The university was established in 1970's, when several faculties were grouped under one university. Previous years in Croatia the universities in Rijeka and Split were founded. 1970's 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.