The idea to found Cracow University of Technology (CUT) was initiated at the end of 2nd World War when - as a consequence of political decisions - the Polytechnic of Lvov (nowadays in Ukraine) ceased to act as Polish university. The activities to create the new technical university in Kraków were actually undertaken only in 1945. Towards the end of 1945 the Rector of the Academy of Mining in Kraków obtained a formal agreement to incorporate the new school and create Polytechnic Departments: Architecture, Surveying Engineering, Civil and Water Engineering and Forestry Department. The document authorising the legal activity of Departments was signed on October 6, 1946 - this date is identified as the date of foundation of CUT. As fully independent university CUT has been acting since 1954.
The main premises of CUT are located in Warszawska St. in 1948. As a result of the partly executed plan of school's extension in Czyzyny (a district in Kraków), modern buildings of Faculty of Mechanical Engineering with laboratory facilities and four large halls of residence for students have been added. In 1976 the 30th Anniversary of CUT was celebrated, and on this occasion the school was given the name of Tadeusz Kosciuszko - the great Polish and American leader-hero, politician, organiser and engineer.
Within 50 years of CUT's activity over 37000 students graduated from CUT with M.Sc. or B.Sc. degrees. Ph.D. degree was achieved by 1200 persons and D.Sc.(habilitation) degree - by 300.
Due to the high level of both education and research CUT has been granted by the Ministry of Education (MEN) with the status of autonomic school, with wide range of independence regarding curricula, scientific research and university management.