The history of Universiti Tenaga Nasional dates back to 1976, when it first started as Institute Latihan Sultan Ahmad Shah (ILSAS), which served for many years as a corporate training institute for Lembaga Letrik Negara (LLN), In 1990, LLN was corporatised and renamed Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Malaysia's largest electric utility company. In 1994, TNB transformed ILSAS into an institution of higher learning and renamed it Institute Kejuruteraan Teknologi Tenaga Nasional (IKATAN). The institute offered academic programmes at both undergraduate and graduate levels through twinning arrangements with local and foreign universities. In 1997, the institute assumed the identity of Universiti Tenaga Nasional, after being issued the license to award its own degrees. The twining programmes were phased out.

Though relatively new as a university, UNITEN is moving rapidly towards establishing itself as a centre for educational excellence. The academic programmes are being strengthen in line with its commitment to serve the needs of the nation and other countries, especia.4y those which look to Malaysia for assistance in meeting their requirements for tertiary education.

UNITEN has opened a branch campus in Bandar Muadzam Shah, Pahang. The setting- up of the branch campus is in line with Tenaga Nasional Berhad's aspiration to heed the government's call in providing higher educational opportunities to Malaysians, especially to in rural areas students. It is also hoped that this would act as a catalyst for economic growth, specifically in Bandar Muadzam Shah and the East Coast in general.

UNITEN's comprehensive and innovative content and the teaching techniques adopted are designed towards expanding the frontiers of learning and inculcating a probing mind. Students will be challenged to develop into multi-skilled professionals who possess mental, intellectual and emotional fortitude to succeed in life.  

The curriculum is further enhanced by project work, research, open-ended experiments and practical training and is designed with input from the industrial and commercial sectors as well as local and foreign universities, The emphasis is towards producing professionals that fulfill the needs of industry or commerce in particular and the nation in general, All of our academic programmes are formulated to meet the high standards of Lembaga Akreditasi Negara (LAN). In addition, the engineering and accounting degree programmes are designed to satisfy the requirements of the relevant professional bodies.  

The university's academic programmes have also been given recognition by the governments of Yemen, Iran and Saudi Arabia. The foundation programmes offered by UNITEN have also been recognized by universities in Australia and New Zealand as entry qualifications into their degree programmes.

The University's academic staff are highly qualified in their respective fields. They are committed to share their knowledge and experience with the students.

Academic and training programmes are offered by the university's four (4) colleges and 1 institute - namely, the College of Engineering, College of Information Technology College of Business Management and Accounting, and

the College of Graduate Studies, supported by the Institute of Liberal Studies.

All programmes are designed to satisfy the academic requirements of the National Accreditation Board whilst the engineering and accounting degree programmes are designed to satisfy the requirements for membership to the relevant professional bodies such as Board of Engineers Malaysia, Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA), Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA), Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrator (ICSA), Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (CIMA), Malaysian Association of the institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrator (MAICSA), Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), Australia.

UNITEN also offers foundation programmes in related areas for students with good Sijil Pelajoran Malaysia (SPM) results or equivalent qualifications, Students who pass the foundation programmes will most likely be assured a place in the related bachelor degree programme.

Students with higher qualifications may apply for the bachelor degree programmes. The duration of study for the foundation programmes is one year. The bachelor's degree in engineering and accounting programmes are four (4) years, whilst computer science, information technology and business administration takes approximately three (3) years.

Candidates for the postgraduate programmes are required to have a good first degree.