[2][3] In 2004, institutions in the Latin Quarter began thinking of how to join forces to boost their international visibility.

The new entity, called "Paris Sciences et Lettres – Quartier Latin", was initially conceived as a scientific alliance.

[5][6] In 2011, the five institutions submitted a joint application for the Initiatives for Excellence (IDEX) as part of France's Investing for the Future program (PIA), causing the project to evolve into a new form of French university.

[12] While the diversity of project participants has sometimes been cited as a weakness, the promoters of PSL underline the complementarity of its institutions and the potential for collaboration.

In 2014, the Corail, HaStec, and TEPSIS Labex laboratories joined the list with EHESS and EPHE becoming members of PSL.

Among the initial submissions, they obtained eight Equipex facilities: BEDOFIH, D-FIH, Equip@Meso, ICGex, IPGG, Paris-en-Resonnance, Planaqua, Ultrabrain.

In 2017, after a detailed review process, nine institutions agreed to put in place an integrated budget and a multi-year strategy for academic recruitment, as well as to create a number of shared platforms and services.

Towards the end of the process, in 2018, one of the former members, EHESS, did not approve the new statutes and decided not to be part of the target university.

Additionally, College de France and Institut Curie became associate members, participating closely in the governance of the University.

PSL is co-leader of the SDSN Network for France, under the initiative of the United Nations.,[28] together with Kedge Business School and Universite Cergy-Pontoise.

In this context, Université PSL is promoting that all students shall have access to courses related to climate, biodiversity and sustainability.

[29] Université PSL offers training programs for graduate students through its constituent schools in a broad array of disciplines: engineering, fine and applied arts, management, economics, biology, humanities and social sciences, astronomy.

The first post-graduate/Master programme to be created under the umbrella of PSL between l'Université Paris-Dauphine and the Ecole normale supérieure, was the specialization Peace Studies launched in 2014 within the Master of International affairs and development.

The program implements a new kind of PhD in Art strongly articulating practice and theoretical thinking.

PSL Orchestra and Choir's musical season consists of five different programs and incorporates contemporary work from different countries.