MATLAB

All faculty, researchers, students, and staff are eligible to download and install Matlab on their personally-owned computers, university-issued computers, or use Matlab Online in a web browser.

Please note that commercial use of MathWorks products is not covered by our Campus-Wide License; if you are using a separate commercial license, please continue to do so. 

To download or use MATLAB online:

  1. Go to the University of Waterloo’s MATLAB Portal.

  2. Click Sign in to get started under the Get MATLAB and Simulink section. 

    1. If you have an existing MathWorks account (set up with your UWaterloo email), use your UWaterloo username@uwaterloo.ca to log in.

    2. If you do not have an existing MathWorks account or your MathWorks account was not set up with a UWaterloo email address, create an account using your UWaterloo email address.

  3. Once your account is set up, you will be linked to our MATLAB license and will be able to:

  • Download and activate the software on your personal computer.

  • Start using MATLAB Online from a Web browser without installing anything.

To renew an existing license:

If you are a current MATLAB user, can renew your MATLAB license as follows:

How to update the MATLAB license File on multiple machines

If you haven’t already, submit a ticket to request permission to obtain MATLAB Designated Computer Licenses at: STEM Applications - Information Systems and Technology - Jira Service Management (atlassian.net)  

For computers with internet connection

  1. Log into machine with administrative privileges

  2. Open MATLAB and you should get a prompt, stating the license has expired.

  3. When prompted to sign in, the person with the MATLAB Designated Computer License permissions, can sign in

  4. Once signed in, it should prompt to choose the 3 different licenses:

    1. Designated Computer

    2. MATLAB Individual

    3. MATLAB Concurrent

  5. Choose Designated Computer and it should re-authenticate the license

For computers with no internet connection

  1. The person with the MATLAB Designated Computer License permissions, can sign in and provide the user with the license file.

  2. Sign into the MATHWORKS License Centre: https://www.mathworks.com/licensecenter)

  3. Click MATLAB (Designated Computer) License Number

  4. Go to Install and Activate and choose the specific machine that needs to be updated

  5. Click Get License File

  6. Choose the specific version of MATLAB

  7. You will be provided with an option to download the license file or to email it to the listed owner of the machine.

Where can I learn more?

  • Access free, self-paced training to get started in less than 2 hours: MATLAB Onramp

  • If you have trouble installing MATLAB, go to the MATLAB Portal and click 'Need Installation Help' to get support. 

Help and Support:

For the following support, please submit a help request and select “STEM applications” for the topic for which you require assistance.  

  • Campus IT administrators with labs/managed computers

  • Alternate activation methods, such as a shared computer that needs a standalone license

  • Anyone who needs to be added to a specialized license (Parallel Server, Roadrunner, etc)

MathWorks has a comprehensive Knowledge Base for other help articles:

Related articles

Need help?

Contact the IST Service Desk online or 519-888-4567 ext. 44357.