The University was established through two distinct strands of educational provision in Gloucestershire, being that provided by Local Government and that founded by the Anglican Church.

From 1992, Cheltenham & Gloucester College of Higher Education (CGCHE) was permitted to award first and postgraduate degrees, and in 1998 it achieved research degree-awarding powers.

A speaker, George Holyoake, became the last person prosecuted and convicted for blasphemy following a public lecture he delivered at the institute in April 1842.

[17] In February 2012 Rennie Fritchie was announced as the new chancellor succeeding Lord Carey of Clifton, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.

In November 2009, Paul Bowler, the deputy vice-chancellor, resigned shortly after being suspended from his post only seven months after joining the institution.

[22] In December 2009 Dr. Sharp, dean and associate pro vice-chancellor, following his resignation, took up a post in the new UK Higher Education International Unit.

[25] The precise circumstances of this resignation and the salary paid to her as recorded in the public accounts have attracted various media attention being the reported highest of all UK vice-chancellors for the year.

[27] In September 2010, Paul Bowler was a witness in an employment tribunal case brought by a member of staff of the university under the 'whistleblowing' legislation – the Public Interest Disclosure Act.

A partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust was launched in May 2009 and the Park Campus grounds became designated as a community green space.

The department is custodian of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Library, and curates and maintains the Gloucestershire Poets, Writers and Artists Collection, which includes works and artefacts relating to the Dymock Poets, Whittington Press, U A Fanthorpe, Michael Henry, James Elroy Flecker and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail.

The campus has a mix of humanities, education, natural & social science and creative arts, the latter housed in open-plan illustration and landscape architecture studios, with VR technology, 3D printers and model making workshops.

The purpose-built studios cater for students studying a mixture of creative subjects including its Fine Art (undergraduate and postgraduate), Photography and Fashion degrees.

[48] Halls of residence were built on site in 2002 and house 175 students divided into 6 blocks (May, Birdlip, Cooper's, Crickley, Robinswood and Chalford).

The universities' estates strategy outlines a 10-year investment plan to refurbish, upgrade and develop facilities, which includes the Pittville Student Village project.

Plans included creating 450 extra bedrooms, to the existing 214 student rooms, plus a small retail unit and sports facilities.

[54] The new student village will increase the number of beds to 794 and also includes new office space for several administrative departments as well as sports facilities.

[55] Pittville Student Village was officially opened on 5 April 2018 by artist PJ Crook, a Gloucestershire alumna, to mark the campus' history as an art school.

[71] The university provides almost 100 undergraduate courses covering a variety of subjects including Accounting and Law, Business Management, Computing, Journalism, Fine Art, Humanities, Biology, Geography, Social Science, Education and Sports within ten academic schools.

[72] The NTF scheme is open to staff whose teaching or support roles enhance the student learning experience at institutions in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Anne Dawson, Head of School of Creative Industries, TV presenter with BBC and ITV News.

[89] Illustration lecturer Fumio Obata is a comic book author,[90] visual artist and animator Senior lecturer in Criminology Dr Jane Monckton Smith is an author and part of the Home Office College of Policing[91] scrutiny panel for domestic abuse training.

Andy joined the university in 1996 and among his contributions he has supported enterprising students to create an international development programme, Sport Malawi.

[92] Acting Head of Humanities and Religion, Philosophy & Ethics lecturer, David Webster, is an author and blogger.

[99] The University of Gloucestershire offers a range of financial support packages for undergraduate students commencing their studies in as follows:[100] Additionally the university offers unique sports refereeing scholarships supported by the Rugby Football Union, the Football Association, England Netball and the English Cricket Board.

The Students' Union supports the running of over 30 sports teams' societies ranging from Rugby, Netball and Hockey to Equestrian, Trampoline and Kendo.

[113] The University of Gloucestershire launched the Degreeplus initiative in 2012 designed to give students the chance to increase their employability through volunteering, entrepreneurship and internships.

A focus on skills development is channelled through the Degreeplus Award scheme, encouraging students to fully participate in university life, gain work-related experience and receive formal recognition for extra-curricular achievements.

The Malawi National Olympic team was hosted by the university, which worked in partnership with Gloucester City Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Sandford Parks Lido, and Aspire Sports and Cultural Trust to create a Gloucestershire Consortium which provided facilities for the team during their preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

[123] A further incident in December 2008 resulted in a Rugby Union club member vomiting on board a bus, following what a local newspaper called a "booze-fuelled initiation ceremony".

The Enterprise Hubs are aimed specifically at early-stage creative and innovative entrepreneur-run businesses offering physical and virtual support to help their development.