University College, the founding college of the University of Toronto,  was established in 1853 by the University of Toronto Act as a non-sectarian institution of higher education.

Architects Frederic Cumberland and William Storm designed the Romanseque Revival-style building with inspiration from the designs of Oxford and Cambridge Universities in England. Construction began on October 4, 1856. University College first opened its doors to students three years later on October 4, 1859. At the time, Toronto was a town of 30,000 people and cows grazed in the fields behind the College.

The University College Literary and Athletic Society, Canada’s oldest student government, was founded in 1854.

Women were first admitted to University College in 1884.