It was created in 1998 when it replaced Rome's Istituto Superiore di Educazione Fisica (ISEF) whose activity had been centred on higher education for P.E.

The University "Foro Italico" also offers a two-year European master's degree in Preventive and Adapted Physical Activity organized in co-operation with the Universities of Cologne, Odense and Vienna, and a post-graduate programme for physical education teachers.

A second European master's degree in Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents, organized in cooperation with the universities of Odense, Bristol, and Clermont-Ferrand.

It is situated in the "Foro Italico" complex, a huge green area along the banks of the river Tiber at the foot of Monte Mario, Rome's highest hill covered with thick woods.

The Foro Italico is the greatest Italian sports complex, including indoor and outdoor swimming pools, gyms of many dimensions, tennis courts, two track-and-fields arenas, and the big Olympic Stadium.