The university began with self-effort of the Dominican authorities, and the main causes behind its foundation can be expressed as follows: the V Centenary of the Cultural Encounter between Spain and the American people, the desire to strengthen Hispanic ties between the American countries and Spain, as well as offering an answer to the educational needs of the country, as an institution of high academic quality and highly formative.
UNIBE academic life began on September 1, 1983, offering degrees in law, engineering, and medicine.
In August 2004, during the celebration in the Fifth Ordinary Session of the National Council of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (CONESCYT) approved by Resolution 31-2004, UNIBE was granted full autonomy.
In 2021, UNIBE launched an adult learning program for mid career professionals in Business Administration, Law, and Psychology.
UNIBE provides several services on campus to students including advisement and counseling, and extracurricular programming in sports and the arts.