The present organisation originated in the 19th century with informal meetings involving Vice-Chancellors of a number of universities and Principals of university colleges. In 1918 the first consultative meeting of all Vice-Chancellors was held. At that time, the Committee consisted of just 22 universities and university colleges.

In 1930, Vice-Chancellors secured a mandate from their respective universities that

"it is desirable in the common interests of the United Kingdom to constitute a Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals for purposes of mutual consultation".

There were two new waves of universities in the 1960s, with 10 new universities being created and a further 10 arising from the upgrading of former colleges of advanced technology and two Scottish institutions. With one or two further additions, the Committee grew to a total of 47 representatives in the 1980s.

During the 1970s and 1980s, changes in the organisation of the Committee were made. Lord Flowers chaired a review of the role and structure of CVCP, which was completed in 1988. It was this review which led to the creation of an elected Council (originally of 16 members and a Chairman) to replace the General Purposes Committee and to be responsible for the co-ordination of the Committee's business, the communication of its recommendations and the implementation of its decisions.

The next major change in the membership of CVCP took place in 1992, as a result of Government legislation which enabled polytechnics to become universities. The Committee's membership increased to over 100 institutions.

In 1995, the then Chairman, Professor Sir Gareth Roberts, organised the committee into Sector Groups, each dealing with a specific area of the Committee's business and made up of 10-15 members. These enabled members to become much more involved in CVCP on a day-to-day level.

Originally located in 38 Gordon Square, CVCP had moved to 29 Tavistock Square in 1969. In 1997, the CVCP moved to newly refurbished and much larger offices in Woburn House, just across Tavistock Square. For the first time, the full Committee was able to meet in its own premises.

In 1999, as a direct result of devolution in Scotland and Wales and to ensure the continued provision of valued services to all our members, the National Council structure was created. Heads of Higher Education in Wales (HHEW) became the National Council for Wales, Committee of Scottish Higher Education Principals (CoSHEP) the National Council for Scotland, and The England and Northern Ireland Council was created to represent England and Northern Ireland members. The National Councils are autonomous bodies that are linked to CVCP but represent their own country members.

Universities UK

On 1 December 2000, CVCP became Universities UK. The change of name, logo and identity reflected developments that had taken place in the organisation. The National Councils also changed their names, logos and identities at the same time. CoSHEP became Universities Scotland and The England and Northern Ireland Council became Universities England and Northern Ireland. HHEW had already changed its name to Higher Education Wales (HEW).

In 2001 the Sector Groups were reviewed and renamed Strategy Groups. An internal structures review of Universities UK in 2006 refocused the remit of these Groups and they were once again renamed, as Policy Committees. The committees play a key role in directing UUK's thinking and response to sector-wide issues and underpin the outwardly focused, influencing role of Universities UK today.

The membership of Universities UK has continued to increase so that today the organisation has 134 members.

In 2012, Universities UK's 94th year our membership truly reflects a vibrant, successful and diverse sector, but our mission on their behalf remains largely unchanged. For over 90 years we have spoken out in support of the higher education sector, seeking to influence and create policy, and to provide an environment where our member institutions can flourish. Today Universities UK remains the essential voice of our universities - supporting their autonomy, celebrating their diversity.