Global University Bangladesh was established in 2015. Three members of its board of trustees, including the chair, were relatives of then ruling party MP Jahangir Kabir Nanak.As of late 2016, the university’s top three administrative positions were still vacant. Not until May 2019 was the vice chancellorship filled, by professor of philosophy Anisuzzaman. At that time enrollment was approximately 1,300. Land had been purchased for a permanent campus, but it was still operating out of a rented six-story building. As of February 2021, it has no permanent professors on the faculty.

It is accredited by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and approved by the Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh.