Citavi for students usually runs through the university. A student licence directly from the vendor is not documented in the sources we checked, the usual route is a campus licence (Campuslizenz) provided by the university. This guide explains how to find out whether your university provides Citavi and what to watch for.
Short answer: We found no documented student offer for Citavi directly from the vendor. The usual route is a campus licence provided by your university. Terms, duration and proof depend on the university contract, so we do not name prices. Last updated: October 2026, offers change often.
The key points at a glance
- A student offer directly from the vendor is not documented in the sources we checked.
- Campus licences are granted by universities, and their terms depend on the contract.
- Your library or IT department can tell you whether your university provides Citavi.
- We name no prices, because they are not reliably documented either on the vendor’s site or in our research.
- The vendor’s pricing page could not be evaluated during our check. Check it yourself before you spend money.
Is there a student offer from the vendor directly?
The vendor’s pricing page could not be evaluated during our check in October 2026. A student plan is therefore not documented, neither with a price nor with a term. If you are looking for an individual licence, check the pricing page yourself before you decide. This guide names no figure that we could not confirm.
How do you get a campus licence through your university?
Many universities publish their own pages on Citavi, for example the University of Kassel or the University of Marburg. These pages describe use by members of the respective university. How access works in detail is set out there, not in this guide. We have not read the content of these pages in full, so we only point to them.
Offer at a glance
| Service | Regular price | Student price | Duration | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citavi campus licence | Not documented, vendor prices could not be evaluated | Via the university, terms not documented | Depends on the university contract | University access, details from the university |
| Individual licence for students | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented | Not documented |
Sources of the information: university pages on Citavi, not read in full, and the vendor’s page, which could not be evaluated. Last updated: October 2026.
What proof do you need for access?
That depends on your university. Usually your membership of the university is enough, for example through your university account. Ask your library or IT department which documents are required. A student ID card alone is not documented as proof for a campus licence, so ask in advance.
When is Citavi worth it, and when is another tool better?
Citavi suits you if your university provides the licence and you want to bring literature, tasks and project planning together in one software. If your university has no licence, or you want a free tool, Zotero for Students: Offer, Price and Use in Your Studies is an alternative. According to the provider, the software is free.
Which software your university provides beyond that is shown in Campus Licences: Which Software Your University Provides.
How to activate the offer
- Ask your library or IT department whether Citavi is available as a campus licence.
- Have your university access ready and follow the university’s instructions for logging in.
- Install the version your university recommends, and read the licence terms.
- If there is no campus licence, check the vendor’s pricing page yourself before you pay.
What happens after your studies?
A campus licence is tied to your membership of the university. What happens to access and licence after you leave the university is set by your university’s contract, not by Citavi alone. Secure your projects in good time, before your access ends. If you still need Citavi afterwards, check the vendor’s individual licence. We could not confirm its price here.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Citavi privately?
That depends on the licence contract of your university. Read the terms before you set up a campus licence on a private device.
May I install Citavi on my own device?
Whether you may use the software on your own device depends on the campus licence. The university sets out the rules, so its instructions apply.
Is Citavi cheaper than through the university?
We cannot document this, because we have no verified prices for individual licences. Compare the offers with the vendor yourself and ask your university before you pay.
Where can I find the university page on Citavi?
Search the pages of your university for Citavi, reference management or library. Many universities have their own pages, such as the University of Kassel or the University of Marburg.
What to do now
- Ask your library or IT department about Citavi.
- Note which version and which terms the university names.
- Secure your Citavi projects as soon as you know when your access ends.
- Check vendor prices and university pages again before you make a decision.
Related guides
- Student Discounts on Software and Apps 2026: Overview
- Campus Licences: Which Software Your University Provides
- Reference Tools for Studies: Zotero, Citavi, Overleaf and Obsidian
- Zotero for Students: Offer, Price and Use in Your Studies
Sources: University of Kassel, Citavi reference management (last updated October 2026) and University of Marburg, Citavi (last updated October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
