Frequently Asked Questions

About Software4Students

  1. Who can buy software at Software4Students?
  2. Why are products so much cheaper at Software4Students?
  3. Why should I buy at Software4Students?
  4. Why do I need to register at Software4Students?

About our software

  1. Do I need to have a version of Windows on my PC before I can upgrade to XP Pro or Vista Business?
  2. Can I buy more than one copy of each application?
  3. Can I download the software I need directly from your website?
  4. Will my software still belong to me when I leave school or college?
  5. What is the difference between the different versions of Office?
  6. Do Microsoft Student products provide the same functionality as those available through the retail market?
  7. How many computers can I install the software on?

About Adobe software

  1. Who is eligible to purchase Adobe Products?
  2. What do I have to do to prove I am eligible?
  3. Where is my product key?
  4. Can I buy more than one copy of each application?
  5. Will my software still belong to me when I leave school or college?
  6. Can I return Adobe software for a refund if I cannot prove eligibility?
  7. Where can I get support for Adobe software?

About payment

  1. How can I pay for my order and is buying online safe?
  2. Will I receive an order confirmation?

About delivery

  1. How are the Microsoft products shipped?
  2. How soon can I expect my software to be delivered?
  3. Are there any restrictions on where my order can be shipped?

About Support

  1. Do you provide support for the software?
  2. Where can we get support for our Microsoft software?
  3. How do I get free support?
  4. How do I get assisted support?

About Software4Students

Who can buy software at Software4Students?

This site is for students and their parents and is intended to supply low-cost software for home use. The licensee of the products is required to be a University, College or School student in the Republic of Ireland or Northen Ireland.

Why are products so much cheaper at Software4Students?

Software4Students is a programme designed with Microsoft to help students and parents access professional versions of software for home use. As a gold certified partner and a Education Large Account Reseller we are in a position to offer hugely discounted Microsoft software to students and their parents to encourage the use of ICT to boost learning and achievement. These unbeatable deals stem from our strong, long-term relationship with Microsoft - and they benefit everyone!

Why should I buy at Software4Students?

Software4Students programme is a combination of many things. It's not about JUST supporting ICT in schools, or saving pupils money, or making more software available, or making the same school license deals available to pupils. It's a mix of all of these things, and ultimately every time a single pupil buys a bit of software through the scheme today:

  • the school gets a small rebate
  • the parent/pupil/student saves money
  • the pupil gets more software than if they'd bought a similar pack in store
  • and pupils are encouraged to use ICT a little bit more for their learning

    Why do I need to register at Software4Students?

    Because our special educational discounts are only available to learners - and their parents - who are current students of the schools that are associated with this initiative. So we need you to register and agree to our terms and conditions. Registration is really easy and you only have to do it once. Next time you visit Software4Students, you can just use your login name and password to start shopping straight away!

    Return to Top

    About our software

    Do I need to have a version of Windows on my PC before I can upgrade to XP Pro or Vista Business?

    Yes. Under Software4Students programme Microsoft provides students with an upgrade license to use operating system software. For a list of supported upgrade paths please check here. Microsoft restricts volume licensing programs to operating system upgrade products. If you need the full system product, you will have to buy it commercially.

    Can I buy more than one copy of each application?

    No, under the terms of the programme each student is entitled to one copy only of each version of the software.

    Can I download the software I need directly from your website?

    No. We only supply full-media Microsoft products. When we say full-media software we mean we supply you with CD or DVD discs and a licensing key that you use to install the software.

    Will my software still belong to me when I leave school or college?

    Yes, the license offered to you by Microsoft is a perpetual license and does not expire when you cease to be a student. You can still use the products after you graduate or leave college.

    What is the difference between the different versions of Office?

    Please follow this link for a comparison: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/suites/FX101635841033.aspx

    Do Microsoft Student products provide the same functionality as those available through the retail market?

    Yes, a product purchased through Software4Students offers the same functionality as a product purchased through the retail market and in some cases more functionality. For example the student and teachers version that you would buy online or in shops is the limited Home & Student version. This does not include Outlook, Access, or Publisher - these are only available on the Professional Versions, which is what we provide through Software4Students. This may be less important to primary schools, but in secondary schools Access is required to deliver the ICT curriculum, so schools may prefer students to be able to buy this for home. If a student wants to buy Access separately, it will typically cost �120-�150 elsewhere.

    How many computers can I install the software on?

    You may:

    (a) install and use a copy of the Software on one personal computer or other device;

    (b) install an additional copy of the Software on a second, portable device for the exclusive use of the primary user of the first copy of the Software.

    Please note for Operating System software (e.g. Windows 7) you are only eligible to install the software on ONE computer, this is for operating system software only.

    Return to Top

    About Adobe software

    Who is eligible to purchase Adobe Products?

    Full or part-time students enrolled at a university or college, or students enrolled full-time in a secondary school.

    What do I have to do to prove I am eligible?

    You will receive a boxed product which contains an authorisation form. Students must return this form to Adobe and provide a valid, current student ID that includes name, date, and a photo. If you do not have a current student ID with your name, date and photo, you must instead provide and valid photo ID and evidence of current enrolment.

    Where is my product key?

    Before you can install the software, you must obtain the product key from Adobe by submitting proof of your eligibility.

    Can I buy more than one copy of each application?

    No, under the terms of the programme each student is entitled to one copy only of each version of the software.

    Will my software still belong to me when I leave school or college?

    Yes, the license offered to you by Adobe is a perpetual license and does not expire when you cease to be a student. You can still use the products for non-commercial use after you graduate or leave college.

    Can I return Adobe software for a refund if I cannot prove eligibility?

    We are unable to accept returned Adobe software once its been opened. Please ensure you meet eligibility requirements before purchasing Adobe software. If you have purchased the software in error, you may return it to us within 10 business days if the software is unopened and undamaged. There is a 5.00 postage and handling charge for returned software.

    Where can I get support for Adobe software?

    Software4Students does not provide technical support for the installation or use of Adobe products. The best place for customers to get product support is http://www.adobe.com/support/.

    Return to Top

    About payment

    How can I pay for my order and is buying online safe?

    You can buy at Software4Students using your credit or debit card and the online transaction is totally safe. We use secure encrypted transmission of your payment details, so no-one can see or record your credit or debit card number. And we never store any payment card information.

    Will I receive an order confirmation?

    Yes. A sales receipt is sent automatically to you by email after you place your order.

    Return to Top

    How are the Microsoft products shipped?

    The media kits for the Microsoft products are shipped to you as soon as your order is received.

    How soon can I expect my software to be delivered?

    All orders are usually dispatched within 24 hours when the item is in stock. Most orders are received within 2-4 working days. Software4Students operate under strict license agreements and must therefore validate a number of orders. This could lead to a delay in the delivery of your order of up to 21 days (Please note, this happens in under 2% of cases). Please see our terms and conditions for further information.

    Are there restrictions on shipping addresses?

    Yes, shipping is available to Republic of Ireland and Northen Ireland addresses only.

    I have a question which does not appear here, what do I do?

    If, after reading through all the Frequently Asked Questions, you still require help, you can email our support team at support@software4students.ie

    Return to Top

    About Support

    Do you provide support for the software??

    Software4Students will provide answers to questions relating to the purchase of software from our site and queries on orders placed with us. We do not provide support on the installation or setup of software.

    Where can we get support for our Microsoft software?

    The best place for consumers to get support is http://support.microsoft.com. This is the hub for customers to get access to self-help support and assisted support. Please note, self help support is free, but you will need to pay for assisted support.

    How do I get free support?

    A direct link to the self-help (free) support, customers can go to http://support.microsoft.com/gp/hublist and select the product you need help with.

    How do I get assisted support?

    For a direct link to assisted (paid) support, customers can go here http://support.microsoft.com/gp/assistsupport. Please note that assisted support (i.e. talking to a support agent on the phone, via internet chat, or via e-mail) is only available from Microsoft for a charge.

    Return to Top