In 1955, the Florida Legislature authorized the State Board of Education to locate a state university in Escambia County. Following a feasibility study which demonstrated the need for an institution of higher education in Northwest Florida, funds were allocated for the development of the University of West Florida. UWF became the sixth state university of the State University System of Florida, which today consists of eleven institutions of higher learning.

Ground was broken on April 16, 1965, and in the same year the Chambered Nautilus was adopted as the official UWF emblem. The initial building program, consisted of an administration classroom complex, library, Commons building, science complex, humanities building, audiovisual facility, utilities building and 15 student housing buildings accommodating approximately 500 resident students. Current facilities at UWF include: 35 academic buildings, 21 student services facilities, 25 dormitories, two university village student apartment complexes and 20 plant support facilities. In 1997, 600 additional acres were acquired which brought the Pensacola campus to 1,600 acres, the second largest main campus in the State University System.

In addition to the 1,600 acre main campus, UWF serves students east of Santa Rosa County at UWF Emerald Coast locations in Fort Walton Beach, Eglin Air Force Base, Hurlburt Field and shared facilities at regional community colleges. And, UWF owns waterfront beach property on Santa Rosa Island that is available for recreational, academic and research pursuits. In downtown Pensacola, the university manages 24 historic properties, which are being transformed into a living laboratory for students interested in history, archaeology and tourism.

Initially, the university was organized in three resident or cluster colleges: Alpha, Gamma and Omega. Not only were academic disciplines assigned to these colleges, but student government, cultural programs and other activities were conducted within the colleges. UWF was originally an upper-level institution enrolling juniors, seniors, and graduate students. The first students began classes in the fall of 1967, and the first commencement exercises were held in June 1968 where 58 students received degrees. In 1969, the university undergraduate programs were accredited by Southern Association of College (SACS) and the first master's degree programs were established.

In July 1979, the university organized in a more traditional structure by establishing three colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business and Education. Following authorization by the Florida Legislature, a lower division was established, and freshmen attended the university for the first time in the fall semester of 1983, boosting enrollment from 5,200 students to 5,920 students.

In July 1988, Computer Science, a department within the College of Business, was identified as the Division of Computer Science as a stand alone and was later incorporated into a fourth college, the College of Science and Technology. During the fall term of 1999, the colleges reorganized as the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and the College of Professional Studies.

	In 1991, President Marx dedicated the opening of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
	In 1995, the expansion and renovation of the John C. Pace Library was completed.
	The main campus environment flourishes with flowers and student activities and provides a serene atmosphere.
	In 2004, the UWF Japan House and International Center officially opened marking 15 years of university involvement in Japanese programs and partnerships.
	And in 2005, the Health, Leisure and Sports (HLS) Facility opened. At 108,000 square-feet, the HLS Facility is the biggest single facility on campus. Primary features of the facility include Recreation and Sports Services and Division of Health, Leisure and Exercise Science offices, four classrooms, biomechanics and motor skills labs, a 10,000 square-foot fitness center, racquetball courts, a 38-foot climbing wall, an indoor running track (1/8 mile), a specially designed pedagogy gym, teaching gym and three recreation sports courts.