1895—Peiyang University, the first modern university in China, was founded. On October 2, 1895, the emperor Guangxu officially approved a memorial to the throne by establishing Peiyang Da Xue Tang, as proposed by the Chief of Tianjin Customs Sheng Xuanhuai’s to establish a university in China in the Western tradition. Hence Peiyang Da Xue Tang (predecessor of Peiyang University), the first modern university in the modern history of China, was founded.

In 1899, the first batch of students of Peiyang University graduated. In 1900, Wang Chonghui, a student of law, obtained Chinese first university diploma granted by a Minister of Peiyang.

1900—Peiyang Da Xue Tang suspended. In 1900, Peiyang Da Xue Tang was suspended because its buildings were occupied by the German Army during the invasion of the Eight-Power Allied Forces.

In April, 1903, Peiyang Da Xue Tang was rebuilt in the Xigu arsenal of Tianjin. 1903 - The first batch of students of Peiyang University were sent to America to study.

In 1910, Feng Ximin, a student of civil engineering of Peiyang University, obtained the first place in Palace Examination. The papers for the Palace Examination were evaluated by Emperor Xuantong.

In 1912, Peiyang Da Xue Tang was renamed Peiyang Da Xue Xiao according to a command from Ministry of Education of the National Government.

In 1913, Peiyang Da Xue Xiao was renamed the National Peiyang University.

In 1915, The President of Peiyang University Zhao Tianlin declared the university motto: "Seeking Truth from Facts".

In 1920, law education at Peiyang University was put on hold (the Department of Law merged with Peking University in alignment with the restructuring of the higher education system). Peiyang University became an engineering-oriented university.

In 1928, the first hydraulics laboratory in Tinajin was established. In 1935, the laboratory was renamed the first hydraulics laboratory in China. In 1928, the Ministry of Education implemented the University District System. National Peiyang University was renamed No.2 Technical College of National Peking University.

In 1929, with the promulgation and implementation of Organization Law of Universities, Peiyang University was renamed the National Peiyang Technical College.

In 1934,Deng Yuemo, the then Professor of Peiyang University successfully built the first aero engine in China. In 1934, the Engineering Research Institute was established.

In 1935, the first batch of graduate students were admitted. 1935—The Tianjin University Anthem was first adopted. The Tianjin University Anthem was first adopted with lyrics written by Liao Fushu and music composed by Xiao Youmei.

In 1937, the invasion to Tianjin by the Japanese Army forced National Peiyang Technical College to migrate to Shanxi. Together with other institutes, Xi′an Temporary University was set up.

In 1938, Xi′an Temporary University was moved to Hanzhong and was renamed the National Northwest Union University, which later developed into the National Northwest Technical College. The National Northwest Technical College was located in Guluba, Chenggu, Shaanxi Province.

In 1942, Technical College of National Yingshi University became independent and was named the National Peiyang Technical College.

In 1944, with the support of Ministry of Education, Xijing Branch of the Peiyang Technical College was founded. The college opened in December of 1944, and located in Xi’an.

In January, 1946, Peiyang University moved back to its original location in Xigu, Tianjin. Peiyang University then had a technical college and a college of science.

In 1951, Peiyang University and Hebei Technical College combined into Tianjin University.

From 1952 to 1958, in alignment with the restructuring of the higher education system, 18 departments and disciplines of Peiyang University were restructured into other universities or formed new universities, which supported higher education development. Meanwhile, engineering departments or colleges from other eight universities including Nankai University merged into Tianjin University.

On April 10, 1957 and May 28, 1959, Former Premier Zhou Enlai inspected Tianjin University twice.

On August 13, 1958, former President Mao Zedong inspected Tianjin University, who recognized the important heritage of Tianjin University. 1958--- Former Party's General Secretary Deng Xiaoping inspected Tianjin University. On October 9, 1958, the former Party General Secretary Deng Xiaoping inspected Tianjin University. ​

In 1959, Tianjin University were listed as one of the first batch of 16 national key universities directly under the control of the Ministry of Education.

In 1978, College Entrance Examination was resumed and the first batch of students admitted.

In 1981, with the approval of the State Council, Tianjin University became one of the first batch of universities to obtain doctor degree conferral rights.

In December, 1984, Tianjin University set up the Graduate School, becoming one of the first batch of universities to set up graduate schools.

In December, 1986, Tianjin University put forward the idea of making “openness, comprehensiveness, and research” the mantra of higher education development.

In November, 1994, National Education Commission signed an agreement with Tianjin Municipal Government on jointly developing Tianjin University. Tianjin University was under the direction of the Ministry of Education, and was led by both National Education Commission and Tianjin Municipal Government.

On October 2, 1995, the Centennial Anniversary ceremony of Tianjin University was held. The then major national leaders celebrated the anniversary with their inscription. Leaders Li Ruihuan, Li Lanqing attended

In February, 1997, Tianjin University was listed as one of the key universities under Project 211. 1997 - The stocks of the TianDa Tiancai Company Limited controlled by Tianjin University were listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. On September 29, 1997, the stocks of TianDa Tiancai Company Limited controlled by Tianjin University were listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange, becoming the first listed company that were controlled by a university in China. 1997 - School system was implemented. In 1997, Tianjin University implemented a school system across the university, setting up 11 schools, reflecting the idea of focusing on engineering, as well as combining the disciplines of science and engineering with coordinated development of economics, management, liberal arts, and law.

In 1999, Tianjin University passed the evaluation on undergraduate education organized by the Ministry of Education with result of “Excellence”.

In 2000, Tianjin University was listed as the first batch of key universities under national Project 985.

In 2003, Tianjin University mapped out its overall development goal and a “three-step” development strategy, striving to develop the university into a comprehensive, research-oriented, progressive and internationalized world leading university by the middle of the century.

In 2007, Tianjin University was listed as one of the ten pilot universities for engineering education reform, led by the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Ministry of Education.

In 2009, draft for site of the new campus of Tianjin University was passed. And the Tianjin Municipal Government passed a draft site, located in the south on the middle reaches of the Haihe River, Jinnan District for the new campuses of Tianjin University and Nankai University.

In March, 2010, the Ministry of Education signed an agreement with Tianjin Municipal Government to jointly build the new campus of Tianjin University. In December, 2010, Tianjin University joined the Agreement on the Cooperation of Talent Cultivation framework. In December, 2010, Tianjin University signed the Agreement on Cooperation of Talent Cultivation framework, with nine other universities, setting up the Excellence Alliance (China) (9 excellent engineering universities, or E9 in short) to prompt communication and cooperation for the innovative cultivation of talent.

In December, 2011, the 2nd phase of the Tianjin Haihe Education Park and Peiyang Park Campus of Tianjin University and NanKai University project commencement ceremony was held. The new campus of Tianjin University construction was formally commenced.

In April, 2013, the Tianjin Chemistry and Chemical Corporation Innovative Center, which is the first corporation center in China led and organized by Tianjin University, passed the confirmation of Project 2011, becoming the first batch of Project 2011 units, among 14 other units.

In July, 2014, The Constitution of Tianjin University was offcially approved by the Ministry of Education.

In May, 2015, the new campus, Peiyang Park Campus was opened and commenced operation.

In October, 2015, Tianjin University celebrated its 120th anniversary.