History
Founded in 1970, it quickly developed around its 12 UFRs (teaching and research units) and institutes, spread over five towns (mainly Créteil) of  Ile-de-France region, in the counties of Val-de-Marne and Seine-et-Marne.

The university has successfully united a range of disciplines which offer an exceptional program of education (ranging from technology diplomas to doctorates) and houses 31 laboratories covering almost every available field.

In 2007, the university took an important further step :

by integrating the IUFM (teacher training institution) into the Créteil Academy which became the 12th faculty of the university through founding membership of UPEC.

by becoming a member of the “Université Paris-Est” Higher Education and Research Cluster, along with Paris Est Marne la Vallée University, the ENPC (School of Civil Engineering), the LCPC (Civil Engineering Central Laboratory) and ESIEE-Paris (engineering school).
This means that these establishments combine forces mainly in the area of research and doctoral schools.

How UPEC is structured
UPEC is :
a democratic entity in its governance that engages all the key stake holders (students, staff, partner organizations) in discussions relating to it operations and its future development.
an administrative entity that operates to facilitate the goals of the university,
makes available procedures and tools to ensure optimal outcomes,
insists on highest quality service delivery.

Components
7 UFRs, previously called faculties
UFR of Humanities and Human Sciences
UFR of Administration and International Trade
UFR of Law
UFR of Science and Technology
UFR of Economics and Management
UFR of Medicine
UFR of SES -STA PS (Sporting and Physical Activity Techniques and Sciences,
Social Sciences and Educational Sciences)

8 Institutes
IUT (Technological University Institute) of Créteil-Vitry
IUT of Sénart-Fontainebleau
Paris Institute of Urban Planning
IAE (Gustave Eiffel Business and Administration Institute)
Occupational Therapy Training Institute
IUFM (Teacher Training Institution)
Higher Institute for Life Science
IPAG (Preparation for General Administration Institute)

2 Schools
ESM (Montsouris College)
ESIAG (College for Computing Applied to Management)

6 doctorate schools, Paris-Est University (presented by scientific department)
Cultures and Society
Organizations, markets, institutions
City, transport and territories
Mathematics and STIC
Health and life sciences
Science, engineering, environment