The Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte originated from the University of Rio Grande do Norte, created on June 25, 1958, by state law, and federalized on December 18, 1960. The University of Rio Grande do Norte, installed in a solemn session held at the Alberto Maranhão Theater on March 21, 1959, was formed from colleges and higher education schools already existing in Natal, such as the School of Pharmacy and Dentistry; the School of Law; the School of Medicine; the School of Engineering, among others.

Starting in 1968, with the university reform, UFRN underwent a reorganization process that marked the end of the colleges and the consolidation of the current structure, that is, the grouping of several departments that, depending on the nature of the courses and disciplines, were organized into Academic Centers.

In the 1970s, construction began on the Central Campus, in an area of ​​123 hectares. The campus currently houses a bold architectural complex, surrounded by a ring road that integrates it into the urban fabric of the city of Natal.

The structure of UFRN was modified again by means of a 1974 Decree (No. 74,211), and from that time onwards it also included the University Council (CONSUNI), the Teaching, Research and Extension Council (CONSEPE), the Board of Trustees (CONCURA) and the Rector's Office.

A reform of the UFRN Statute, completed in 1996, established the structure currently in force at the University, adding the Board of Directors (CONSAD) to the existing councils and creating, within the academic structure, the Specialized Academic Units and the Centers for Interdisciplinary Studies.

In addition to the various classrooms, laboratories and libraries, the Central Campus has a Community Center with a restaurant, bank branches, bookstores, an art gallery and a post office. The Rector's Office, the Vice-Rector's Offices and all sectors of the Central Administration are located in the Rector's Office building.

The major events at UFRN usually take place in the Civic Square, designed as a large open-air amphitheater, where major shows are also held. For events and sports activities, the campus has a Multi-Sports Park, with an Olympic-sized gymnasium, soccer field, athletics track and Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Currently, UFRN offers more than 200 training opportunities, including undergraduate and graduate courses. Its academic community is made up of more than 43,000 students and approximately 5,500 employees, including technical-administrative and tenured professors, as well as substitute and visiting professors.