Autodesk is well-known for its architecture, construction, engineering, and design software, such as AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor Pro. Autodesk doesn’t offer commercial licenses only, but also educational licenses under favorable conditions. Autodesk educational licenses include all the features of a commercial license. They are available at much lower costs at Msckey. However, this article explains what an Autodesk educational license is, its key features, benefits, types of licenses, how to manage them, and how to renew them.

What is the Autodesk Educational License?

Autodesk educational licenses are specially built for academic users, such as students, teachers, and educational institutions. The educational license provides full access to the commercial Autodesk software at lower costs for eligible users. However, those who can’t afford the commercial licenses can buy an educational license to get the same capabilities.

Key Features of Autodesk Educational License

The key features of the Autodesk educational license are similar to its commercial license. For instance, AutoCAD educational editions include identical 2D drawing and 3D modeling features like commercial editions. Have a look:

No Watermark

Autodesk educational edition is designed solely for students, educators, and educational purposes. The previous versions have a watermark on printed plans or exported files. This shows they can only be used in schools. However, AutoCAD 2022 or AutoCAD 2022-based products won’t display the EDU watermark in drawings, but internal metadata still identifies their educational origin. The license agreement also prohibits educational software from commercial usage.

Duration and Renewal Policy

Autodesk’s commercial license previously offered perpetual plans (for indefinite use) or subscription plans, which renewed annually. Compared to an educational license, a 1-year subscription with academic eligibility is typically offered. Recently, Autodesk has increased institutional plans for 3 years, and users have to show their academic eligibility during that period.

Eligible Users

An Autodesk educational license is usable only for educational institutions, students, teachers, instructors, and academic researchers. Users have to prove their eligibility by providing information, such as EDU mail, academic certificates, and so on.

Benefits of Autodesk Educational License

Autodesk educational licenses have several benefits, which are not less than a commercial license. Let’s check the benefits:

Access to Industry Standard Tools: Autodesk suites are very popular among industry professionals worldwide. However, Autodesk software is officially costlier, and not everyone can afford it. The Autodesk educational version can be a cost-effective replacement for users. At Msckey, you can purchase any Autodesk software at lower prices.

Lower Price: A company pays higher prices to get an Autodesk commercial license. In comparison, Autodesk educational licenses are available at significantly lower prices at Msckey. It opens the window to learn the vast array of Autodesk software without financial pressure.

Updated Software: If you buy an Autodesk educational license, you’ll get the same features as a commercial license. This educational license is not a “lite” or limited version. It accepts all updates and improvements from Autodesk. So, buying the Autodesk educational version software delivers updated features and access to advanced features like commercial licenses.

Participate in Global Competitions: Gaining expertise in Autodesk software can boost your portfolio and win in global competitions. Autodesk software includes advanced features that showcase your designs to a global audience. It will develop recognition and build authority within your industry.

Types of Autodesk Educational Licenses in 2025

Autodesk offers different types of licenses that meet diverse users’ needs. Let’s see:

Individual Educational License: This type of license is tied to the account of a single named user. Each student and teacher can access this account with their login details, and it’s a yearly subscription-based license.

Educational License for Institutions: Educational institutions like universities, colleges, or schools use an educational license for institutions in their computer labs or classrooms. This kind of license is different from individual license plans and suits institutional necessities.

Multi-User Licensing: Multi-user licensing, formerly known as a network license. This license is managed through a server system where several workstations (PCs) can use the software. For example, a college has 30 computers in its lab with 15 educational network licenses and it allows 15 concurrent users simultaneously.

Autodesk Perpetual License vs Subscription: Which One Should You Choose?

Autodesk stopped selling perpetual licenses years ago, but you can still get some older versions from an authorized reseller at a cheap price. Let’s check how you should purchase a license based on your needs:

• If you don’t like a recurring payment system and don’t have issues with the older version, then you can purchase an older Autodesk edition without any doubt. For instance, training centers that teach basic CAD concepts don’t need a recurring version to choose. Therefore, choosing a perpetual version helps them to avoid the renewal process every academic cycle.
• On the other hand, if you’re looking for an updated version with advanced features, then an Autodesk annual/triennial subscription is more suitable for your needs. With an educational subscription, students or teachers can access the most recent version of Autodesk software and renew to continue their academic journey.

How to Manage Autodesk Educational License?

Getting an Autodesk license is just the beginning; therefore, efficiently managing it is essential. However, check here on how to manage the Autodesk educational license for both individual and institutional administrators:

Individual Educational License Management

• Check your product and subscription status on the “Product and Services” section. Also, check the expiration date of your current educational license.
• In your Autodesk account, download the software you need.
• Manage active installations through your account profile and check that Devices are linked. Remove unnecessary login devices and free up a slot in your device.
• To get the necessary resources, connect with the Education Support tab. Also, ask questions to the Autodesk Virtual Assistant to get answers. If you are a student, there is a community forum to post technical questions and get answers from other users or moderators.

Institution Administrators License Management

Managing educational licenses for the institution administrators is necessary. Here is the process:

• The administrator must have an Autodesk account with educational admin rights. When the admin logs into the Autodesk account, they will have a dashboard with “Educational Institutions”, “Manage Users”, and more.
• The Institution Admin can invite students’ or teachers’ email addresses to join the institution’s educational plan. Students or teachers can accept the invitations and create their Autodesk ID, and be automatically assigned.
• An Institution Administrator makes available software for their selected user or groups.
• The administrator account has a dashboard, where they can check how many educational licenses are being used at this moment and how many are not available.
• The institution admin can generate an educational network license file when the lab computers are in offline mode or when users want to skip creating an account for the device.

Therefore, to learn more about Autodesk educational license management.

How to Renew Autodesk Educational License

If you want to keep using your Autodesk software, renew it on time. Below is the renewal process for both individual and institutional accounts. Take a look:

Renewal Process for Individual User Account

Step 1: Verify Your Academic Eligibility

• The first step to the renewal process of an individual user account is to verify their academic eligibility. 
• Make sure you still meet all the requirements and log in to the account with a valid institutional email address.
• Submit a document like a Student ID, Enrollment Certificate, and more through the online verification process. 

Step 2: Log in to the Autodesk Account

• Log in to your Account dashboard.
• Click on the Get Products page or navigate to the Education tab.
• Check the activation Status, and before 30 days of expiration, you will get the option “Renew Access”.

Step 3: Click on “Renew” or Revalidate Access

• Click on the Renew Access to extend the expiration date of your educational license for another year.
• If you need to revalidate any information, click on ‘Revalidate Access’ and submit a document or authenticate through your school portal. 
• You will receive confirmation of the new expiration date on the dashboard.

Step 4: Restart Subscriptions 

• If you missed the renewal and you can’t access the account, you must prompt for reactivation.
• When you renew the subscription online, launch your Autodesk Desktop App and sign in again to activate the subscription. 

Step 5: Confirm Final Status

• When you follow all the steps to renew the license, go back to your Autodesk account.
• Check if the expiration date is extended to the next year. 
• Verify all your applications showing an Active Subscription or a similar tag. 

Renewal Process for Institutional Account

Step 1: Ready your Documentation

• Prepare your documents before 1-2 months of expiration. It provides proof that your institution is still operating as an educational entity.
• If your license was renewed 3 years ago, you might be uploading fresh documents again. 

Step 2: Access to the Educational Product Portal

• In Autodesk, there is a separate page for admins to perform the renewal process.
• When the admin logs in and finds out that the “Subscription and Contracts” section. 
• This section provides a list of linked educational licenses and expiration dates. 

Step 3: Start the Institutional Renewal Process

• To start the renewal process, you need to click on “Renew Educational Plan”.
• If the institution hasn’t revalidated eligibility recently, they should ask to upload some documents before proceeding.
• Submit all the required documents, complete the steps, and wait until the verification is complete. 

Step 4: Create New Subscription/Licenses

• When your institution passes the eligibility, create a new educational subscription. 
• Choose the products your institution requires. 
• Creating a new subscription, you might get a new serial number for network licenses. 

Step 6: Communicate and Document: 

• When the renewal process is complete, you should inform its users.
• Users will know what the changes are in the new subscription. 

Final Words

Getting an Autodesk Educational License in 2025 provides an excellent opportunity to run industry-standard software with full functionality. If you’re a student or educator, verify your academic or institutional information to unlock all the premium features of Autodesk. Whether upgrading skills, learn technical designs, or managing institutional software, the Autodesk educational license provides a cost-effective solution with the latest updates.

FAQs

1. Who can buy an Autodesk Educational License in 2025?

Students, educators, and educational institutions are eligible to get Autodesk educational licenses by uploading their valid documents.

2. Does the Autodesk Educational Version include the same features as the commercial version?

Yes. The recent Autodesk educational version contains similar features to the commercial version, but they differ in pricing.

3. Can I get a lifetime account for Autodesk software?

No, Autodesk only offers subscription-based licenses. You can purchase a 1 to 3-years subscription-based license from authorized Autodesk software seller Msckey.