Glossary

An APC is a fee paid to the publisher to make an article free at the point of access. The publisher moves the cost of publication from the reader (via subscriptions and pay-walls) to the author (via the APC). Could be paid via a read and publish deal or transformative/transitional agreement.

Learn more about APCs and other open access payments

An BPC is a fee paid to the publisher to make a monograph free at the point of access. The publisher moves the cost of publication from the reader (via subscriptions and pay-walls) to the author (via the BPC).

Learn more about BPCs and open monographs

Some publishers only permit 'green' open access after an embargo period.

Learn more about open access embargoes

A publication route (or ‘type’) of open access, where the author deposits their work into a repository so the work is free to access. This is often done because the published version is only accessible for a charge (see hybrid/subscription).

Traditionally the version deposited is the AAM and sometimes is subject to a timed embargo period before public release.

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Immediate deposit: A copy of the final peer-reviewed accepted version of the item) is deposited in ORA at the time of final submission to the publisher.

Optional access: Where possible, the full text is made open access at the point of deposit. Optionally, it is embargoed in compliance with the publisher’s conditions.

Learn more about depositing your work

Making research publications freely available and licensed for reuse, so anyone can benefit from reading and using research. 

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OA journals perform peer review and then make the approved contents freely available to the world under a licence.

Learn more about the types of open access journals

An early version of a scholarly article that is published online before being published in a journal.

Learn more about preprints