Founded in 1928 in Taiwan, it is also known as the first university in Taiwan. Its predecessor was Taipei Imperial University, which was established during the Japanese colonial rule. It was one of the nine imperial universities established in Japan at that time.

In 1945, after the restoration of Taiwan, it was renamed "Taiwan University". In 1949, the Kuomintang government moved to Taiwan, and NTU replaced the Central University, which had not yet been restored to Taiwan at that time, and became the first university funded by the education authorities in Taiwan.

Taiwan University is famous for its liberal scholars represented by President Fu Sinian since its reform. Its professors, students and alumni all have an important influence on the development of Contemporary Taiwan history. The campus of NTU has become the source of the democratic movement and student movement for many times. Many NTU graduates have been leaders in various industries, including Nobel Prize winner Li Yuanzhe, Turing prize winner Yao Qizhi, Wolff chemistry prize winner Weng Qihui, wolf agricultural prize winner Yang Xiangfa, first Asian president of the University of California, Berkeley, Tian Changlin, former Taiwan leader Ma Ying Jeou, poet Yu Guangzhong, and writer Li Ao.

Taiwan University is a member of the Pacific Rim University Alliance, the global alliance of universities and colleges, the association of East Asian research universities, and the pine Union. It has been selected as one of the top universities in Taiwan. As of November 2019, NTU has three campuses in Taipei City, as well as a number of branch campuses and school sites scattered throughout Taiwan, with a total area of about 34000 hectares, accounting for 1% of the total area of Taiwan. At present, there are 11 colleges and 3 professional colleges, a total of 56 departments, 112 research institutes, and more than 30 world-class research centers in various academic fields. It is a world-class research institute with high influence on the society.