Many scholarly articles are now published on an Open Access basis, i.e. free access for all from the point of publication (or agreed time limit).
Some databases, e.g. Emerald Insight, offer an option to look for open access items only.
Occasionally, links to full text articles will take you to a university's online repository. University repositories store the research and publication activities, including full text links where relevant, of academic and research staff.
For more details on Open Access, please see the JISC guide.
To search for open access items, start with the Open Access Button.
Alternatively, download the Open Access Button, Unpaywall or Core Discovery browser extensions. These work with Google Chrome and Firefox and automatically find open access versions of PDF articles you are viewing.
Don't despair if the items you need are not published on an open access basis - other access options are available ...
Library staff may be able to help. Many journal articles and books can be sourced from other library collections in the UK.
Can Special Collections help?
Universities usually have archives or other Special Collections which curate an extensive catalogue of local and international primary source materials - original manuscripts, rare books, images, audio-visual materials and artwork - which inform research and promotes lifelong learning.
Additional access conditions usually apply to such collections.
UWS Special Collections & Archives is available to students, academic staff and to individuals with a strong subject interest.
See the website for details and access contacts.
Search Library Hub Discover to explore the collections of many university and research libraries in the UK and further afield.
You can then request access to relevant titles through our Inter Library Loans service.
The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations lists collections of a country's collated theses. Search the whole site or first select an individual collection.
A national agreement - SCONUL Access - is in place to enable access for students to the holdings of other academic and research institutions. Please see their website to register and for details of scheme members.
Anyone with a postal address in Scotland can join the National Library of Scotland to visit the Edinburgh reading rooms or access the online collections of one of the major research libraries in Europe.
Business students are welcome to approach the Business & IP Centre in Glasgow's Mitchell Library for assistance with specialist enquiries.
Students on nursing, social work and related courses can register with the NHS Scotland's Knowledge Network to access additional book and e-resources.
This work in this guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.