1707 Franciscans Philosophy School[2] 1806 Lyceum episcopale, which turned into a gymnasium in 1850 and the High Theological College in 1931[2] 1893 Royal Male Teachers School which became Academy of Pedagogy in 1961[2] The Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek (Croatian: Sveučilište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Latin: Universitas studiorum Mursensis), commonly known as the University of Osijek (UNIOS), is a public university based in Osijek, Croatia.

1970s was a decade of exponential rise in number of higher education institutions in the rest of former Yugoslavia as well when universities in Maribor, Mostar, Banja Luka, Podgorica, Bitola, Kragujevac and Tuzla all opening their doors.

It was the Higher Theological School, which was opened in the 1707/1708 academic year as Studium Philosophicum Essekini, and included a three-year course of studies in philosophy.

On 26 March 1975, the Croatian Parliament (Sabor) passed the Decision granting consent for the establishing of the University of Osijek.

The long-term plans and programs envisage the development of university facilities at three main locations in the city of Osijek: Tvrđa, "Drava" and "Gaj" barracks.