Walter Roberson on 1 Oct 2017
Mathworks has never offered a free version.
There was a 4.something version of MATLAB included with an old Prentice-Hall book, but you needed to buy the book. Mathworks has offered some individual MATLAB licenses as prizes for occasional contests.
Mathworks has historically (and perhaps might still) offered 8 month or 1 year student licenses, but those had to be paid for.
Some universities have offered students academic licenses under Total Academic Headcount licenses; those might have expiry dates. Someone has to pay for those, such as indirectly through student fees.
MOOC courses might include a time-limited MATLAB for people who pay for the courses.
All student licenses are valid only during the time the student is enrolled at a degree-granting institution (or secondary school.)
Mathworks offers personal license under the Home License program. Those are more expensive than student licenses but much less expensive than commercial licenses. Those licenses may not be used to earn income.
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Rampalsingh Chouhan on 8 Jan 2018
o download from their site I mean, without needing to be given a product key from university. My university doesn't give us a key for matlab unfortunately.
Steven Lord on 8 Jan 2018
It is possible to download MATLAB from our website. Just go to the store section of the website (using the "How to Buy" link in the upper-right corner of this page) and purchase MATLAB using your credit card. Once you've done that you will be sent instructions on how to download and install it.
Image Analyst on 8 Jan 2018
I already answered that below stevesy55's comment (below, which you copied).
Walter Roberson on 8 Feb 2018
Also, people who are writing books about MATLAB can sometimes join the Book Program, which offers a limited time no-cost license. Mathworks would have to judge that it is realistic that you would be writing a book.
