The True Cost and Timeline of Publishing in Scopus Journals
Discover the true cost and timeline of publishing in Scopus journals in 2025. Learn about journal quartiles, open access fees, submission timelines, and professional support services to get your research published efficiently.
Being published in Scopus-indexed journals is increasingly recognized as a mark of research excellence worldwide. In many countries, including:
Brunei, Oman, Italy, Macao, Qatar, Portugal, Greece, United Arab Emirates, Latvia, Saudi Arabia, Chile, Hong Kong, Slovakia, Peru, Iraq, Indonesia, Jordan, Botswana, Ecuador, Albania, Morocco, Kazakhstan, Fiji, China, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Thailand, Tunisia, Serbia, Colombia, Azerbaijan, North Macedonia, Lebanon, Armenia, Gabon, Bulgaria, Philippines, Cuba, and Bolivia,
researchers actively aim to publish in Scopus journals to achieve:
Academic promotions
Graduation approvals
Research funding
Global recognition in their respective fields
Their main concerns? Costs and timelines. Many want to know: How much does it cost to publish in a Scopus journal? How long does it take to get accepted and published?
This article answers these questions, explains the true cost and timeline of Scopus publications, and shows how professional support can simplify the process.
Introduction to Scopus Journals
The Scopus database is one of the world’s largest abstract and citation databases, covering thousands of academic journals across disciplines. Managed by Elsevier, Scopus journals undergo strict evaluation to ensure quality, peer review, editorial standards, and ethical publishing.
Academic researchers, including those pursuing a Professor rank, often rely on Scopus publications to advance their careers. Tools like Google Scholar and ResearchGate help authors track citations, but Scopus remains a key benchmark for academic recognition.
Scopus journals cover virtually every field, including:
Sciences & Engineering (Engineering field, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, IEEE-covered fields)
Medicine & Life Sciences
Arts & Humanities
Social Sciences
The True Cost of Publishing in Scopus Journals (2025)
Publishing in Scopus-indexed journals involves various costs, and understanding them upfront can help you plan your research publication efficiently. Costs are influenced by the journal’s quartile ranking, access model, manuscript length, and additional services.
1. Journal Quartile
Scopus journals are divided into Q1–Q4 based on impact:
Q1 journals: Top 25% — highly prestigious and more expensive.
Q2/Q3 journals: Mid-tier journals — moderate costs, still highly credible.
Q4 journals: Lower-ranked journals — suitable for newer researchers, most affordable.
2. Open Access vs Subscription
Open Access journals require Article Processing Charges (APCs) to make your article freely available, typically €200–€1,500+, depending on the journal and quartile.
Subscription-based journals usually have no publication fee, but your work is only accessible to subscribers.
3. Page Limit & Color Figures
Standard page limits are usually included in the base fee.
Extra pages beyond the limit may cost €50–€300 per page.
Printing color figures can cost €50–€200 per figure.
4. Submission Fees
Some journals charge a submission fee to cover the initial review process, generally ranging from €50–€200.
5. Additional Services
Enhancing your manuscript before submission can increase acceptance chances:
Plagiarism check and removal: €50–€150
Formatting to journal guidelines: €50–€100
Native English editing: €100–€300
Tip: Many universities in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Hong Kong provide partial or full APC coverage for high-impact journals, reducing the financial burden on authors.
Estimated Costs Table
Factor | Details / Description | Estimated Cost (€) |
Journal Quartile (Q1) | Top 25% journals (highest prestige, often open access) | 2,000 – 5,000+ |
Journal Quartile (Q2) | Second quartile (strong mid-tier journals) | 800 – 2,000 |
Journal Quartile (Q3) | Third quartile (moderate-impact journals) | 400 – 1,200 |
Journal Quartile (Q4) | Bottom 25% journals (lower-ranked, newer journals) | 125 – 800 |
Open Access (APC) | APC for open-access publication | +200 – 1,500 |
Subscription (No APC) | Traditional model – no author fee | 0 |
Standard Page Limit | Base page allowance | 0 |
Extra Pages | Pages beyond journal’s free limit | 50 – 300 per extra page |
Color Figures | Printed color figure charges | 50 – 200 per figure |
Submission Fee | Charged by some journals at submission | 50 – 200 |
Plagiarism Check | Pre-submission plagiarism screening | 50 – 150 |
Formatting Service | Professional formatting to journal guidelines | 50 – 100 |
English Language Editing | Native-English editing for clarity and readability | 100 – 300 |
Key Takeaway: Publishing costs vary depending on the journal, quartile, and required services. Higher-ranked journals and open access usually increase costs, while subscription-based and lower-quartile journals are more affordable. Always check the journal’s official guidelines and consider institutional support before submitting.
Timeline of Publishing in Scopus Journals
Publishing timelines vary depending on the journal, editor workload, and peer review process.
Typical Timeline
Initial Desk Review: 1–3 weeks
Peer Review: 2–6 months
Revisions & Resubmission: 1–3 months
Final Acceptance to Online Publication: 2–8 weeks
Average total: 6–12 months
Some journals offer Fast Track or Accelerated Review for a fee, reducing the process to 2–4 months.
How to Find Out a Journal’s Acceptance Timeline
Check the journal’s “Instructions for Authors” section.
Review previous publications in the Engineering field or related discipline.
Use Scopus Search and Publons to see peer review experiences.
Contact the editorial office directly if timelines aren’t available.
Scopus Journal Selection and Publication Services at SITA Academy
Selecting the right journal can be overwhelming. At SITA Academy, we provide end-to-end support for researchers worldwide.
How Our Journal Selection Works
Submit your paper and indexing requirements – specify if you need Q1/Q2, Engineering field, or specific Scopus coverage.
Expert analysis and matching – we identify the most relevant journals based on your paper’s content and goals.
Formatting, submission, and publication handling – we manage all technical aspects and communication with editors.
Additional Services
Plagiarism checking and removal
Native English editing for better readability
Assistance with formatting figures, tables, and references
Converting your thesis into publishable Scopus papers (If you don't have a ready paper)
Pro Tip: A professional approach improves your chances of acceptance, ensures compliance with Scopus standards, and accelerates publication.
Conclusion
Publishing in Scopus journals is essential for researchers aiming for academic promotion, global recognition, or funding. While costs and timelines vary based on journal quartile, open access, submission fees, and additional services, understanding these factors allows better planning.
