Sebelas Maret University (UNS) was founded on March 11, 1976, and was originally a merger of 5 universities in Surakarta. There is a major goal behind the merging of these universities, which is to improve the quality of higher education in Surakarta.

After 5 years of consolidation, UNS prepared to begin the process of its development. Physical development began in 1980. Under the leadership of dr. Prakosa, the original campus located in several places were united in the same area. The new area was in Kentingan, on the riverside of Bengawan Solo River, with a coverage area of approximately 60 hectares. In this Kentingan area, the first phase of campus construction ended in 1985.