In 2015, after the first elections for a Rector, the University of Western Macedonia became a self-governing institution, and ran courses in 2 cities, Kozani and Florina, with 3 Schools (Education, Engineering and Fine Arts) and 6 Departments.

The TEI of Western Macedonia had originally been founded as a Centre for Higher Technical - Vocational Education (KATEE, in Greek).

The new university runs 7 Schools and 21 Departments in 5 cities (Kozani, Florina, Kastoria, Ptolemaida, and Grevena), offering undergraduate and postgraduate study programmes.

[29][30] In April 2018, the students from the Hyperion Robotics team at the University of Western Macedonia presented an automated system with AI algorithms called "Cronus" claimed to be unbeatable at chess.

[35] An external evaluation of all academic departments in Greek universities was conducted by the Hellenic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Agency (HQA).