The University was established as a subsidiary of the Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski". With a Decree No 2296 from the 4th of August 1983 of the Council of Ministers it is separated as an independent Higher Pedagogical Institute, and with a decision of the National Assembly published in the Official State Gazette issue 68 from the 1st of August 1995 it promulgated as an independent State University with its own accreditation.

The Southwestern University is a center of a rich educational and scientific activity, one of the most authoritative spiritual fireplaces outside the capital. There are 10500 Bulgarian and foreign students at the University, which study in more than 40 majors. A special authority have the functioning International University Seminar for Balkan Research and Specialization, the Center for Foreign Languages and Literature, Center for International cooperation and integration, Center for Distance Education, the University Publishing House and other centers and units within the framework of the University.