Islamic University, Kushtia was founded on 22 November 1979 at Shantidanga-Dulalpur (Kushtia-Jhenidah) by then President of Bangladesh General Ziaur Rahman, based on the recommendation of ‘Islamic University Planning Committee’ on 7 January 1977 headed by M. A. Bari including seven other members.

The objective of establishing Islamic University is "to provide for instruction in theology and other fields of Islamic Studies and comparative jurisprudence and such other branches of learning at Graduate and Postgraduate level as the University may think fit and make provision for research including Post-Doctorate research and training for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge"[10] On 1 January 1981, the then Government of Ziaur Rahman appointed A. N. M Momtaz Uddin Choudhury as the first vice-chancellor and the university became operational that year.

As construction of several important buildings began, a presidential decree was issued on 15 May 1982 to shift the university from Shantidanga-Dulalpur (Kushtia-Jhenaidah) to Boardbazar, Gazipur on an area of 50 acres.

On 28 December 1988, while the infrastructure development and academic activities were in full swing, the university was again shifted to Shantidanga-Dulalpur (Kushtia-Jhenidah).

In 1991, five more departments — Bengali, English, Arabic, Islamic History, and Public Administration — were established.

Three former students of the department contributed to the procurement of all the Internet of Things (IoT)-related equipment including Sensor, Raspberry pi, Arduino, Shield etc.

[13][14] On 23 June 2009, an Act of the Parliament assigned the President as chancellor, replacing the Prime Minister.

[15] On 21 August 2016, Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari of English department of Kushtia Islamic University was appointed its 12th Vice Chancellor.

The 'Bangabandhu Chair' was established at IU under Bangla department on 20 July 2017 to carry out extensive research on the life, political activities and ideology of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Shamsuzzaman Khan, former director general of Bangla Academy, was appointed as 'Bangabandhu Chair' Professor at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia on 1 October 2018.

The government-approved recent organogram of the university sets out to operate 59 departments and 3 self-contained Institutes.

There are three departments under this faculty and the medium of instructions are Arabic, English & Bengali based on subjects, which are: Degree awarded: BICR (Hons.

There are three departments including applied/biological sciences under this faculty and the medium of instruction & examination is English, which are: Degree Awarded: B.Sc.(Hons.

There are four departments including physical/mathematical sciences under this faculty and the medium of instruction & examination is English, which are: Degree Awarded: BBA, MBA, M.Phil.

It is named 'Khademul Haramain Badshah Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Central Library '.

After completion of twelve years of studies or higher secondary level (H.S.C or equivalent to Grade-12) education, a student can submit her or his application for undergraduate admission if he/she fulfills the minimum requirements.

For the Faculty of Law and Shariah, applicants are required to answer questions on English, Bengali, and general knowledge.

For the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, applicants are required to answer questions on English, Bengali, and general Knowledge.

For admission to Master's programs, eligible candidates are required to appear in interviews and/or written tests.

IU also welcomes foreign students every year for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate research programs MPhil, PhD, enrollment process is conducted by International Student Affairs & Admission Cell (ISAC) at IU.

[36] Islamic University Computer Centre was established in order to accelerating research facilities for faculty, staff and students.

They are: The university runs its own regular bus services to and from the Kushtia and Jhenidah district towns.

Although, it has a total of 47 Bus to ensure transportation facilities of the students, teacher officers and support staff residing inside and outside of the campus, but it is not adequate.

The medical center is situated near the Mir Mosharraf Hossain Academic Building and Mofiz Lake.

The Centre provides service round the clock, seven days a week, with 11 doctors working in different shifts.

The centre has in its premises arrangement for 05 bed accommodation so that students suffering from such contagious diseases as chickenpox or mumps may be taken care of in isolation.

[46][26] Tamanna Khatun student of IU, who won a gold medal in the Youth World Hockey Championship held in South Africa in 2006.

[26] Mohammad Shamsuddin competed in the 100 meters at the 2004 Athens Olympics and Abdullah al hil Kafi, a famous athlete, who represented Bangladesh in South Korean Sports in 2003.

[26] Fahima Khatun and Mehedi Hasan Royal are national woman cricket and man football team member.