The University of Oviedo had been established under the terms and conditions of the will of Archbishop Fernando de Valdés Salas (1483–1568), who was the General Inquisitor under Philip II of Spain, and funded by his estate.

Pope Gregory XIII had granted the Papal Bull to create the university in 1574 and in 1604 Philip III had issued its charter.

It first opens for the teaching of classes on September 21, 1608.

Oviedo is today the only public university in Asturias (Spain).

Its activity is spread throughout the region, with teaching campuses and research centers in Oviedo, Gijón and Mieres.