Accepted Journals for Promotion 2025: A Guide for Saudi Arabian Academics
A 2025 guide for Saudi researchers on publishing in Scopus, WoS, and PubMed journals approved for academic promotion.
For faculty members and researchers in Saudi Arabia, publishing in accredited journals is essential for academic promotion and career progression. The year 2025 brings updated regulations, preferred databases, and quality indicators that scholars must understand to choose the right journals.
This guide explains which journals are accepted, where to find them, and how to avoid predatory or low-impact publications. Whether you're a new lecturer or an experienced professor, this article will help you align your research publications with Saudi academic standards.
Academic institutions in Saudi Arabia, including universities like King Saud University, Jazan University, and King Abdulaziz University, follow strict criteria when evaluating publications for promotion. These criteria are largely aligned with the Saudi Ministry of Education (MOE) guidelines and the standards set by prominent scientific databases.
A publication in an unrecognized or non-indexed journal may not count toward promotion, no matter how strong the research is. That’s why knowing which journals are accepted is critical.
Most Saudi universities and scientific councils recognize journals indexed in the following reputable databases:
One of the most widely accepted databases for promotions in Saudi Arabia.
Journals must be active and listed under the Scopus Source List.
Researchers can check Scopus indexing via www.scopus.com.
WoS Core Collection, especially journals with an Impact Factor (Science Citation Index or SSCI), is highly valued.
Journals indexed in Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI) may also be considered at certain institutions.
For medical, life sciences, and clinical research, PubMed is often accepted.
Journals must be clearly indexed in Medline or PubMed Central.
Some open-access journals listed here are accepted, but only if they meet additional quality and peer-review criteria.
As of 2025, the MOE in Saudi Arabia mandates that publications used for promotion must meet the following conditions:
Appear in journals with proper peer-review.
Be indexed in one of the approved international databases.
Avoid journals listed on any predatory journal lists.
Show clear author contribution (especially for first or corresponding authorship).
Include ethical declarations and institutional affiliations.
Some institutions also require that at least one publication be in a Q1 or Q2 ranked journal in Scopus or WoS.
To verify if a journal is eligible for promotion:
Visit the Scopus Source List: https://www.scopus.com/sources
Use Clarivate’s Web of Science Journal Finder: https://mjl.clarivate.com
Search PubMed journals: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nlmcatalog
Always ensure the journal is not discontinued or under review for delisting.
Predatory Journals: These are often misleading, have rapid acceptance timelines, charge high fees, and lack real peer review.
Fake Indexing Claims: Some journals falsely claim to be indexed in Scopus or WoS. Always verify through the official indexing sites.
Choosing Based on Cost: Avoid selecting a journal solely based on low APC (Article Processing Charges). Quality and indexing matter more for promotion.
Here are examples of reliable, indexed journals in fields commonly pursued by Saudi researchers:
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (Scopus, WoS)
Journal of Infection and Public Health (PubMed, Scopus)
BMJ Open (PubMed, Scopus, WoS)
IEEE Access (Scopus, WoS)
Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering (Scopus)
Sensors (WoS, Scopus)
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Scopus, WoS)
Heliyon (Elsevier) – widely accepted across disciplines
At SITA Publishing Services, we assist Saudi faculty and researchers with:
Identifying eligible journals based on promotion criteria
Formatting and proofreading manuscripts
Index verification (Scopus, WoS, PubMed)
Communication with journal editors
Assisting in Getting Acceptance and Promotion
If you're unsure whether your journal qualifies for academic promotion, we can review it for you and provide a detailed evaluation report.
Process of Submitting an Order in SITA Academy
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Formatting & Submission |
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