The question «how much is worth publication »in Scopus" usually specify in hope to hear one number. One numbers no. Price is being assembled from several lines: translation manuscripts with Kazakh or Russian, editing, collection magazine, taxes, commission bank for currency translation. Some lines required, others depend on from your choice. Below Let's take a closer look every, let's guidelines in in dollars And We show, how recalculate budget in tenge.
How Much Does It Cost to Publish in Scopus: Price, Short Answer, and Breakdown of Costs
Short answer: publication in magazine Scopus maybe be worth from 0 $ (magazine without APC, and English text you cook themselves) to several thousands dollars (magazine Q1 with high APC plus translation And editing). She herself database Scopus money with author for indexing not takes. They pay magazine, if he charges collection, and performers, if you order services.
Budget = preparation manuscripts + official fees magazine + agreed upon services artists + taxes And banking expenses
Separate constituent for indexing in formula no. Therefore cost publications in Scopus consists of only from these lines, and not all they needed to everyone to the author.
| Consumption | Is it mandatory to | Who gets paid? | Currency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation from Kazakh or Russian into English | If the manuscript is not written in English | To a translator or translation agency | ₸ or $ |
| Language and Academic Editing | No, but it reduces the risk of rejection prior to review | To the editor or service | ₸ or $ |
| Submission fee | Only if it was listed in the log | To the Publisher | $, €, £ |
| APC (article processing charge) | Only in journals with an APC | To the Publisher | $, €, £ |
| Additional pages, color illustrations | According to the guidelines of a specific journal | To the Publisher | $, €, £ |
| VAT and Other Taxes | It depends on the publisher's country | Listed on the publisher's invoice | Account Currency |
| Bank Fees and Conversion | Yes, when paying in foreign currency | Bank | ₸ |
| Services Provided: Journal Selection, Support, Turnkey Article | No, based on your decision | Contractor | $ or ₸ |
Which expenses are mandatory, and which are up to the author?
The research, the article itself, and the responses to reviewers are the author’s work, and no one charges for them. The only mandatory costs are the fees specified by the journal in its guidelines for authors and any bank charges incurred during payment. Everything else is optional. Some authors write directly in English and do without translation; others order only editing services; and still others outsource the entire process to a service provider.
People most often make two kinds of mistakes. The first group sets a fee for each stage of the work, even though a stage and a paid service are not the same thing. Others forget about the estimate after the proposal has been accepted, when it’s already too late to back out. That’s why the estimate process begins by asking what you specifically need, rather than relying on someone else’s example.
What are the different types of publication models?
Model access determines, who And for that pays. Below four main option.
| Model | Reader Access | Is APC possible? | What to Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subscription | By subscription or as a one-time purchase | Usually not | Are there any fees for submission, additional pages, or color illustrations? |
| Gold Open Access | Open to everyone immediately upon publication | Often, yes, but not always | Who pays the APC? Are there any discounts or fee waivers? |
| Hybrid | Subscription; select articles are freely available | Yes, if the author chooses open access | What is the price of the option for your article? Is there an agreement with your university? |
| Diamond Open Access | Open to everyone | No | Are there any other fees, and who funds the publication? |
Title models not always transmits all a painting. Gold Open Access not required means, that pays author: APC maybe cover employer, university or agreement publisher with university. In Hybrid open access to separate article usually paid option. Final answer gives only page magazine with terms and conditions for authors.
Expenses Prior to Submission of the Article
More to that, how manuscript will end up in editorial staff, author usually already spends money or time. Paid external service not is requirement editions: they estimate quality text, and not availability check. But weak English And sloppy links often are coming to an end refusal more to peer review.
| Expense Item | When you need | Unit of measurement | Price Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Translation from Kazakh or Russian | The manuscript is not written in English | Words or pages, language pair | Contractor's Price List |
| Language Editing | The text is in English, but it needs editing | Words or pages, depth of edits | Service Pricing, Estimate |
| Scientific Editing | I need someone to review the logic, structure, and terminology. | Hours or amount of text | Approved Budget |
| Formatting Links, Figures, and Tables | The materials do not meet the journal's requirements | Number of items or hours | Contractor's Price List |
| Checking for Plagiarism | Is it a requirement of the journal, or does the author want to check it himself? | A single check or a package | Service Pricing |
| Advice on Choosing a Magazine | The author has not yet decided on a publisher | Hour or package | Consultant Agreement |
For authors from Kazakhstan, translation is often the biggest expense before submission: many manuscripts are written in Kazakh or Russian. Translation is billed by the word or by the page, and the price depends on the language pair and the complexity of the terminology. If the text is in Kazakh, clarify whether the translator will translate directly or via Russian. Both the price and the accuracy of the terminology depend on this. It’s best to order translation and editing after the text has been finalized, because revisions are usually billed separately.
Sometimes a journal charges a submission fee—a fee paid before the editorial board makes a decision. This isn't necessarily a sign of fraud, but you should factor the amount into your budget. It's usually a small amount, but it's non-refundable if the article isn't accepted.
If you're considering Preparation and tracking of an article in Scopus, clarify the scope of work and whether the APC is included in the price. You can select a journal that matches the topic and requirements separately—through Selecting a scientific journal in Scopus.
Expenses Following the Adoption of the Article
Once an article is accepted, there are fees that often catch the author off guard. The main one is the APC (article processing charge), a fee for processing and publishing the article. In open-access journals, this fee covers the cost of open access; therefore, the APC and the open-access fee are a single amount, not two separate charges.
In addition to the APC, the journal may charge extra fees for additional pages or color illustrations. The terms are usually specified in the «Article Processing Charges» or «Publication Fees» sections, and length requirements are outlined in the author guidelines. Taxes, such as VAT (depending on the publisher’s country), are listed on the invoice or the payment page. If the amount on the invoice differs from the amount listed on the journal’s website—even slightly—you should contact the editorial office before making the payment.
Publishers exhibit accounts in in dollars, euro or pounds. Kazakhstani bank will copy tenge by his own course on date translation And will add commission for international payment. Between adoption articles And payment may go through weeks, and course for this is time is changing. The Difference in a few percent on total in a thousand dollars already noticeable, therefore set aside in cost estimate stock 5–10%. The exact commission for translation Please clarify in his own bank in advance.
Proofreading, DOI, and indexing not are standard separately payments author. If in on the account appeared items, of whom no in rules magazine, please ask publisher in writing explain every to payments.
APC Guidelines by Apartment Type
To to present order amounts, below guidelines APC for magazines Scopus various quartiles. Nearby specified percentile CiteScore, because that exactly his in Kazakhstan often require along with with quartile.
| Quartile | CiteScore Percentile | APC Rate per Article, USD |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 75–99 | 1,000–5,000 |
| Q2 | 50–74 | 800–2,000 |
| Q3 | 25–49 | 300–1,000 |
| Q4 | 0–24 | 100–500 |
Approximate ranges by assessment commands Academies articles. This not rates bases And not boundaries market: specific APC maybe to be below or above. Amounts listed in in dollars; in tenge Recalculate by course bank on date payments.
This only APC, without translation, support And others expenses. Quartile himself by to oneself not determines price: in one quartile occur magazines without APC and magazines with APC in a few thousands dollars. In addition to that, quartile always tied to metric, subject-specific categories And year, and SJR, CiteScore and JCR — various indicators. Read more about that volume, What is the Scopus journal percentile? And How do percentiles differ from quartiles?, we wrote separately. Nearby with each the amount Write it down, on which date and with which website she taken: publishers are reviewing rates every year, and sometimes And more often.
How much does it cost to publish in Web of Science?
Price publications in Web of Science, how And price publications in WoS in overall, depends on from magazine, and not from databases. Company Clarivate, which leads Web of Science, not takes with authors money for indexing. Unified rate nets «price WoS» not there is, therefore compare need to specific magazines: them APC, model access And additional fees.
What affects on price publications in Web of Science:
| Factor | How does this affect the cost? |
|---|---|
| Indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (SCIE, SSCI, AHCI, or ESCI) | When it comes to submission requirements, it is often not just «WoS» that matters, but a specific index. Journals in leading indexes are typically more competitive, the peer-review process takes longer, and APCs in open-access journals are often higher |
| JCR Quartile | The quartile in WoS is determined based on the JCR, not the SJR or CiteScore. A single journal’s quartiles in Scopus and WoS may not match, so be sure to compare using the database that is relevant to your needs. |
| Access Model | APC fees are often not charged for subscription-based journals, but under the Gold Open Access model, they can account for the bulk of the budget |
| Publisher | Major publishers publish their price lists publicly; for smaller magazines, you'll need to check with the editorial office for details. |
| Volume and Layout | Additional pages, color illustrations, and language editing increase the total cost |
If a journal is indexed in both Scopus and WoS, There is no such thing as a “double APC”: the author pays the publisher once for a single publication. The difference between the databases concerns the journal’s status and its metrics—that is, the choice of publication—rather than a separate payment. In practice, many journals that meet the Web of Science requirements are also included in Scopus, which allows for selection in both databases. For more details on the differences, see the article What are the differences between Scopus and Web of Science?.
How to check a WoS journal before paying. Check the journal’s status and index in the Master Journal List on the Clarivate website, and the quartile in the JCR for the relevant year. Take the APC amount and currency only from the journal’s website, not from emails or announcements. If a journal claims to be «in Web of Science» but isn’t listed in the Master Journal List, it’s not worth paying.
Time is money, too. Peer review takes longer in high-impact journals, and the tenge exchange rate fluctuates over those months. If you need to publish by a specific date, be sure to factor in both the time required and a buffer for exchange rate fluctuations when planning.
The APC benchmarks for WoS journals are comparable to those of Scopus journals at the same level, but there is significant variation within a single quartile. If you need article in Web of Science, the cost for your topic and the required quartile is calculated on a case-by-case basis. A more affordable option is— Co-authorship on Web of Science articles.
APC and Free Journals: When You Don't Have to Pay a Journal
It is possible to publish an article in Scopus for free—that is, without paying a journal fee. This is how Diamond Open Access journals operate, as well as many subscription-based journals where readers and libraries cover the publisher’s costs. The filter in the DOAJ catalog helps you find journals without APCs, and you can check a journal’s status in Scopus through our service Scopus journal reviews.
But «free» simply means there’s no APC—it doesn’t mean the budget is zero. Translation, editing, formatting, and your time still have to be accounted for. Even in journals without an APC, there are sometimes other fees, such as a submission fee. Furthermore, high-impact free journals receive a large number of manuscripts, so competition and turnaround times are typically higher. If you need the publication for your dissertation defense, this is just as important to consider as the cost.
Discounts, waivers, and payment by the university or a grant
Many publishers offer waiver programs—full or partial exemptions from APCs. However, each publisher has its own list of eligible countries, and Kazakhstan is not always included. Therefore, you shouldn’t count on an automatic discount: be sure to check the terms and conditions of the specific journal.
- Look for the section on waivers or discounts on the journal's APC page and read about who is eligible and under what conditions.
- Request a discount before or at the time of submission, not after your article has been accepted: many publishers only consider such requests at this stage.
- Check with your university's library to see if it has agreements with publishers under which the university covers all or part of the APC.
- If you are a participant in a grant-funded project, check to see if the project budget includes funds for publication.
None of these options are guaranteed: the decision to offer a discount is made by the publisher.
How much does it cost in Kazakhstan: calculating the budget in tenge
The question «how much is worth scopus in Kazakhstan» boils down to to recalculation currency expenses And addition local.
Budget in ₸ = (APC + collection for submission + other currency payments) × course bank on date payments + commission bank + expenses in tenge (translation, editing, services)
Below three scripts. For clarity taken conditional course 500 ₸ for 1 $ — before by calculation substitute current course his bank And add 5–10% stock.
| Script | What's Included | Foreign Exchange Section, $ | In tenge (at a notional exchange rate of 500 ₸) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | A journal with no APC (Diamond or subscription-based); you either prepare the text in English yourself or order editing services only | 0 $ (a small processing fee may apply) | 0 ₸ + translation and editing at the contractor's standard rate |
| Average | Q3–Q2 journal with APC, translation from Kazakh or Russian, language editing | 300–2,000 $ | 150,000–1,000,000 ₸ + bank fee + transfer fee |
| Tall | Q1 Journal with APC, translation, scientific editing, possible additional fees | 1,000–5,000 $ | 500,000–2,500,000 ₸ + bank fee + translation and editing |
For currency rates, please refer only to the APC guidelines in the table above. Translation and editing costs depend on the length of the text and the service provider.
If Kazakhstani publications are suitable for your purposes, an alternative could be publishing in journals from the KOKSNVO list—the list and categories are available on our the COKSNVO journal catalog.
Budget for a PhD Defense and Academic Title: What to Check
Before you start counting your money, make sure the post will actually be counted. Check the following:
- Current publication requirements as of the date of submission: which databases, what journal tier, and how many articles are required;
- Based on which metric and for which year is the journal's quartile or percentile calculated?;
- the journal's status in the database as of the article's publication date, not just the submission date;
- Requirements for authorship: Does co-authorship count? Is it necessary to be the first author or corresponding author?;
- Timeline: Will the article be published and indexed in time for the defense or the submission of documents?.
Our tool will help you quickly assess whether you have enough publications to defend your thesis. PhD Defense Readiness Calculator.
How much does it cost with the Article Academy?
If you not Would you like to to collect cost estimate by lines, publication it's possible to convey us. Cost and composition works are recorded in in the contract, payment possible in parts.
| Format | Price | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Turnkey Scopus Article | starting at 2,300 $ | I need a topic for my dissertation or research project, requirements regarding the journal's impact factor, and oversight of each stage |
| Co-authorship in Scopus | starting at 460 $ | A reasonable budget and a quick start are important; a ready-made theme related to your field of expertise would be ideal |
| Turnkey Article in the COKSNVO Journal | Starting at 750 $ | I need an article published in a Kazakhstani publication from the list |
| Co-authorship in KOKSNVO | Starting at 250 $ | An affordable option for publishing in a journal from the list |
| Article in Web of Science | on an individual basis | I need a WoS journal with a specific index and quartile |
For co-authored articles, the cost is split among the authors: in Scopus, among five authors; in KOKSNVO, among three. Therefore, a spot in a Scopus article costs 460 $, instead of 2,300 $ for a single article. The price also depends on your position in the list of authors.
We operate under a formal contract; payment can be made in full or in 50/50 installments. Our results guarantee is enshrined in the contract: if a journal rejects the article, we will publish it in another publication of an equivalent caliber.
For more information about our services, see the pages article in Scopus And service prices.
Is it possible to reduce this budget? On November 19, during a free webinar, we’ll discuss realistic options for Kazakhstani researchers and break down specific calculations and conditions under which savings can be achieved.
On webinar you you'll find out:
From what is being assembled cost publications;
Three method to end up in Scopus And how much is worth every;
How request discount or release from payments;
How not to lose money on unreliable magazine.
Gift to the participants: personal calculator costs publications.
Hidden Risks and Additional Fees
Most money problems don't start with large sums of money, but with unclear terms. The most common risks are:
- an opaque estimate that does not make it clear exactly what the author is paying for;
- a fake magazine website or a fake invoice;
- additional charges that were not agreed upon in advance;
- pressure along the lines of «pay today, or you’ll lose your spot»;
- Guarantees are only verbal, with no contract and no terms in case the magazine declines.
A reliable guarantee is one that’s written into the contract. Here’s how ours reads: if a journal rejects the article, it will be published in another journal of an equivalent level. If a service provider promises a result but isn’t willing to put it in writing in the contract, that’s a red flag.
The official magazine subscription fee must be kept separate from the payment to the contractor. The former goes to the publisher according to the rules on its website; the latter goes to the contractor for services rendered under the contract. These should be listed as separate line items in the estimate. If you’re quoted a single «all-inclusive» amount, ask for a breakdown.
Unusual payment details are a reason to verify the recipient, not proof of fraud: publishers often work through payment agents. But scammers copy publishers’ emails and swap out the payment details at the last minute, so check them against the magazine’s official website, not the email itself. A genuine editorial process isn’t rushed: taking a few days to verify details won’t change anything. Keep all correspondence, invoices, and payment confirmations.
Another risk is that the journal could be removed from the database. Before paying, check the journal via Scopus journal verification service and check out The latest list of journals excluded from Scopus.
Pre-Payment Checklist
Before any translation take a look around by list, better with open page magazine nearby:
- The journal's title and ISSN match the information on the official website and in the database itself.
- The official website and publisher have been verified: domain, contact information, no duplicate pages.
- The journal's current status in the database and its indexing period are known, and your article will be included in the indexing period.
- The quartile and percentile values in the log correspond to your requirements for the desired metric and year.
- The journal's scope and article type are appropriate for your manuscript.
- The fees page has been found: APC, submission fee, and other payments.
- Currency, taxes, the tenge exchange rate, and the bank's fee are included in the total amount.
- The invoice recipient is the same as the issuer or payment agent listed on the website.
- I have read the terms and conditions regarding cancellation, article withdrawal, and refunds.
- If you're working with a contractor, you have a list of services with prices and a contract that specifies what happens if the magazine declines the work.
If there is no answer to even one of these points, it’s best to postpone the payment and contact the editorial office. Waiting a few days will cost less than making an erroneous transfer that takes months to be refunded. Make a note of the verification date and check it again if a long time has passed between the decision and the payment.
The bottom line is simple: there’s no one-size-fits-all price for publication, but there is a process to follow. Determine the access model, find the fees page, calculate the currency conversion and bank fees, convert everything to tenge with a safety margin—and only then make the payment.
Select topic for co-authorship in his/her industries. Join us to research with real scientific contribution And be published in Scopus or magazines KOKSNVO. Price articles shares between co-authors, therefore participation costs noticeably cheaper separate articles: in Scopus — from 460 $ for place instead of from 2 300 $.
education, economics, medicine, technical And others sciences.
database And quartile — more to start.
your role And stages recorded.
if magazine will refuse, article we'll post in friend publication.
Describe your goal and deadline—we'll suggest a journal and publication format.
FAQ
From 0 $ in magazine without APC, if English text you cook themselves, to several thousands dollars in magazine Q1 with high APC. Summary is being assembled from training manuscripts, fees magazine, services artists, taxes And banking expenses. Herself database Scopus with author money not takes.
Select magazine without APC: Diamond Open Access or subscription magazine without fees. Such magazines it's possible search in filter DOAJ, and status in Scopus — check separately. When this expenses on translation And editing remain, and competition in free magazines high level usually above.
Price depends on from specific magazine, and not from databases: Clarivate not takes fee with authors. On amount affect index (SCIE, SSCI, AHCI, ESCI), quartile JCR, model access And publisher. If magazine includes both in Scopus and in WoS, APC is paid one time.
APC (article processing charge) — fee for processing And publication articles, usually in magazines open access. How rule, his pays for author, but sometimes APC covers university by agreement with publisher, grant or program waiver.
Indirectly. In magazines more high quartiles APC in on average above: by our guidelines, from 100–500 $ in Q4 to 1,000–5,000 $ in Q1. But quartile himself by to oneself price not determines, and free magazines occur in any quartile.
Multiply currency expenses (APC, fees) on course bank on date payments, add commission for international translation And expenses in tenge on translation And editing. For example, APC 1,000 $ when conditional course 500 ₸ — this is 500,000 ₸ without accounting commissions. Set aside 5–10% stock on change course.
It depends from level magazine. Publication in Kazakh magazine from list of KOKSNVO usually costs cheaper, than in international magazine Scopus or Web of Science, where main consumption — APC and translation on English. In any in the event that at first Check rules magazine And requirements, under which needed publication.
