New Classroom Accounts expand quantum access for educators - IBM

Quantum ResearchBlogNew Classroom Accounts expand quantum access for educatorsClassroom Accounts are a new way for educators to give large groups of students free, hands-on access to real quantum computers.Date28 May 2026AuthorsLeron GilSanskriti DevaRobert DavisTopicsCommunityShare this blogKey takeaways: Announced during the first IBM Quantum Education Day, Classroom Accounts allow educators to give students hands-on access to real quantum computers. Educators can onboard and manage 5-100 students with no credit card required, simplifying access to IBM Quantum Platform resources. Students gain real-device experience with allocated compute time to enable iterative learning and experimentation beyond simulators. Integrated with IBM Quantum Learning Modules, Classroom Accounts provide a complete, scalable pathway to teaching quantum computing in classrooms.

Introducing Classroom Accounts, a new resource that helps educators give entire classes of students hands-on access to IBM quantum computers. Launching today as part of the first ever IBM Quantum Education Day, Classroom Accounts help instructors integrate real quantum computers into their teaching without the friction of traditional onboarding. Request a Classroom Account here. IBM has spent over a decade giving students and educators open access to quantum computers over the cloud. But access alone is just the first step.

With Classroom Accounts, we build on that foundation by making it even easier for students to start running circuits and exploring core quantum concepts on IBM Quantum Platform. The moment where quantum computing really clicks in on a student is when they use real devices.— Daniel Sierra-Sosa, Assistant Professor at The Catholic University of America and Qiskit Advocate What are Classroom Accounts? A Classroom Account is a trial account purpose-built for educators. It enables them to provide and manage access to IBM Quantum resources for large cohorts of students within a single course. With a Classroom Account, educators can: Invite and onboard 5-100 students into a shared classroom environment Provide access with no credit card required for educators or students Give entire classrooms hands-on experience with real quantum computers Support coursework via the same platform used in cutting-edge R&D Create private open plan instances for each student and create instances in batches Each Classroom Account provides (1) access to IBM Quantum Platform under the Open Plan, (2) 10 minutes of system usage per student each month, and (3) a 365-day validity period. Educators can easily renew and manage classroom access as neededPlease note: Classroom accounts and instances are not eligible for the recently announced 180-minute Open Plan promotion, but users may create a separate, standard Open Plan account to qualify. Details here.. Who are Classroom Accounts for? Classroom Accounts are a valuable resource that can be useful across a range of academic settings. These include: Undergraduate courses introducing quantum computing concepts Graduate-level classes and laboratories requiring hands-on experimentation Instructors teaching multiple sections of the same course Programs incorporating quantum computing into STEM curricula Remote or hybrid classrooms where centralized access is essential How do educators get started? Educators can request a Classroom Account by filling out the form linked here. Classroom Accounts are intended to support the practical realities of teaching. They help educators: Simplify access for students with fewer administrative barriers to entry Provide hands-on learning at the course level, enabling entire classes to run experiments on real quantum hardware rather than relying on simulators Support iterative learning, where students test, refine, and build on their work over time Manage classrooms more effectively through centralized access for instructors and students, making it easier to support large classes or multiple sections Connect teaching with real-world tools, giving students experience with an environment used by real quantum developers With a solid foundation exploring real quantum computers—guided by an instructor and working alongside their fellow learners—students will be well prepared to move from structured course work to independent exploration and experimentation. These learning experiences will position them for future work developing quantum algorithms, hardware, and more as we enter the era of quantum advantage and large-scale fault-tolerant quantum computing. How to use Classroom Accounts on IBM Quantum Platform Once approved, you can begin inviting students and provisioning access directly from IBM Quantum Platform. The onboarding flow is designed to scale with your classroom. From the Access management page, you’ll be able to invite up to 100 students at once and automatically create an instance for each user—all in one easy step: Inviting users and creating instances: Classroom Account admins can invite multiple users at once and automatically create a separate Open Plan instance for each student. Admins can also define a naming schema to keep instances organized. After students are added, you can view and manage their instances directly from the Instances page. Viewing student instances and usage: Classroom Account admins have visibility into each student’s Open Plan instance, including usage, remaining allocation, and workload status. This centralized view allows you to: Track how much compute time each student has used Monitor activity across the entire class Quickly identify students who may need support Together, these features aim to reduce administrative overhead for instructors and keep students focused on learning and experimentation from day one. There's something very special about actually sending a job to a real quantum computer, getting the numbers back and…trying to interpret them.— Damien Pope, Outreach Scientist at Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics Beyond the accounts: Classroom modules Classroom Accounts pair with our growing library of educational modules, available under the Modules tab on IBM Quantum Learning. Modules are self-contained, interactive learning activities designed for physics, computer science, chemistry, and other subjects where quantum computing can enrich the curriculum. We currently offer 12 modules, with more on the way. You can use the modules we have as they are, or use them as inspiration to create Qiskit classroom modules of your own. Together, Classroom Accounts and Modules provide a complete on-ramp: the access, the materials, and the community to bring quantum computing into any relevant classroom. Get started today Quantum computers have never been more powerful or performant. And now, with Classroom Accounts, they’re more accessible than ever before. Submit your application today to take full advantage of that accessibility: Request a Classroom Account Explore Modules on IBM Quantum Platform (No account required.) We can’t wait to see how educators and students will use Classroom Accounts to expand access to quantum computing and support the next generation of learners.Build skills in quantum computingBrowse courses and tutorials(opens in a new tab)Keep exploringView all blogsQiskit Global Summer School 2026: Registration now openA decade of quantum on the cloudDoubling down on open-access quantum computingA look back at the International Year of Quantum