It was founded in 16 January 2002 by the Umid Foundation [uz], the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan, and the University of Westminster in London.

[6][7] The university has been described in International Education: An Encyclopedia of Contemporary Issues and Systems as "successful in attracting students with high academic credentials".

Its founding followed earlier governmental initiatives in Uzbekistan, such as the establishment of the Malaysian Faculty of Business Management in 1994 and the Umid Foundation in 1997, which provided full scholarships for Uzbekistani students to study abroad.

Originally used as the 2nd Women's Gymnasium during the Russian Empire, the building was later donated to the Aviation College during the Soviet period and was renovated to accommodate WIUT.

[2][5] WIUT offers pre-foundation, foundation, undergraduate, and postgraduate programs, all validated by the University of Westminster.