The Chair of Child Health, deemed to be the origin of Hacettepe Faculty of Medicine, was founded as part of the Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University by Prof. Dr. İhsan Doğramacı on February 2, 1954.

The foundation stone of the university was laid in 1957 with the Child Health Institute and Hospital within Hacettepe, which began its training, education and research activities and public services in 1958.

The Nursing School, School of Medical Technology and School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation were established in 1961. The School of Health Sciences offering education in the fields of Nutrition and Dietetics was founded in 1962. It later took the name of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in 1963. The School of Basic Sciences, Nursing School, School of Medical Technology, School of Physiotherapy-Rehabilitation, and the School of Physical Therapy were all re-structured under the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Meanwhile, the School of Dentistry was established under the same faculty. Hacettepe Science Center was established in 1965 in order to enable the coordination between the academic units within the university. Hacettepe Medical Center was established in 1966. Hacettepe Medical Center Hospital was founded in the same year.

These nucleus institutions were later chartered as Hacettepe University by Law No. 892, enacted on July 8, 1967, which began educational activities in the Faculties of Medicine, Health Sciences, Sciences and Social Sciences. The School of Home Economics was established in 1968, and the Schools of Pharmacy and Dentistry were transformed into faculties in 1971. Hacettepe University, which was further expanded in the course of time with the establishment of new departments and faculties, built its second campus on an area of 1.500 ha. in Beytepe District, 20 kms. away from the Central Campus.

Hacettepe University continues its activities with 14 Faculties, 14 Graduate Schools and Institutes , 2 Applied Schools, 1 Conservatory, 6 Vocational Schools, and 92 Research and Application Centers within the scope of the Law No: 2809 for the Organization of Higher Education Institutions, enacted in 1982.

Hacettepe University, as one of the leading universities in the country, keeps contributing to social development and universal values in the fields of science, technology and art.