In 2004 NATFHE celebrated 100 years since the London-based Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions (ATTI) was formed.

ATTI grew and became NATFHE on 1 January 1976 following amalgamation with the Association of Teachers in Colleges and Departments of Education (ATCDE).

Until the merger, AUT and NATFHE members in higher education were involved in ongoing 'action short of a strike' - including boycotting setting and marking exams and other coursework in universities and this action continued under the UCU banner.

[3][4] Concerns grew that students might not be able to graduate in 2006 [5] until the industrial action was suspended at midnight on 7 June while members were balloted on a new offer.

[6][7] On the last day of its final conference NATFHE passed motion 198C, a call to boycott Israeli academics who did not vocally speak out against their government.