The institution was founded in 1432[2] by John of Lancaster, 1st Duke of Bedford, the first rector being a Cornishman, Michael Tregury, afterwards Archbishop of Dublin.

The foundation was confirmed by the King of France Charles VII the Victorious in 1452.

On 7 July 1944 the university was completely destroyed by aerial bombing during Operation Charnwood, an action of the Battle of Caen.

Between 1944 and 1954, the university was based in the buildings of the regional teachers’ college.

A new campus was designed by Henry Bernard and constructed between 1948 and 1957.