Free Software for Education: Overview
Autodesk offers students, educators and qualifying educational institutions free* access to the same design software used by engineers, designers, and digital artists. Why? Early access to these professional tools helps students begin to master the skills and understand the workflows required in the workplace.
Available software
Many Autodesk titles are available through the Education
program, including previous versions. See the Education Community site for a list of titles.
All Autodesk software is available in English. Additional languages
are available for many products.
Who qualifies?
Those who are eligible for free access include:
- Students and educators who need the software for individual, personal use associated with education
- Educational institutions that need multi-user licensing for classroom or lab deployments to be used as part of their instruction to students.
A “qualified educational institution” is an educational institution that has been accredited by an authorized governmental agency within its applicable local, state, provincial, federal, or national government and has the primary purpose of teaching its enrolled students. This includes middle schools, high schools, and higher education institutions.
License duration
Educational licenses have a 3-year term unless otherwise stated.
Use restrictions
Students and Educators
Free software access is available only for learning, teaching, and research & development. It cannot be used for commercial, professional or any other for-profit purposes.
Competitors and mentors for Autodesk sponsored design competitions
Free software access can be used to design, develop, create, and submit competition entries in Autodesk-sponsored design competitions.
Educational Institutions
Free software may only be used by educational institutions for purposes directly related to learning, teaching, training, research and development that are part of the instructional functions performed by the qualified educational institution. Software that is licensed through Autodesk Education Community by an educational institution may only be installed on the educational institution's computers or devices - including in the computer lab.
For some software, students may need to have an Autodesk ID to
access software downloaded on the educational institution's
computers.
Example: When educational institutions wish to make
EAGLE software available to students in the classroom or lab, the
educational institution must go to Education Community to license
and download the software on the educational institution’s
computers. The educational institution can then permit students and
faculty to access that software on the educational institution’s
computers by using their Autodesk ID. See: How to
access Autodesk EAGLE for education use
Education software may not be used for commercial,
professional or any other for-profit purpose.
Uses not permitted under an Educational license include:
- Facilities Use: Designing, constructing and maintaining
an educational institution's campus physical structures and
infrastructure.
Exception: An educational institution may continue to use those specific versions of the products for facilities use if facilities use was previously granted in a license agreement or in a separate agreement. To purchase commercial licenses, please contact an Autodesk reseller.
See: Locate a reseller - Research: Research conducted by any commercial programs
or entities operated by or affiliated with the educational
institution for a commercial purpose.
Exception: Academic research conducted by students or faculty as part of the educational institution’s accredited educational programs is considered to be an educational purpose and that research may be published.
Education terms and conditions
In addition to the Standard Terms of Use that are applicable to all customers who use the Autodesk website, your access to Education Community is also subject to the Education Special Terms.
For additional information about the terms that supplement the LIcense & Services Agreement, see: Educational Licensees – Additional Terms.
See Also
- Education Community site
- Who is Eligible for Free Educational Licenses?
- Get Access to Educational Software
- Download and Install Education Products
- Renew or Extend an Education License
- Education Special Terms
Students and Educators
Educational Institutions
(*) Free Autodesk software and/or cloud-based services are subject to acceptance of and compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license agreement or terms of service that accompany such software or cloud-based services. Software and cloud-based services subject to an Educational license may be used solely for Educational Purposes and shall not be used for commercial, professional or any other for-profit purposes.
Need Assistance?
For assistance with your Education account, find out how to contact Autodesk Education Support.