Questions about student version: update, activation, addons etc.

I am currently using R2008b student version and I think about upgrading to R2015a. Back then R2008b was 50 EUR, R2015a is now 70 EUR. Is there an upgrade or is "buy new" the only option?

Second: Does R2015a need to be re-activated from time to time or is the activation only required upon installation? Specifically: I also run Mathematica (over my university) and here the license is only valid for 6 months and then I need to re-activate which I discourage. By contrast, my current R2008b needs to be activated after installation but afterwards. Did there change anything to R2015a?

Third: Do I need to add addon products when ordering MATLAB itself or can I order specifical toolboxes afterwards as needed?

And fourth: I have read that the student version includes 1 year of upgrade assurance but additional assurance can be bought. Where can it be bought and what is the cost?

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

Buy new is the only option after that long.

Historically, there was an option to purchase Student Version licenses for a term (8 months if I recall correctly) after which it expired. I do not know if that option still exists. The option that is described in the documentation that I see is for a license that is good for as long as the student remains enrolled in an an approved degree-granting institution (or high school.) I have not heard of any technical mechanism to enforce the restriction.

You can order add-ons afterwards; however if your SMS has expired then you might not be permitted to order the add-on. Even for the full commercial version of MATLAB you only have about 1 year after the end of your SMS to order additional toolboxes against your license that is no longer under SMS.

I cannot speak to the means for ordering additional SMS; it will not show me that menu as my account is not eligible for Student Version.