The history of the Faculty of Vocational Studies UNY Kulon Progo Campus began with the conversion of the Sports Teacher School (SGO) building located in Serut Hamlet, Pengasih Village, Pengasih Subdistrict, Kulon Progo Regency. The building complex, which had previously been frozen by the government since 1992, was officially repurposed in 2000 to be managed by IKIP Yogyakarta (before transforming into UNY).

In its early days, the Wates Campus organized 11 Diploma III (D3) Study Programs from the Faculty of Engineering (D3 Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical, Electronics, Civil Engineering, Culinary Arts, Fashion), the Faculty of Social Sciences (D3 Secretarial, Accounting, Marketing), and the Faculty of Sports Sciences (D3 Physical Education). In 2001, the Faculty of Engineering study programs were moved to Karangmalang to optimize student practicums, while the D3 Physical Education was upgraded to an Undergraduate Degree (S1) in Physical Education, Health, and Recreation (PJKR).

The development continued from 2005 to 2009 with the opening of the D2 PGSD Physical Education (FIK) and D2 PGSD Class (FIP) at the Wates Campus, which were later upgraded to the S1 PGSD Physical Education level as well as the Continuing Study Program (PKS) for S1 Physical Education.

In 2019, all Diploma III (D3) study programs at the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Engineering were strategically upgraded to Applied Bachelor Programs (D4). This major step was taken to align the vocational curriculum with the practical competencies of the modern working world and applied industry. The lectures are held at the Wates Campus and the Gunungkidul Campus.

At its peak in 2023, the UNY Wates Campus officially transformed and stood independently as the Faculty of Vocational Studies UNY. The Faculty of Vocational Studies houses 14 Applied Bachelor Study Programs (D4) from 6 main Departments dedicated to producing excellent vocational graduates relevant to the industry.

The establishment of the UNY Campus in Gunungkidul Regency is a manifestation of strategic synergy and a shared idea between the Rector of UNY, Prof. Dr. Sutrisno Wibawa, M.Pd. and the Regent of Gunungkidul, Hj. Badingah, S.Sos. This campus is located in Kepuh Hamlet, Pacarejo Village, Semanu Subdistrict, Gunungkidul Regency. The ground breaking ceremony was held on Friday, February 21, 2019, attended by university and regional leaders.

The construction of the four-story campus building equipped with a parking area and modern facilities was completed within a year, then grandly inaugurated on Monday, August 31, 2020 by the Rector of UNY and the Regent of Gunungkidul. The first lecture was held on September 1, 2020 online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In its first year of operation, the UNY Gunungkidul Campus opened 6 Applied Bachelor Study Programs (D4 Vocational), namely: Fashion Design, Culinary Arts, Electronics, Office Administration, Public Accounting, and Digital Economy. Public enthusiasm was very high, with 1,147 applicants from 13 provinces competing for the 375 quota of accepted new students.

To run the academic and operational activities of the campus, a management structure was formed led by Dr. Slamet Suyanto, M.Ed. (Head of Management) and Dr. Sutopo, M.T., S.Pd. (Secretary of Management), supported by 4 educational staff and 17 teaching lecturers under the guidance of senior lecturers from the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Economics UNY.