The ULPGC, established in 1989, has more than 25,000 students and 1,500 lecturers. It has modern facilities and equipment, with Wi-Fi area in all its centres.

The ULPGC offers the university community a wide range of cultural and sports activities to complement academic learning, promoting values such as solidarity, social justice, gender equality, and respect for diversity and the environment among members of the community.

The ULPGC is a leading university in e-learning. Degrees and Master programmes as well as a wide range of courses at all learning levels are offered online. The ULPGC has signed agreements with universities from the five continents, to facilitate the mobility of teachers, researchers, students, and administrative staff.

In 2007, the ULPGC won the Quality Award for Public Service and Special Mention for Best Management Practices, both from the Government of the Canary Islands. In 2010, the ULPGC was evaluated by an International Comittee and earned the qualification of Campus of International Excellence, from the Ministry of Education of the Government of Spain.

It also develops an intense work in the field of development cooperation. It is worth noting the achievement of several UNESCO Chairs at the ULPGC.