Adobe Creative Cloud
Access professional tools for graphics, photography, video, audio, PDFs, presentations, and digital content through Boston University’s Adobe Creative Cloud program.
ACCESS & LICENSING
Get Your Adobe Creative Cloud License
Adobe Creative Cloud access is available through BU. Eligibility and cost depend on your University role. Request your subscription before attempting to install the software.
Students
Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students are eligible for a University-sponsored Creative Cloud license.
NO CHARGE
Questrom Faculty
Faculty whose primary teaching appointment is at Questrom are eligible for a University-sponsored Creative Cloud license.
NO CHARGE
Staff & Other Eligible Users
Staff, researchers, and faculty outside participating schools may obtain Creative Cloud through a BU Internal Service Request.
BU-PAID LICENSE MAY APPLY
GET STARTED
Install Adobe Creative Cloud
Wait until BU confirms that your subscription has been activated, then install the Creative Cloud Desktop app and choose the individual Adobe applications you need.
01
Request Access
Submit the BU Creative Cloud request form and wait for confirmation that your subscription is active.
02
Sign In
On Adobe’s sign-in page, enter your full BU email address and choose Company or School Account when prompted.
03
Install Creative Cloud
Download and install the Adobe Creative Cloud Desktop app on your computer.
04
Choose Your Apps
Open Creative Cloud, select Apps, and install only the Adobe applications you want to use.
CREATIVE TOOLS
What Can You Create?
Creative Cloud brings together professional tools for visual design, documents, video, audio, and digital content creation.
Graphics & Images
Create and edit photos, graphics, illustrations, and visual assets using tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator.
Video & Motion
Edit video, create motion graphics, and produce multimedia content with Premiere Pro and After Effects.
Documents & Layout
Create and edit PDFs with Acrobat or build professional multi-page layouts with InDesign.
Quick Digital Content
Use Adobe Express for faster creation of graphics, social content, flyers, presentations, short videos, and other web-based content.
INCLUDED APPLICATIONS
Popular Creative Cloud Apps
Your Creative Cloud subscription gives you access to a broad collection of Adobe applications. Install only the tools that fit your work.
Photoshop
Photo editing, image manipulation, graphics, and digital art.
Illustrator
Vector graphics, illustrations, logos, diagrams, and scalable artwork.
Acrobat Pro
Create, edit, organize, and manage PDF documents and workflows.
Premiere Pro
Professional video editing and post-production.
InDesign
Design multi-page documents, reports, publications, and layouts.
Adobe Firefly
Quick web-based content creation and Adobe generative AI tools.
SIGN-IN HELP
Make Sure You're Using Your BU Adobe Account
Adobe can treat a personal Adobe ID and your BU school account as separate accounts, even when they use the same email address.
Choose Company or School Account
When signing in, enter your full BU email address. If Adobe asks you to choose an account type, select Company or School Account. You will then be redirected to BU Login.
Sign out of Creative Cloud, then sign back in using your BU email address and Company or School Account.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Quick Answers
Do I need to pay for Adobe Creative Cloud?
Students and Questrom faculty with a primary teaching appointment are currently eligible for a University-sponsored Creative Cloud license at no charge. Other roles may require a BU-funded license.
Do I need to install every Adobe application?
No. Install the Creative Cloud Desktop app first, then choose only the individual Adobe applications you need.
Which account should I choose when Adobe asks “Personal” or “Company or School”?
Choose Company or School Account and continue through BU Login. Your personal Adobe ID is separate from your BU-sponsored Adobe account.
What if Creative Cloud says my license or activation failed?
Sign out of Creative Cloud and sign back in with your full BU email address, choosing Company or School Account when prompted.
Need Help with Adobe Creative Cloud?
Having trouble requesting your license, installing Creative Cloud, or signing into your BU Adobe account? Use BU’s Adobe documentation or contact the IT Help Center for assistance.
Get IT Support
questromhelp@bu.edu
Visit The Helpdesk
617-353-9858
Mon – Thurs: 8am – 6pm
Friday: 8am – 5pm