DreamSpark - Free Software for all UK Students

Today sees the launch of our DreamSpark programme allowing students around the world to download a selection of full Microsoft products for free.

DreamSpark is available to students in the UK as well as many other countries (with more to follow shortly) and includes the following products:

Developer Tools:

  • Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition image
  • Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
  • XNA Game Studio 2.0
  • 12-month Academic membership of the XNA Creators Club

Designer Tools:

  • Expression Web
  • Expression Blend
  • Expression Design
  • Expression Media

Platform:

  • SQL Server 2005 Developer Edition
  • Windows Server, Standard Edition

Each piece of software is the full product licensed for academic use and is available for instant download from the DreamSpark Web Site. All you have to do is visit the site, login with a Live ID, verify your student status (you must be in higher education) and download the software!

You can verify your student status using your Athens ID, ISIC number or University Authentication (where available) - if you have any problems verifying then please use this form to log a support request.image

One of my favourite things about DreamSpark is the inclusion of XNA Creators Club memberships, this is the first time we have made these available to students for free so you can now build and deploy games onto your Xbox 360 without having to break into your student loan.

You can find out more about XNA along with how you set up your 360 for deploying your XNA games at the XNA Creators Club Web site.

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself over to DreamSpark now and get yourself some free Microsoft software...

Plus don't forget Microsoft is also offering free Web Hosting to UK students in partnership with Webfusion. To find out more click here or email me to get your unique sign up code.

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