Getting Started with MATLAB

MatLab is a computing language used by engineers and scientists for numeric computation, data analysis, and data visualization.

Students, faculty and staff can download and activate MATLAB free of charge. Faculty members needing multiple installations for a lab can contact the IT Help Desk.

Create a MathWorks Account

Before installing MATLAB, create your MathWorks account and activate your license. When prompted, enter your UARK email address and select either “Student use” or “Teaching or research in school,” as appropriate.

When prompted to enter the Activation Key or License Number field, enter the University of Arkansas activation key (login required to view key).

Download and Activate MATLAB

  1. Download the MATLAB installer (MathWorks login required).
  2. Follow the instructions to activate the installation.
  3. If prompted, click Yes in the Windows User Access Control window.
    Note: It might be necessary to enter your computer's administrator password.

Once the installation process is completed, you can open MATLAB from the Start menu (Windows) or the Applications folder (Mac).

Error: My Copy of MATLAB Is Not Activated

If you did not enter the MATLAB activation key when creating your MathWorks account, you can activate it now by doing the following:

  1. Log into mathworks.com/licensecenter with your MathWorks account information.
  2. Click Associate License in the top right.
  3. In the Activation Key or License Number field, enter the University of Arkansas activation key (login required to view key).
  4. Click Associate License.

Appropriate Use and Export Control

MATLAB software is export controlled under federal regulation export control classification number (ECCN) 5D992.c. This classification allows for hand carrying, shipping, or accessing MATLAB and/or computing devices with MATLAB installed outside the U.S. with No License Required (NLR) except to Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Syria, China, Russia, the contested regions of Ukraine (Crimea - Donbas - Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya), and Sudan. University of Arkansas faculty, staff, students, and other persons acting as representatives of the university from these countries can have access if the software is not accompanied by production, development, and use (as defined in 15 CFR § 772.1) of technical data.

For more information, visit the University of Arkansas Export Control website, or contact the Export Control Officer at exports@uark.edu.

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