ranking, subject field, H-index, and country of publication.
Great for comparing journals before submission.
Finding the right journal for your research isn’t always easy — especially when you’re working under pressure or navigating university guidelines for graduation or promotion.
If you're unsure where to begin, SITA Academy can support you in the process. Their team can help:
Recommend Scopus-indexed journals that align with your research area
Match journals based on your institution’s criteria for academic requirements
Guide you through submission steps and final publication
To get started, all you need to do is share your research topic or abstract. From there, you’ll receive a curated list of journal options that fit your subject, goals, and timeline — so you can move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Process of Submitting an Order in SITA Academy
Share Your Research Scope |
Receive Journal List |
Select Your Journal |
Formatting & Submission |