The history of Debrecen's higher education dates back to the 16th century. The Calvinist Reformed College, established in 1538, played a central role in education, teaching in the native language and spreading Hungarian culture in the region as well as in the whole country. The College was a sound base for the Hungarian Royal University established in 1912. Apart from the three academic faculties (arts, law, theology) a new faculty, the faculty of medicine was introduced, and the University soon became one of the regional citadels of Hungarian higher education. With fifteen faculties organized into 3 centers and a student body of over 25 thousand the University of Debrecen is one of the largest institutions of higher education in Hungary. Besides the international recognition and received standard of scientific research and education, the most important virtue of the University of Debrecen is its ability to adapt to the claims and expectations of society. This capacity makes it the intellectual centre of Eastern Hungary.

The Centre of Arts, Humanities and Sciences is a multidisciplinary coordinating unit within the University of Debrecen comprising seven academic faculties, two secondary and one primary schools and a number of interfaculty units (for instance, the European Studies Centre, student hostels, the Sports and Physical Education Centre, the nursery and day care establishments). Entrusted with economic self-government within the University, it serves as a coordinating and mediating forum, which represents unified interests in negotiations with external institutions. This training and economic coordination encompasses the research, innovation, development, education, teacher training, and external relations. The Centre is the professional base of teacher training at the University level.

The integrated University of Debrecen draws meaning from its three centers (the Centre of Agriculture, the Medical and Health Sciences Centre and the Centre of Arts, Humanities and Sciences), which, through their cooperation, ensure the multidisciplinary background, which in turn guarantee the University a leading role as a research and education institution.