Autodesk Education Licensing for UK Schools
Many eligible UK educational institutions can access Autodesk software through Autodesk’s Education Plan without buying a conventional commercial licence.
That makes the first question different from most software quotations: does the institution and intended use qualify for Autodesk’s educational access?
SAM UK supplies Autodesk licensing and handles renewal enquiries, but we will not present a paid licence as necessary where Autodesk’s current free Education Plan is the appropriate route. For requirements outside standard educational access, or where an institution needs to identify the correct commercial route, send SAM UK the intended use and current licensing position.
Is Autodesk software free for schools?
Eligible educators, IT administrators and lab administrators at qualified educational institutions can obtain educational access to Autodesk software and services subject to Autodesk’s eligibility and terms.
Autodesk defines a qualified educational institution around recognised accreditation and a primary purpose of teaching enrolled students. Eligibility is verified through Autodesk’s own Education process, including confirming eligibility as an admin.
SAM UK does not approve, certify or perform Autodesk’s eligibility verification.
Who may not qualify for the Education Plan?
Autodesk’s current guidance distinguishes qualified educational institutions from organisations such as non-accredited training centres and retraining programmes.
If an organisation or intended use does not qualify, a commercial licensing route may be required. If you are uncertain, check Autodesk’s current eligibility terms or contact SAM UK to discuss the licensing requirement.
How does institutional Autodesk access work?
Qualified education administrators can obtain Autodesk access for classrooms and labs using Autodesk’s institutional education options.
The current setup and available products should be checked directly against Autodesk’s Education portal, because deployment models and entitlements can change.
What changes on 31 December 2027?
Autodesk currently states that from 31 December 2027 it will no longer offer new educational network and multi-seat licences and recommends that institutions move towards Education institution subscriptions.
Existing older licences may have their own term and expiry position. A school using an older network or multi-seat setup should therefore check its current licence type and expiry, and Autodesk’s institutional renewal guidance, rather than assume it can renew the same model indefinitely.
When might an institution need a commercial Autodesk quote?
A commercial requirement may arise when the organisation, user or intended use is outside the terms of Autodesk’s Education Plan, or where a current paid or commercial licence needs to be reviewed or renewed.
The exact route depends on the organisation and the use, so the position is confirmed against Autodesk’s current terms before any quotation is prepared.
What SAM UK needs to review an Autodesk requirement
- Organisation type
- Whether the institution is accredited/recognised for education purposes
- Autodesk product required, if known
- Intended educational or commercial use
- Approximate staff/educator user count
- Approximate student count where relevant
- Classroom/lab requirements
- Current Autodesk licence or subscription type, if any
- Whether older network or multi-seat licensing is in use
- Current expiry or renewal date where known
Please do not send Autodesk account passwords or licence keys through the public form.
Autodesk education licensing questions
Is Autodesk free for UK schools?
Eligible students, educators and administrators at qualified educational institutions can access Autodesk software through the Education Plan, subject to Autodesk's current eligibility rules and verification.
Does SAM UK decide whether our school qualifies for Autodesk Education?
No. Autodesk controls and verifies Education Plan eligibility. SAM UK can help you identify the licensing question, but eligibility is determined under Autodesk's current Education terms.
What happens to educational network and multi-seat licences in 2027?
Autodesk currently says it will stop offering new educational network and multi-seat licences from 31 December 2027 and recommends Education institution subscriptions. Existing licence terms should be checked individually.
When should we ask SAM UK for an Autodesk quote?
Contact SAM UK when the requirement appears to fall outside standard free Education Plan access, when there is an existing commercial licence to renew or when you need help identifying the appropriate current licensing route.
Can students buy an education licence from SAM UK?
Students who qualify should first use Autodesk's own Education Plan process. This page is intended primarily for institutional licensing requirements rather than individual student software purchases.
Sources and review
Autodesk Education terms, products and transition dates can change. This page was reviewed against current official Autodesk guidance, and Autodesk remains responsible for eligibility verification.
- Autodesk Education — Overview
- Autodesk — Eligibility for the Education plan
- Autodesk — Confirming eligibility as an admin
- Autodesk Education — Admins and Institutions — Available Products
- Autodesk — Renew institutional access to Education software
Last reviewed: 20 August 2026. Next review due: February 2027.
See also school software licensing and our wider software licensing guidance.
Not sure which Autodesk route applies?
Tell us about the institution, product, intended use and current licence position. If Autodesk’s free Education Plan is the correct route, we will say so rather than steering the institution towards an unnecessary paid licence. See also school software licensing.