The University of Bielsko-Biala (Akademia Techniczno-Humanistyczna w Bielsku-Bialej) was founded in October 2001 as an independent governmental academic institution. Previously, since 1969, it had been a branch of the Technical University of Lodz (Politechnika Łódzka).

The machine-design, electrical, and textile industries have an established history in the region, so the main study fields have been long established. However, due to changes in the economy, other fields of study have been developed, including management, humanities, environmental sciences and computer sciences.