MATLAB for students is available in two ways: through a campus-wide license (Campus-Wide-Lizenz) from your university or through the Student Suite, which you can buy from MathWorks. This guide covers both routes, the open questions and what to clarify with your university beforehand.
Short answer: Whether you can use MATLAB at no cost depends on whether your university (Hochschule) has a campus-wide license. If it does, you create a MathWorks account with your university email address. According to the manufacturer, the Student Suite can be bought, but the page does not state a price. Last updated: October 2026, offers change frequently.
The most important points at a glance
- A campus-wide license from your university is the route that MathWorks names explicitly.
- You create the MathWorks account with your student email address. After that you can use MATLAB, provided your university has access.
- According to the page, the Student Suite includes MATLAB, Simulink, online training and some of the most widely used add-ons. The manufacturer does not state a price.
- Duration and scope of the campus license depend on your university contract.
- The page does not set out a separate rule for students in Germany. Ask your university.
What do you get with the campus license?
The campus-wide license applies to members of a university that has a contract for access. According to MathWorks, after you create an account with your student email address, you can use MATLAB right away. The page does not explicitly name Simulink in this context. Check with your university whether Simulink and other add-ons are included.
| Benefit | Regular price | Student price | Duration | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MATLAB via campus-wide license | Not confirmed on the manufacturer page | Through the university, price not confirmed | Depends on the university contract | Student email address when creating the account |
| MATLAB and Simulink Student Suite | Not stated on the page | Purchase via the manufacturer page, price not stated | Not stated on the page | Not described on the page |
| Add-on products (more than 60 according to the page) | Not stated on the page | Purchase only | Not stated on the page | Not described on the page |
All figures: as of October 2026, source is the MathWorks student page.
How do you get MATLAB through your university?
The route runs through your university email address and a MathWorks account. This order helps you:
- Ask your university whether there is a campus-wide license for MATLAB. The library, the IT service or your student council can clarify this.
- Create a MathWorks account and use your student email address.
- Follow the sign-in steps on the page. MathWorks does not describe the verification in detail.
- Download MATLAB and check whether Simulink and the add-ons your course needs are included.
- If you buy the Student Suite, compare it with the campus access first so that you do not pay twice.
What should you keep in mind when using it?
The campus license is tied to your university. Whether access ends with your enrollment depends on the university contract, and the manufacturer page does not give a fixed deadline. The license terms and your university rules apply, especially for theses. For handling AI tools in written work, see AI Use in Studies: Rules, Disclosure and Tools. For general software discounts, see Student Discounts: How to Verify and Save.
What happens after your studies?
The page does not say whether and how access continues after graduation. The campus license belongs to your university and will probably end with your affiliation. If you need MATLAB for work later, clarify a company contract or your own license early. Also store your scripts and data outside the license environment before access ends. For comparison with other technical tools, see Free Software for Students: Programs at a Glance.
Frequently asked questions
Can students get MATLAB for free?
Through your university’s campus-wide license, MATLAB can be usable at no cost to you. The manufacturer page does not confirm whether this applies to you, so ask your university. The Student Suite is bought separately, and its price is not stated on the page.
Do I need a university email address?
The page names your student email address when creating the account as the route to campus access. Without an address from your university, that route is not available, and buying the Student Suite remains the option.
Is Simulink included in campus access?
The page does not explicitly name Simulink for the campus license. According to the manufacturer, the Student Suite includes MATLAB, Simulink and online training. If you need Simulink, clarify it with your university beforehand.
Does the campus license apply in Germany?
The page does not list countries for student offers. Germany appears only in the country selection. Whether your university has a campus contract is a question for your university.
How long does access last?
According to the page, this depends on the university contract. MathWorks does not state a fixed term.
So what should you do now?
- Ask your university about campus access to MATLAB.
- Create the MathWorks account with your student email address.
- Check whether Simulink and the add-ons you need are included.
- Buy the Student Suite only if the campus access is not enough.
Related reading
- Free Software for Students: Programs at a Glance
- Student Discounts: How to Verify and Save
- Student Apps: The Best Tools for Studying
- AI Use in Studies: Rules, Disclosure and Tools
- SOLIDWORKS for Students in Germany: Offer and Use
Sources: MATLAB for students: campus-wide access and Student Suite (MathWorks), as of October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
