A campus licence (Campuslizenz) is a contract between your university (Hochschule) and a software vendor. If you are enrolled, it often gives you access to programmes that would otherwise need a personal subscription. Which software is available and under which conditions is set by each university, so it is worth checking with the university IT department.
Short answer: A campus licence usually applies only while you are enrolled at the university. Access typically runs through your university email address or a university login. According to vendor pages, Office 365 A1 from Microsoft (web-based) and campus access for MATLAB are documented examples. Your university IT department tells you which programmes you get. Last updated: October 2026, offers change often.
Key points
- A campus licence depends on your enrolment. It usually ends when you leave the university.
- Access usually runs through the university email address or a university login. The university IT department knows which programmes apply.
- According to Microsoft, Office 365 A1 is free for learners with a university email address. The apps run in the browser, and a full desktop version is not included.
- MATLAB is available through campus-wide licences, if your university has one. Access runs through a MathWorks account with a university email address.
- The conditions are not the same everywhere. No prices for university licences are documented.
Offers at a glance
The table shows what the vendor pages document. Where a detail is missing, it says “not documented”. More offers for software and apps are in our overview of student discounts for software.
| Software | Access via | Cost to you | Duration | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office 365 A1 | University email address of an eligible institution | Free, web-based apps | As long as you are enrolled, eligibility is checked | No full desktop version |
| MATLAB (MathWorks) | MathWorks account with university email (campus-wide access) | Depends on the university contract, price not documented | Depends on the university contract | Check whether your university has a licence |
| Citavi | University access | Not documented | Depends on the university contract | Vendor page was not accessible |
| Overleaf (student plan) | Enrolled at a university | 7.25 EUR per month or 87 EUR per year | Billed monthly or yearly | An alternative if your university has no licence |
How to check which software is available to you
The software list is usually on the university IT website or at the computing centre. Work through five steps:
- Search your university website for terms such as campus licence, software distribution or university software.
- Write down the programmes you need for your studies and check whether they are listed.
- Sign in with your university login to see the conditions. Access is often tied to enrolment.
- Download software only through official routes and follow the licence terms.
- Ask the university IT department what happens to licences after you leave the university.
What happens after your studies?
When your enrolment ends, your right to campus licences usually ends too. For Office 365 A1 this is explicit: access depends on your enrolment. When the plan runs out, Microsoft says documents can only be viewed. Save your files in time, before access ends.
University, data protection and licence rules
Licence terms set how many devices you may use a programme on and whether you may use it privately. Also note:
- Install programmes only from official sites or the university portal.
- When in doubt, do not enter personal data of others into cloud services that are not run through your university.
- Check whether the licence covers commercial work or a part-time job. That is not always allowed.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get Microsoft Office for free through my university?
The Microsoft page names Office 365 A1 as a free offer for teachers and learners with an email address of an eligible educational institution. The plan consists of web-based apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. Your university IT department can tell you whether desktop versions are also provided.
Is MATLAB free for students?
Many universities have a campus-wide licence that students can use with their university email address. MathWorks describes this access through an account with a university email address. Whether and at what price it applies to you depends on the university contract. No price for the Student Suite is documented.
Do I need a campus licence or my own subscription?
That depends on the programme. First check whether your university offers a licence, because it is often available without a personal cost. For programmes your university does not provide, a student offer from the vendor may be an option, such as the Overleaf student plan.
What if my university does not provide software?
Then look at the student offers of individual vendors. The overview is in our guide to student discounts for software (in German). Check the vendor conditions before you sign up for any offer.
Does a campus licence still apply after my studies?
Usually not. Access depends on your enrolment, and the university sets the conditions. For software you want to keep using afterwards, you need your own offer or a licence through your employer.
Common mistakes when setting up
Setting up a licence often goes wrong in the same few ways. These points save time and avoid problems.
- Registering with a private email address instead of your university email address. Without it, the check of your student status often fails.
- Installing software before the licence is activated. Follow the order in the instructions from your university IT department.
- Using a licence on more devices than the terms allow.
- Keeping important files only locally, although access ends with your enrolment.
Why the university IT department is worth asking
The IT department knows the contracts your university has with vendors. It can tell you which programmes are available, which conditions apply and whom to contact when something goes wrong. Many universities publish a help page or service portal for this, which is the first place to look.
What to do now
- Check the software list on your university IT website.
- Confirm that your programmes are listed and note the conditions.
- Set up your licences in good time and save your files before access ends.
- Compare solutions your university does not provide in the overview of student discounts for software (in German).
Related reading
- Student discounts for software and apps 2026
- AI tools for students 2026
- Student discounts for streaming and subscriptions
- Digital note-taking apps for studying: top tools compared
Sources: Microsoft: Office for education in Germany (last updated: October 2026), MathWorks: MATLAB for students (last updated: October 2026), Overleaf: plans and student plan (last updated: October 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
