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Autodesk Education is Autodesk’s programme that gives eligible students, educators and educational institutions access to software such as AutoCAD and Revit for learning and teaching. It is a practical way to practise at home, but it is not structured training. If your team needs to use AutoCAD or Revit productively at work, BOTI’s graphic design and CAD training courses take delegates from first drawing to confident, accurate output.
What is Autodesk Education?
Autodesk produces design and drafting software used in architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing and media. Through its education programme, Autodesk makes many of these products available to eligible learners and teachers so that they can build skills before they enter, or while they study for, a design or technical career.
Aspiring engineers, draughtspersons, architects, product designers and digital artists use this access to practise the same tools they will meet in the workplace. Lecturers and teachers use it to prepare lessons and give students hands-on practice in class.
Who Autodesk educational access is for
The programme is aimed at three groups:
- Students enrolled at a recognised educational institution who want to learn and practise the software.
- Educators who teach design, drafting, engineering or related subjects and need the software to prepare and deliver lessons.
- Educational institutions that want to install the software in labs or classrooms for teaching.
Eligibility rules are set by Autodesk and can change, so check Autodesk’s current education terms before you apply.
How to get started
The general process looks like this:
- Create an Autodesk account and register for educational access. Autodesk asks you to confirm that you are an eligible student or educator.
- Choose your product, for example AutoCAD for 2D drafting and documentation, or Revit for building information modelling.
- Check your computer against the system requirements for the version you want before you download it.
- Install and sign in, then confirm that the licence is active on your device.
- Manage your licence through your Autodesk account, including renewals and moving the licence to a new device if your computer changes.
What an educational licence covers
Educational licences are intended for learning, teaching and academic work. They are generally not meant for commercial or paid work, so a business that wants staff to produce client drawings needs the appropriate commercial licences. If you are unsure whether a project counts as educational use, read Autodesk’s licence terms or ask your company’s IT or procurement team before you start.
Educational versions of the software usually look and work much like the commercial versions. Skills you build on an educational licence therefore carry over to the workplace.
Getting your computer ready
Design software places real demands on hardware. Before you install, check the processor, memory, graphics card, free disk space and operating system against the requirements for your chosen product and version. A machine that falls short may install the software but run slowly or crash when drawings grow large. Installing and configuring correctly at the start saves time later.
Many products also offer cloud features that let you store drawings online and share them with others. This helps students who work on more than one computer, and teams who review each other’s designs.
From student software to workplace skills
Having the software is only the first step. Many learners teach themselves through trial and error, which can leave gaps: inconsistent layers, untidy dimensions, drawings that do not print to scale, or slow work because shortcuts and drawing standards were never learned. Employers notice these gaps quickly.
Structured training closes them. BOTI’s CAD courses follow a logical order and give delegates practical exercises they can apply straight away:
- AutoCAD Essentials (2D) (3 days) covers the core 2D drafting tools: drawing and editing, layers, annotation and dimensions, and preparing drawings to print.
- AutoCAD Advanced Course (3 days) is for users who already work in AutoCAD and want to work faster and more consistently.
- Autodesk Revit Architecture Essentials (3 days) is for architectural teams moving to building information modelling.
- AutoCAD Civil 3D Essentials Training (4 days) is for civil design and infrastructure work.
- Autodesk Inventor Essentials Course (3 days) is for mechanical and product design.
If you are new to CAD, the BOTI guide What is AutoCAD? explains what the software does. The article on AutoCAD for students looks at using student access to support your studies.
Frequently asked questions
What is Autodesk Education?
Autodesk Education is Autodesk’s programme that gives eligible students, educators and educational institutions access to Autodesk software, such as AutoCAD and Revit, for learning and teaching.
Who can use Autodesk educational software?
Students enrolled at a recognised educational institution, educators who teach related subjects, and educational institutions can apply. Autodesk sets the eligibility rules and asks you to confirm your status, so check its current terms before you apply.
Can I use an Autodesk education licence for paid work?
Educational licences are intended for learning, teaching and academic work, not commercial projects. A business producing drawings for clients needs the appropriate commercial licences. Read Autodesk’s licence terms if you are unsure.
Does BOTI offer AutoCAD training for teams?
Yes. BOTI runs AutoCAD Essentials (2D), AutoCAD Advanced and Autodesk Revit, Civil 3D and Inventor courses. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online.
Is BOTI’s AutoCAD training accredited?
No. BOTI’s AutoCAD and Autodesk courses are professional skills programmes, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
Train your team in AutoCAD with BOTI
Once you have practised on educational software, the next step for workplace use is BOTI’s AutoCAD Essentials (2D) course. Training runs in-house at your premises, at BOTI’s venue in Sunningdale, Johannesburg, or live online. Call BOTI on 011 882 8853 or email [email protected], or request a quote. This course is not accredited. It is delivered as a professional skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of attendance.
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