Access is not automatically included in a Toronto Tech Community College Office 365 student account

When you get an Office 365 account through Toronto Tech Community College (TTC), you receive Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote — but not Access. Access is the database management tool in the Office suite, and TTC's student license does not include it.

This matters because some courses or projects might ask you to use Access, and you need to know before you start work. The good news is there are ways to get it, and most of them cost nothing or very little.

Key Takeaways

  • TTC's Office 365 student account includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote, but not Access.
  • You can read a free trial of Access that lasts 30 days, which may be enough for a single course project.
  • If you need Access for longer, you can buy a one-time license for around $160 CAD, or subscribe to Microsoft 365 Personal for about $100 CAD per year.
  • Some TTC computer labs have Access installed on the machines, so you can use it there without buying anything.
  • Before you spend money, ask your instructor whether Access is truly required or whether Excel can do the same job for your assignment.

What comes with your TTC Office 365 account

Your TTC student account gives you the full desktop versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. You can install these on up to five devices — computers or tablets — and use them online or offline. You also get OneDrive storage and Outlook email through your TTC account.

Access is not part of this package. It never has been in the standard Office 365 student license, and TTC does not add it. If your course needs Access, you will need to find it separately.

Using the free 30-day trial of Access

Microsoft offers a free trial of Access that lasts 30 days. You can read it from the Microsoft website without a credit card, and it gives you the full version of the software with no restrictions during the trial period.

This works well if you have a single assignment or a short project due within a month. After 30 days, the software stops working unless you buy a license. If your course runs longer than that, or if you have multiple projects spread across the semester, the trial alone will not be enough.

Buying a permanent Access license

You can purchase Access as a standalone product — a one-time buy that you own forever. The price is usually around $160 CAD, though it varies by retailer and whether there is a sale running. Once you buy it, you can install it on one computer and use it as long as that computer exists.

This is the cheapest option if you only need Access once and do not plan to use it again after your course ends. However, if you think you might need other Office tools in the future, or if you want to use Access on multiple devices, a subscription might make more sense.

Subscribing to Microsoft 365 Personal

Microsoft 365 Personal is a yearly subscription that costs around $100 CAD per year and includes all Office applications — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, Publisher, and Outlook. You can install it on up to five devices and use it on Windows or Mac.

This is worth considering if you think you will need Access more than once, or if you want the flexibility to use all the Office tools. The subscription renews automatically each year, so you will need to cancel it if you do not want to keep paying after your course ends.

Using Access in the TTC computer labs

Many TTC campus computer labs have Access already installed on the machines. This means you can walk in, log into a lab computer, and use Access for free while you are there. You do not need to buy anything or install software on your own device.

Check with your campus IT department or your course instructor to find out which labs have Access and what the hours are. This is often the fastest solution if you only need to use Access for a few hours to complete an assignment.

Talking to your instructor before you buy

Before you spend money on Access, ask your instructor directly whether it is truly required for your course. Sometimes instructors list Access as a tool but will accept work done in Excel instead, especially if the database is small or straightforward.

Your instructor may also know about lab access, free trials, or other resources that TTC offers. They might even have a workaround that lets you complete the assignment without Access at all. It is always worth asking before you commit to a purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the free trial of Access while I am waiting to buy a license?

Yes. You can read the 30-day trial right away and use it while you decide whether to buy. If you know you will need Access beyond 30 days, you can purchase a license before the trial expires so there is no gap in your access to the software.

If I buy Access, can I use it after I graduate from TTC?

Yes. A one-time Access license or a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription belongs to you, not to TTC. You can keep using it after you finish your program. However, if your TTC email account gets deactivated, you may need to switch to a personal Microsoft account to keep the software working.

Does TTC offer any discounts on Office products for students?

TTC does not offer discounts on Office licenses beyond what Microsoft already provides. However, your student status may may have access to you for other Microsoft discounts — check the Microsoft Store or ask TTC's IT department whether any student pricing is available.

What if my course uses an older version of Access?

The current version of Access works with files from older versions, so you can usually open and edit them without problems. If your instructor gives you a file from Access 2010 or earlier, the current version will convert it automatically when you open it.

Can I share my Office 365 account with a classmate to split the cost?

No. Your TTC Office 365 account is for your use only, and sharing login credentials violates TTC's acceptable use policy. If a classmate needs Access, they will need their own license or trial.