In an engineering degree you work with CAD programmes for design, with software for mathematics and calculation, and often with simulation tools. Licences are expensive, which is why offers for students and the campus licences of universities are particularly important. The first step is to clarify what your modules require.
Short answer: For engineering studies there is Autodesk Education, free for one year, SOLIDWORKS Student with the free Design Standard version, and MATLAB, usually through a campus-wide licence from your university. Conditions change, so check them before you sign up. Stand: October 2026, offers change frequently.
The most important points at a glance
- Autodesk Education makes many programmes available to students free of charge for one year, and renewal is possible.
- SOLIDWORKS Student offers Design Standard free of charge. According to the provider, Design Premium with simulation costs 60 USD per year.
- MATLAB is often available through a campus-wide licence with a university email address. The university sets the conditions.
- Wolfram Alpha Pro for students costs 5.00 USD per month with annual billing, according to the provider.
- Some CAD programmes only run on Windows, for example SOLIDWORKS Standard and Premium. Check this before you buy a device.
Which software do you need in engineering studies?
For design work, people use CAD programmes such as Autodesk Fusion, Inventor or SOLIDWORKS. For calculations, data analysis and mathematics, MATLAB is widely used. Simulations run in specialised software depending on the subject, which is often licensed through the university. Which programmes your modules require is stated in the module handbook or by the lecturers. You will find an overview of university licences in the guide Campus licences: which software your university provides.
Which offers are available for engineering students?
The overview shows the offers that were confirmed on the provider pages when retrieved in October 2026. Where no prices are confirmed, the overview refers to the provider page or your university.
| Offer | Benefit | Regular price | Student price | Term | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Education | AutoCAD, Revit, Fusion, Inventor, 3ds Max, Maya | not stated | free for one year | one year, renewal possible from 30 days before expiry | Enrolment at an educational institution, verification via Autodesk |
| SOLIDWORKS Student | Design Standard (3D CAD), Design Premium with simulation, rendering and CAM | not confirmed | Design Standard free, Design Premium 60 USD per year | Standard version without a stated deadline | MySolidWorks account with student status |
| MATLAB (campus-wide licence) | Mathematics, programming, simulation, Student Suite as a purchase | not confirmed | through the university, conditions not confirmed | depends on the university agreement | University email address via a MathWorks account |
| Wolfram Alpha Pro (students) | Step-by-step solutions, more computing time | 9.99 USD per month according to the provider | 5.00 USD per month with annual billing (60 USD per year) | Annual, semester or monthly plans | not described |
Stand: October 2026. The Wolfram prices are only given in USD, sources see below.
Why the university licence is often worthwhile
Many universities have agreements with manufacturers such as MathWorks or Autodesk. The licence then often covers more functions than the entry-level offer for individuals, and it usually costs you nothing extra. Ask the computing centre or your department which software is available in the pool and how to install it. There you will also learn whether the licence applies on your private device.
What about simulation in your studies?
Simulation is a compulsory part of many subjects, for example fluid mechanics, mechanics or electrical engineering. Which tools are used there depends on the chair. Some chairs work with their own scripts or freely available software, others with commercial programmes.
So do not just ask for the programme name, but also for the version and the type of licence. A campus licence often applies to specific versions and modules. If you want to finish calculations on your own computer, clarify beforehand whether the licence applies there too.
How to activate the offer
- Autodesk: create an education account and provide proof of your enrolment. After that you can download the software. The licence runs for one year and is renewable. According to the provider, renewal opens 30 days before expiry.
- SOLIDWORKS: create a MySolidWorks account and follow the check of your student status. The Standard version and Design Premium run on Windows, while xDesign runs in the browser.
- MATLAB: check with your university whether a campus-wide licence exists. Then register with MathWorks using your university email address.
- Only install the software after you have read the licence terms, especially the rules on use for educational purposes.
You can reach Wolfram Alpha Pro via the provider’s student page. There you will also find the plans for one year, one semester or one month.
What happens after your studies?
- Autodesk licences for students are tied to educational eligibility. Before each renewal, check whether you are still eligible.
- University licences end with the university agreement or with your enrolment. Plan early which software you will need afterwards.
- For commercial use you usually need your own licence. You can find out the prices directly from the manufacturer.
- Save projects in neutral formats such as STEP for CAD models. Native formats often can only be opened with the original software.
STEP is an internationally standardised exchange format for 3D models and is supported by many CAD programmes. If you save your designs in this format, you can open them later in other software too.
Frequently asked questions
May I use the student version for my work in a company?
Educational offers are often restricted to study purposes. Autodesk’s use is explicitly permitted only for educational purposes and not commercially. For work in a company you usually need a commercial licence. Check the conditions of the specific offer.
Is Wolfram Alpha suitable for engineers?
Wolfram Alpha is suitable for calculations, rearrangements and solution paths. For larger models and extensive data processing, specialised software such as MATLAB is often a better fit. Prices are given in USD. Check the conditions for Germany on the provider’s page.
What computer do I need for CAD software?
The hardware requirements are listed on the manufacturers’ pages. Check them before buying a laptop, especially for programmes that only run on Windows. Some universities provide computer rooms with the software installed, which can be a good solution for the first semesters.
Do I need my own licence for my thesis?
The educational licence applies to your thesis as long as you are enrolled. If you continue the thesis after deregistration, for example in a company, the student licence is usually no longer sufficient. Clarify this early with your university and your supervisor. That way your results remain traceable after the end, and you do not lose access to models or calculations in the middle of the work.
Are there free alternatives for CAD?
Yes, for simple 3D models there are programmes that can be used free of charge. Ask in your degree programme which software is used in the modules. Switching to other tools is mainly worthwhile if your examinations allow it.
Which rules apply to AI tools?
AI tools are also used in engineering studies, for example for code, calculations or literature research. Observe your examination regulations and your university’s requirements, do not enter personal data or unpublished research data, and always check AI outputs, especially calculations. More on this in the guide AI rules at universities: why every examination regulation is different.
How to proceed now
- Read the module handbook and note the software required for examinations and projects.
- Ask your university about campus licences for CAD, MATLAB and simulation.
- Activate the student offers from Autodesk and SOLIDWORKS only once you have clarified your need.
- Save your designs and calculations in open formats before your status ends.
Related reading
- Campus licences: which software your university provides
- Student status benefits, discounts and services
- Software for computer science studies: GitHub Pack, IDEs and Cloud
- Software for design studies: Adobe, Figma and Affinity compared
- AI rules at universities: why every examination regulation is different
Sources: SOLIDWORKS: student offers (Stand: October 2026); Autodesk Education: software overview (Stand: October 2026); MathWorks: MATLAB for students (Stand: October 2026); Wolfram Alpha: Pro for students (Stand: October 2026).
Stand: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
