Subject guides: Open Access Publishing: Open Access Explained

What is Open Access (OA)?

Open Access (OA) refers to scholarly research that is made freely available online, without subscription or paywall barriers. Anyone can read, download, and share OA publications, which increases their reach beyond traditional academic audiences.

Different OA models at a glance

Gold OA

The final published version of your article is immediately and freely available in an Open Access journal. Often involves an Article Processing Charge (APC).

Green OA

You publish in any journal and then deposit a version (pre-print or post-print, depending on publisher policy) in an open repository. Sometimes subject to an embargo.

Hybrid OA

A subscription-based journal offers the option to make individual articles Open Access for a fee.