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

In its early years, Wates Campus offered 11 Associate Degree (D3) Study Programs under the Faculty of Engineering (D3 Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical, Electronic, Civil Engineering, Culinary Arts, and Fashion Design), the Faculty of Social Sciences (D3 Secretarial Studies, Accounting, Marketing), and the Faculty of Sports Science (D3 Physical Education). In 2001, the Faculty of Engineering study programs were relocated to the Karangmalang Campus to optimize student practical training, while the D3 Physical Education program was upgraded to a Bachelor's degree (S1 PJKR).

Development continued from 2005 to 2009 with the opening of the D2 Physical Education Primary School Teacher Education (FIK) and D2 Primary School Teacher Education (FIP) at Wates Campus, which were later upgraded to Bachelor's (S1) Physical Education Primary School Teacher Education and the Bachelor's Degree Completion Program (PKS) in Physical Education.

In 2019, all Associate Degree (D3) study programs under the Faculty of Economics and the Faculty of Engineering were strategically upgraded to Applied Bachelor (D4) Study Programs. This major step was taken to align the vocational curriculum with the practical competencies required by the job market and modern applied industries. Classes were conducted across the Wates Campus and Gunungkidul Campus.

Culminating in 2023, UNY Wates Campus officially transformed and established itself independently as the Faculty of Vocational Studies UNY. The Faculty of Vocational Studies oversees 14 Applied Bachelor (D4) Study Programs across 6 main departments, dedicated to cultivating superior vocational graduates who are highly relevant to industry needs.

The establishment of the UNY Campus in Gunungkidul Regency represents a strategic synergy and shared vision between the Rector of UNY, Prof. Dr. Sutrisno Wibawa, M.Pd., and the Regent of Gunungkidul, Hj. Badingah, S.Sos. The campus is located in Kepuh Hamlet, Pacarejo Village, Semanu District, Gunungkidul Regency. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on Friday, February 21, 2019, attended by university executives and local government officials.

The construction of the four-story campus building—equipped with spacious parking facilities and modern infrastructure—was completed within one year and grandly inaugurated on Monday, August 31, 2020, by the Rector of UNY and the Regent of Gunungkidul. The inaugural lectures commenced on September 1, 2020, conducted online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In its first operational year, UNY Gunungkidul Campus introduced 6 Applied Bachelor (D4 Vocational) Study Programs, namely: Fashion Design, Culinary Arts, Electronics, Office Administration, Public Sector Accounting, and Digital Economics. Public enthusiasm was remarkably high, recording 1,147 applicants from 13 provinces competing for 375 accepted student slots.

To oversee academic and operational activities, a administrative management structure was established, led by Dr. Slamet Suyanto, M.Ed. (Head of Management) and Dr. Sutopo, M.T., S.Pd. (Secretary of Management), supported by 4 administrative staff members and 17 faculty members under the mentorship of senior lecturers from UNY's Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Economics.