The University was first established as a college for advanced technical education in 1966 and then transitioned into a Technikon in 1979. With the restructuring of the higher education landscape, the institution became a University of Technology in 2004 and has seen significant growth in its activities and reach since that time.
The University now operates from its main campus in Vanderbijlpark with satellite sites of delivery in Ekurhuleni, Secunda and Upington. The University also has the Science Park at the Sebokeng Campus. While the expansion of activities on the main campus is limited due to the available space, opportunities exist, particularly at the Sebokeng Campus, for future expansion.