Look, let’s be real. If you’re a student in 2026, you probably think getting a high-end CAD program for free is as easy as clicking a "Download" button on a shady forum. It’s not. But it’s also not as impossible as your bank account might make it feel. Free SolidWorks software for students exists, but the "how" is usually buried in messy university portals or sponsorship applications that nobody reads.
I’ve seen plenty of engineering students drop $99 on a license they could have gotten for zero dollars. Honestly, it’s a bit of a tragedy. The software is a beast—it basically runs the world of mechanical design—but the licensing is a labyrinth.
Why You Probably Already Own a License
The biggest secret in the CAD world is that if your school has SolidWorks in their computer labs, you probably have a "home use" license waiting for you. Dassault Systèmes (the folks who make the software) includes a "Student Access Initiative" with their big institutional packages.
Basically, if your department has a license for 60 or more seats, they are eligible to give out the Student Engineering Kit (SEK) or the Student Premium license to students for their personal laptops.
You've just gotta find the right person to ask.
Usually, this isn't the IT guy at the general help desk. You need to hunt down the lab manager in the mechanical engineering building or the professor who teaches the Intro to CAD 101 class. They usually have a 9020 serial number and a specific "SDK-ID" or "SEK-ID" that unlocks the installer.
The Different "Free" Tiers (They Aren't All the Same)
It's kinda confusing because SolidWorks doesn't just have one "student" version.
- Student Standard (formerly SDK): This is the basic one. It’s usually what you get if your school has a medium-sized license. You get the CAD parts, assemblies, and drawings. It’s fine for homework, but it lacks the cool simulation tools.
- Student Premium (formerly SEK): This is the gold mine. It’s the full-fat version. We're talking Flow Simulation, Plastics, Sustainability, and even Visualize for those photorealistic renders.
- Student Edition: This is the one you buy from the store for around $60-$100. Don't buy this until you’ve confirmed your school won't give you the first two for free.
How to Get Free SolidWorks Software for Students Without a School
What if your school is stuck in the stone age and doesn't offer it? Or maybe you're a high schooler on a robotics team?
Join a Competition Team
This is the most reliable "backdoor." SolidWorks sponsors thousands of student teams every year. If you are part of FIRST Robotics, Formula SAE, Baja SAE, or VEX Robotics, you can apply for a team sponsorship. They don't just give you one license; they often give the whole team a batch of serial numbers.
Honestly, even if you’re just starting a club, it’s worth applying. They want students using their software because, once you learn it, you’ll probably demand your future boss buys the $5,000 professional version.
The Maker Edition Catch
If you aren't on a team and your school says no, there's the 3DEXPERIENCE for Makers. It’s not free—it's usually about $48 a year—but it’s the closest thing for a "lonewolf" student.
Just a heads-up though: files created in the Maker version are not compatible with the Professional or Education versions. If you design a cool robot in the Maker version, you can't just open the file on your school's computer and print it. It’s a huge pain.
Technical Realities: Will Your Laptop Actually Run This?
I’ve seen so many students get their free license, wait four hours for the 15GB download, and then realize their $400 Chromebook is about as useful as a brick.
SolidWorks is a resource hog.
You need a Windows machine. Period. If you’re on a Mac, you’re looking at running Parallels or Bootcamp (if you have an Intel Mac), but even then, it’s glitchy. You also need a dedicated graphics card. Integrated Intel graphics will "work," but as soon as you add more than ten parts to an assembly, your screen will start flickering like a haunted TV.
The Certification Bonus
One thing people always forget: the student license usually comes with free certification vouchers. A CSWA (Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate) exam usually costs $99. Most student licenses include vouchers for the CSWA and even the CSWP (Professional).
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Put those on your LinkedIn. Seriously. Employers in 2026 still look for those badges because they prove you didn't just "kind of" learn the software—you actually know how to use it under pressure.
Steps to Secure Your License Right Now
- Email your department head. Ask specifically for the "SolidWorks Student Access Code" or "SEK serial number."
- Check the Community Download page. Once you have a code, you don't wait for a disk. You go to the SolidWorks website, enter your info, and grab the "Installation Manager."
- Use your .edu email. Using a Gmail address is the fastest way to get your request ignored or flagged.
- Check for "Trial" periods. Sometimes, resellers like GoEngineer or SolidSolutions offer 30-day or 60-day trials that are fully functional. It's a stop-gap, but it works if you have a project due next week.
If you find yourself stuck at the "Activation" screen, remember that student licenses are almost always time-limited. They usually expire on July 31st every year to align with the academic calendar. You'll have to get a new code and "reactivate" every August. It's annoying, but hey, it's free.
Go talk to your lab manager tomorrow morning. Most of these licenses go unused simply because nobody knows they exist. Don't be the person paying for software that's already sitting in a drawer in the engineering office.
Next Steps for You:
- Log into your university's software portal (look for names like "Kivuto" or "OnTheHub").
- Search for "SolidWorks Student Premium."
- If it’s not there, draft an email to your CAD professor asking for the 9020 serial number associated with the school's campus license.