The first director of the k.k. polytechnisches Institut in Vienna (k.k. meaning kaiserlich, königlich), as the Vienna University of Technology was called when it was founded in 1815, was Johann Joseph Ritter von Prechtl. Taking as an example the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris (founded in 1795), Prechtl, a liberal advance thinker, humanist and pedagogue, developed an Organizational Charter with non-military orientation for the Viennese institute. The revolutionary concept of Prechtl's project was the realization of an institution similar to a university, with freedom of teaching and learning for professors and students, incorporating functions and responsibilities going far beyond the usual scope of education at the time. With its ceremonial inauguration on November 6th, 1815, the k.k. polytechnisches Institut, the first University of Technology within present-day German-speaking Europe, commenced its academic activities.

In 1865 the k.k. polytechnisches Institut was completely and thoroughly restructured. For the first time, the Institute was subdivided into specialized colleges (called faculties since 1928), introducing a Rector's Charter. As a result of its restructuring in 1865, the k.k. polytechnisches Institut began to concentrate on the true technological disciplines. This process of specialization within individual departments and courses of study subsequently continued to keep pace with developments in the technological sciences.

In 1872, the Institute was renamed k.k. Technische Hochschule and the obligation to complete certain mandatory courses - which had meanwhile been introduced - was abolished. This organizational structure of 1872 survived two world wars and remained in existence until 1945.

Important landmarks during this era include the right to award doctor’s degrees in 1901 and the admission of women in 1919.

The development of the Technische Hochschule after World War II proved to be highly successful, especially when seen against the background of the dynamic developments in the field of technical and natural sciences, and the increasingly significant role played by technology in all aspects of life.

The elevation as a university in 1975 was a further important corner stone in the development of the university. The Universities Act 2002 which was introduced in January 2004 stands for essential organizational changes and the complete autonomy for all Austrian universities.