Part of the federation of training institutions which makes up Huế University, Huế University of Arts finds its origins in two separate schools – Huế College of Fine Art (Trường Cao đẳng Mỹ thuật Huế, founded in 1957) and Huế National School of Music and Dramatic Arts (Trường Quốc gia Âm nhạc – kịch nghệ Huế, founded in 1962). The two institutions were amalgamated in 1986 to form the Huế College of Arts (Trường Cao đẳng Nghệ thuật Huế). In 1994 the institution was afforded university status and placed under the overall authority of Huế University. Its programmes of study comprise: four-year Bachelors programmes in Music Education and four-year Bachelors programmes in Fine Art (painting) Education, both geared to those intending careers in secondary schools and colleges of culture and arts; four-year Bachelors programmes in Nhã nhạc (music of the royal court of Huế); five-year Bachelors programmes in Music (majoring in either composition, theory and conducting; orchestral music, vocal music and keyboard; or traditional musical instruments); five-year Bachelors programmes in Fine Art (majoring in either painting; sculpture; or graphic and applied art); four-year Secondary Certificate programmes in Music and Fine Art; nine- to eleven-year Elementary and Secondary Certificate programmes in Music; and a range of in-service training courses in Fine Art.

Each year a creative exchange is held between students and staff of Huế University of Arts, Hà Nội University of Fine Art and Chiang Mai University Faculty of Fine Arts in Thailand.

The University is also a partner in the Mekong Art and Culture Project, a two-year collaborative project spanning six activities, four countries and eight art institutes across the Greater Mekong Subregion.