Founded in 1998, UCN has been accredited and recognized by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Education,[1][2][3] and has also been internationally accredited by the UK-based Accreditation Service for International Colleges and Universities (ASIC).

[4] On 22 March 2012, the UCN signed in Managua an agreement with the United Mahatma Gandhi University in India, Universidad de Cundinamarca in Colombia, Universidad de la Salle in Costa Rica, 3G University in the UAE, Fundación Universitaria Samuel Hahnemann in Colombia and Universidad Azteca in Mexico to issue degrees externally through the institutions.

[5] UCN also offers an EdD-PhD programme in Innsbruck, Austria.

[6][7] UCN also collaborates with Texila American University, Guyana, to provide distance learning programs.

The university offers courses in medicine, pharmacy, business, law, social science, engineering, veterinary medicine, and psychology.