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“What’s the Difference Between Adobe Student Editions vs. Regular?”
What Are the Limitations of the Adobe Student & Teacher Versions?
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It’s now mid-March, is it worth waiting a month or two (or more) for the release of CS6 over CS5 student edition? I just started a graphic design school program and I want to get the student edition. However, I’m not sure if it’s worth waiting or just getting CS5 now. The pricing is pretty good right now. I’m not sure if the CS6 student edition will have the exact same student pricing or will be substantially higher than what CS5 student is going for now?
I would rather save a $100 or more and go with CS5 if the features aren’t that much different. Unless there’s something HUGE coming out in terms of features? Can someone explain the new features of CS6 and is it worth the wait and potentially higher price of being a new release?
Hi Brian, those are good questions – but there’s been no news on this yet so we can’t know for sure on either the existence or pricing of CS6 student editions…
For a more in-depth answer, please see these comments from Moe and response.
Thanks for the response and link. I guess I’m not the only one contemplating on waiting or buying now. In your experience however, does the “student and teacher” pricing drop towards the end of a CS version’s life cycle? Right now I can buy CS5.5 student for $339. In past releases, does the student & teacher’s version stay around that price even in the beginning of when it’s newly released? Or should I expect to pay hundreds more since it will be so new and then the price will slowly drop until the next release?
I’m new to this and I have no record of pricing trends. I “think” I would much rather save money (if the difference is substantial) and get a CS suite towards the end of its life rather then spending much more for a newly released version. PLEASE help me with your insight. Thanks!
Sure Brian, it’s a great question. Right now Adobe is offering up to $200 off the education editions (with coupon code) and this will go back to normal price soon.
And in our experience, it is unlikely that Adobe will offer the same discounts or coupons on a brand new CS6 edition. Typically when they release new software, the biggest promotion offered is free shipping, as they’re doing now for Lightroom 4.
What CS6 pricing and availability will be is completely unknown. However, you can take a look at all the original CS5.5 pricing (including student versions) and compare them to what you have now, if that helps.
I have a quick question about license transfer after upgrade if you are able to answer it :)
If I have qualified for and bought a student edition license for a creative suite now (ie. 5.5) and I buy the commercial upgrade to CS6 when it is released in a month or two, if I then decide I want to transfer my license to someone else will that be ok? I’m not planning on selling it but rather giving it to a friend.
My own understanding is that when I upgrade through the commercial pricing I then have a full commercial license for the software which overrides the previous education license. I should therefore be able to transfer my license to my friend who is not a student?
(in the UK if this makes a difference)
Thanks!
Hey there Jonny, thanks for your question. But sorry to say, Adobe’s student editions are not transferable in any way…
Further, once you upgrade to a new release, you can’t transfer or give away your previous (older) version – they need to stay together.
Sorry the answer isn’t what you hoped, but that’s the way it works!
Thank you for such a beautiful site. My question is this: How do I buy the Adobe Master Collection and have a permanent licence? I run a graphics and editing organisation and dont want to pay yearly for any renewals. Is this possible?
And also, can this same purchase run for 3 or more computers?
Welcome Di, thank you for your kind words. Absolutely it’s possible to buy the software permanently, no matter how many copies you need or where you live – and without any recurring charges or renewals.
Just go to the online Adobe Store for your geography. Then choose your country and…
For single user, select “For home or home office”
For an educational user, select “For student or teacher”
Or for multiple users, select “For businesses”
With Adobe’s Volume Licensing Program (the last choice and the one you’ll need) the more copies you buy, the greater the discounts – and the license maintenence is greatly simplified.
To buy perpetual (permanent) licenses, you would just avoid anything that says “subscription” or “cloud.” Don’t worry, it will be clear and easy.
Hope this helps – but just post back if you have any further questions!
Yay!!! The CS6 Photoshop Beta is out!!! It’s also free to try!
This is good news because it should be an indication that the full versions are around the corner. :)
Hello again Brain, thanks for your comment. We love the PS CS6 beta release too… You’re right that the CS6 ship date is visible from here – and what’s more, anyone who buys or upgrades to CS5.5 now will get CS6 for free.
Hi, thanks for the quick response. I’m wondering this. I’m interested in the educational version since I’m a student. Is it true that if you get a version, say 5.5, you’ll only get a special offer once to upgrade to the next version (in this case since CS6 is so near, it would be free but would that count as the 1 level up upgrade)?
Then every after version, will be substantially more? If this is the case, would it be better for me to wait to get CS6 as my first version then sort of future proof myself with a reduced upgrade to CS7? I’m not sure if I’m making sense? LOL
Oh, any news yet as to the release of CS6?
Good questions Brian, and yes, if you buy CS5.5 now at CS5 prices (education versions included), then you get a free upgrade to CS6 when it comes out.
So if you take advantage of that offer, then at that point you will be a full owner of Creative Suite 6. And CS6 (not CS5) will be your starting point for future upgrades – say to CS6.5, CS7, CS8, etc.
As for news and dates on the release of CS6? Yes, we have some – here you go:
Adobe: CS6 to Ship “Late in Q2″ with Very Compelling New Features
Hope that answers your questions, if not just post back!
I have purchased the Adobe CS5 software and it arrived today, the educational discount version. I have been developing and teaching this material for the last 10 years, at a local Christian School. I built the original docs on my InDesign CS2, and continued with CS4, which I purchased as an upgrade about 2 yrs. Ago. Each time I sent in my validation and got the educational discount. Now I am teaching it personally to a group of homeschooled students here in town. It is also being taught by another teacher at a Christian School in San Antonio, to a class of seniors.
I have a letter from the parents of the students here, and also a letter from the San Antonio school. It is not a paycheck stub, but a letter validating my participation in the education of these students. I have charged only for the printing costs, as this is my opportunity to have another teacher beta test the product for me and give me essential feedback for future publication, and I’m teaching it myself to for the same reason, improvement.
Will Adobe accept these documents? I don’t want to open the packaging until I”m sure they will allow me to have the serial numbers I need.
Regards,
Marcia Stewart
Greetings Marcia – homeschooled students and their teachers are definitely covered by Adobe’s educational software discount terms – just carefully follow their eligibilty requirements and you should qualify…
If you have any doubt, then you’re right that it’s best not to open the software until you’re sure – although don’t worry because Adobe usually accepts their products back for refund within 30 days regardless.
As far as whether they will accept your paperwork or if you need anything else, your best bet would be to just contact Customer Service directly and inquire what exactly they would need from you as a homeschooling teacher to receive the 80%-off academic discounts.
Also please note that now, anybody who purchases Creative Suite 5 in the coming weeks will also receive a free upgrade to CS6 when it comes out.
Hope this helps!
You wrote: “Also please note that now, anybody who purchases Creative Suite 5 in the coming weeks will also receive a free upgrade to CS6 when it comes out.”
Does that include products bought from third parties, like Amazon?
Hello again, see this previous comment and response for the answer on that.
I bought the Student & Teacher version at the end of January, beginning of February 2012 – will I be eligible for the CS6 Free upgrade?
Also, can I get the Photoshop CS6 beta version?
Hi Sandi, thanks for your question. Here are the terms for the free upgrade offer – it started on March 26th, so regrettably your purchase two months ago wouldn’t qualify, sorry about that…
However, good news on the Photoshop CS6 beta – you can absolutely and instantly download it for free.
So, just to clarify, if I buy a student version it will not expire and I can continue to use it even after I have graduated? This is the only thing that has prevented me from buying and I can’t seem to get a clear answer.
OK, sure Becca – here are some 100% certain answers for you regarding your Adobe education edition for students and teachers:
(1) It will not expire.
(2) You can continue to use it after you graduate.
(3 – bonus) It’s usable for commercial purposes as well.
(4 – double bonus) It’s upgradeable to the regular versions.
Is that hopefully clear enough?
If I buy the student version and I get a new computer, am I able to unauthorize the old pc to install it on the new one? Or will I be required to purchase a new copy of CS5 again?
No problem Dave, you’re good – just follow this guide:
How to Move Adobe Software From One Computer to Another
And it works perfectly for the student editions as well.
BTW if you weren’t aware, anybody who buys Creative Suite 5 from Adobe right now will get a free upgrade to CS6, and for a short while longer there’s even a 10% off coupon.
Hope that answers it, if not then just post back!
I live and teach in Japan in the Japanese school system. Since my workplace is Japan I assume I must also purchase Photoshop CS5 Extended from the Japanese store (at double the U.S. Price). Is this correct? If I do the product will be Japanese, though it should (I hope) have an English default. My computer is English OS Windows.
Also, if I buy Photoshop CS5 Extended in Japan must I also purchase all my upgrades from the Japanese store (at almost double the U.S. upgrade price)? I have credit cards from North America so wonder if that would allow future upgrades to be purchased from the North American site.
Thanks
Hey there Wayne, thanks for your comment. As far as we know, each country would have its own way/list for validating your education institution, so it would make sense that it be localized… For example, in the U.S. the school needs to be accredited by an association that is recognized by a federal or state department of education here, and you would probably have difficulty specifying a school in Japan for that. Upgrades might be a different story since there would be no institution eligibility requirement.
But in any event, you should probably contact Adobe to confirm.
@ ProDesignTools
-Are there any specific versions that this is only applied to? Like if I buy the standard version do I not get upgrades? Or do I only get “standard” upgrades?
-How long will the opportunity to buy CS5 or CS5.5 be available?
-Are all of the versions of Adobe products (student editions also) taxable?
Welcome Josh, all purchases now of CS5 (Photoshop/Illustrator) or CS5.5 (everything else) direct from Adobe will get the free upgrade to CS6 – all of them.
But, hurry because Adobe just announced the CS6 Launch Date and as soon as it’s out, you won’t be able to buy Creative Suite 5 from them any longer with the offer – all products and pricing will move to CS6!
Lastly yes, as far as we know, all purchases are taxable unless you have tax-exempt status.
Hope this helps!
Thank you for your response!
So just for clarification, I have until the release date of CS6 to be able to use the offer?
Sure Josh… Technically the offer is valid until May 6th, but Adobe may stop selling CS5.5 at any time before that (as soon as CS6 arrives) – so you’re better off not waiting if you want to make sure to take advantage.
@ ProDesignTools
Thanks for the chat link. I got in touch with Adobe via chat and was told that, yes, I had to go through the Japanese Adobe Store for the academic discount. So I pay double the U.S. price.
Initially he told me that I had to upgrade in Japan as well but then took a few minutes to check for sure. He found that if I register my account in Canada with a North American email address, then I can upgrade from the North American site. I just need to get a cross-language upgrade if my initial one is in Japanese.
Hmmm… can I download the English version from the North American site and get the academic discount through Japan? I should have asked that while I was chatting. Would save going through a cross-language hassle.
Hello again Wayne, glad to hear we gave you all the right answers! :) And thanks for circling back to share the rest of the story. To answer your final question – yes, you can definitely buy the English version from Japan, via either instant download or shrinkwrapped box… English is usually an option in most International Adobe Stores, so really it’s up to you which you want to get now.
If you go with the Japanese version, then you can do the cross-language upgrade later to switch to English if you like, as you thought. Enjoy the new software!
I´m eligible to purchase an Adobe Student Edition software, but I´m going to graduate at the end of May. I don´t have my own computer yet, but I´m going to buy the software before I graduate.
I have thought it would be the best choice for me to select the “ship the box to me” -option when I`m ordering the product on your website.
So, if I get the software in a box, should it even be installed on some computer BEFORE I graduate?
In other words: if the software installing box is shipped to me, and I don´t install it on any computer before I graduate, does the student licence expire?
It would be more comfortable for me to wait a little bit longer before I purchase a new computer.
Welcome Paula, good for you for grabbing that before you graduate… As you see above, you can definitely continue to use the software once you’re out of school!
To answer your question – no, you do not need to install the software for the license to work.
All you need to do after buying it is to validate your student eligibility… Then they will send you a permanent serial number and you can install the product at your leisure. And, it will not expire.
Hope this answers it, if not then just post back!
Right now i am a couple years out of college and looking to spruce up my resume and acquire certifications in several Adobe progams and perhaps change my career direction. I do not have the money to buy the full-priced software. Here is my dilemma: My father is a middle school teacher, would that make me eligilble for the Student & Teacher Editions?
Also, is there a difference between the student/teacher edition and this so called “educator” edition which is being offered on eBay for a really low rate (comparable to the s&t edition). Is it a safe bet to purchase this; am I eligible for the STE or should I buy an earlier edition of CS to help me learn the ropes?
Thoughts? Thank you in advance!
Hi Chris, thanks for your questions. There are some very clear answers here.
First off, you would not be eligible to purchase and use Adobe’s education versions, but your father would. If you would like to be eligible for the discounted software yourself, then it could be as simple as enrolling for a class that’s valuable to you at your local community college.
On your second question, the advice is also very clear. There is no such thing as an “educator’s edition” and you should absolutely stay away from any purported Adobe software you see on places like eBay or Craigslist. It is almost guaranteed to be counterfeit and unsafe to install, which is why it’s at such a “low rate.”
The best price you can ever get on authentic Adobe software is always for the Student & Teacher Edition. And getting that discount on the genuine article always requires proper validation, unlike what you’d see at an untrusted and anonymous bazaar like eBay.
Hope this helps.
Yes it does! Thank you for your help!
Greetings from the Maine wood,
I was an adjunct instructor at the University of Maine, Augusta, and used to get my Photoshop upgrades through the college bookstore. I haven’t taught for a few years because of a health issue, but I’m going to begin working on updated “Intro to Digital Imaging and Adobe Photoshop” and “Adventures in Photoshop,” which are the names of the seminars I used to teach other professionals in my studio, and hopefully again in a PhotoTech program. I do have to catch up with Photoshop CS6 and the new fetures in order to get my knowledge of Photoshop up to speed.
Because it will not longer be available at the college bookstore, am I eligible to purchase CS6 and Lightroom 4 from Adobe (I do have the edu version of CS2 currently. Because I was unable to work, I couldn’t afford to “splurge” on the upgrades -which was hell!)?
Thanks,
Ron Simons
Welcome Ron, thanks for stopping by and hope your return to education is a fruitful one! Whether you qualify for Adobe’s teacher discount depends entirely on whether you are currently or will soon be (re-)employed by the university (or similar accredited institution)…
If so, then just follow the eligibility terms and you can easily buy the discounted software direct from Adobe.
For more details check our updated article:
How to Save 75% with New Adobe CS6 Student & Teacher Editions
HI.
I attend full time Uni, and just purchased CS5.5 Design Premium (student version) from Adobe, which I understand includes a free upgrade to CS6 Design & Web Premium. I purchased on 4th May, so this was within the offer period. Does this allow me to have CS5.5 installed on one of my home computers, and CS6 installed on another within my private home network? Thanks.
Hey there Brett, nice work on the free upgrade – and that’s a great question… The answer is:
(a) Each Adobe suite can be installed on up to two of your computers, and…
(b) When running multiple versions after an upgrade, those two machines must be the same for both releases.
Hope that addresses what you wanted to know, if not then just post back!
hi,
a college friend who lost interest in photography gave me his Photoshop CS5, S&T edition a year back and got hooked to it ever since. my question is: can i safely & legally upgrade this to a commercial version of CS6 using my own adobe account and not my friend’s?
Hello Warren, thank you for stopping by… As Adobe’s education/student editions are nontransferable, we would have to say no, unfortunately.
Hi, great site, here. I may have missed the questions if someone asked them before, but I’m wondering if,
1- I use two computers on a regular basis: would the student edition allow me to use it on both?
2- I expect to eventually replace my computer: would I be able to transfer the CS to the new one?
Thanks!
Hi Nick, thanks for your questions… Here are the answers:
1 – Yes, you should be able to run the Adobe Student Editions on up to two systems,
and,
2 – Yes, when needed you will be able to transfer your software between machines.
Hope that answers your question thoroughly, if not then just post back!
Hi, love your site.
I’m thinking of getting an educational suite and a separate educational title, will Adobe allow me to do that? I’ve read that they only allow one title per platform per year, does it mean I can only buy 1 of that particular suite per year? Or 1 educational product per year?
Greetings Jonathan, thank you for your kind words. The answer is, one of each title per year. So you could one of each suite plus each of the individual tools per year, if you were so inclined – since they are all different titles.
In other words, you should have no problem at all doing what you described.
Hope that answers it for you, if you have any further questions then just post back!
@ ProDesignTools
Thanks for the prompt reply. Appreciate it!