Kazimierz Wielki University is a public university founded in 1968. As the university expanded, its organization structure and name changed.

It began as the Teachers Training College (1969–74) with three faculties: Humanities, Mathematics & Natural Sciences, and Pedagogy. It became the Higher School of Pedagogy from 1974 to 2000 devoted to teacher training. Then it became the Kazimierz Wielki Academy of Bydgoszcz from 2000 to 2005, and it has been the Kazimierz Wielki University since 13 May 2005.