Its origins can be traced back to 1953, when a training college for future primary school teachers was opened in the nearby town of Opava.

Five years later, the institute was awarded university status and became an independent Faculty of Education, offering four-year degree courses to future primary school teachers.

The range of degrees was later extended to include a five-year programme for future teachers of higher year groups.

Its history is closely connected with the Medical-Social Faculty of the University of Ostrava, which was founded in 1993.

[3][4] In 2017, Times Higher Education ranked the university in the 801-1000 band globally.