In 1995, the Uruguayan government enacted decree 308/95 of 11 August establishing the country's first legal framework for the operation of private universities.

In February 1996, ORT Uruguay was the first institution to apply for authorisation to operate as a private university, granted in September of the same year.

ORT awards 85 professional qualifications at postgraduate, undergraduate and technical diploma levels in Architecture, Engineering, Biotechnology, Management, Economics, International Relations, Design, Animation, Communication and Education.

It has established academic cooperation agreements with more than 200 international universities and institutions worldwide to facilitate student exchanges and collaborative research and teaching projects.

The network, with 1,300 members in 135 countries, advocates for the protection of human rights, access to education, sustainability and conflict resolution.

[3] In September 2021, a study carried out by the world leader organisation in higher education analysis services QS Quacquarelli Symonds, placed Universidad ORT Uruguay among the 550 universities with the best employment rate for their graduates globally.