It was created during a series of rationalization and merger operations in the Flemish higher education.

The university college has several campuses: Vest, Ham, Botanique, Lucas Fayd'herbe and De Nayer.

On campus Vest are the teacher courses (kindergarten, primary and secondary education), the Nursing and the Management Colleges.

Finally there are the Bachelor and Master courses in industrial science, given in Campus De Nayer.

Lessius Mechelen has about 4300 students (2009-2010) and offers also some professional bachelor courses in evening and weekend education.