Founded in 1972, it is based in Pau (département of Pyrénées-Atlantiques) but also in Anglet, Bayonne, Tarbes and Mont-de-Marsan in the Adour river basin.

[2] However, it can trace its origins back to 1549 when the Collège des Arts, an institute for the study of the humanities, was established in the royal town of Pau.

In 2018, the academic units were organised into three colleges:[6] [7] Research in the university is promoted in five thematic areas: For the period 2021–2026, research has been organised into a number of interdisciplinary centres located in each of the three Colleges: The main campus of the university is located in a large park in the north of the city of Pau, about twenty minutes ride from the town centre, but within the urban limits.

[10] the Ecole Nationale Supérieure en Génie de Technologies Industrielles [11](ENSGTI) and a School for Business Administration (Institut d'Administration des Entreprises) [12] There are two specialised university libraries, one for the Sciences Department, the other common to the Law and Arts Departments.

The department is lodged in an elaborate three storey building with amphitheatre-like classrooms grouped at the eastern corner of the complex.

Brick is used for sculptural elements such as the well-like artificial space in the centre of the inner patio, as well as pebbles for floor decoration.

The concrete sign Faculté de Droit, d'Economie et Gestion serves as a bench in the shade of the trees.

All matters regarding student life are handled in the Centre Local des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaire (CLOUS) ( see : Bordeaux CROUS internet site).

Staff issues are handled by the Direction des ressouces humaines (DRH) services situated on the second floor in the Présidence building.

Staff belonging to IATOSS or ITRF personnel categories can also eat at the nearby Cité administrative's restaurant inter-administratif (RIA).