It is a privately managed institution, under public supervision through its proprietor, the Balmes University Foundation, whose chair is the Mayor of Vic.

The emblem of the University of Vic is the A of Charlemagne, a Carolingian gold ornament symbolising the principles of learning and boundless expansion.

The university lemma, Scientiae patriaeque impendere vitam, is a verse of Lucan that means "Devoting life to the service of science and the community".

On 26 June 1599, Philip III of Spain granted permission for General Study activities in Vic and the privilege of graduating students in Art and Philosophy.

Finally during the Transition, the Jaume Balmes Teacher Training School, affiliated with the University of Barcelona was founded in 1977.