In Feb. 1979, Tianjin Normal Technical College was founded on the basis of Tianjin Labor Bureau Technical School and Tianjin 5th Machine Tool Plant in an effort to meet the demand for vocational teachers. Approved by Hua Guofeng, premier of the State Council, Deng Xiaoping, vice premier and other 14 heads of state, the school was sponsored by the former State Administration of Labor. (State Administration of Labor, Ministry of Education (79), Labor and Personnel File No. 7, Education Program File No. 51)

In Nov. 1983, having approved by Ministry of Labor and Personnel, the school was renamed as Tianjin College of Vocational Technology and Education. （Labor and Personnel File No. 61﹝1983﹞）；

In Feb. 2000, as approved by the General Office of the State Council, the school began to be co-sponsored by central and local authorities, mainly by local authorities. (File No. 11 issued by the General Office of the State Council﹝2000﹞)

 In May, 2004, approved by the Ministry of Education, the school was renamed as Tianjin College of Technology and Education. (File No. 75, issued by the Ministry of Education, 2004)

In March 2010, as approved by the Ministry of Education, the school was renamed Tianjin University of Technology and Education. (File No. 30, issued by the Ministry of Education, 2010)

In March 2012, Ministry of Education and Tianjin Municipal Government signed an official agreement to co-sponsor Tianjin University of Technology and Education.