Walter Sisulu was established on 1 July, 2005 through a merger of the former Border Technikon, Eastern Cape Technikon and the University of Transkei. WSU is a comprehensive university established in terms of the Higher Education Act no 101 of 1997, as amended.

Walter Sisulu has positioned itself as a gateway institution which focuses on improving access to higher education. As a developmental, comprehensive university WSU offers students a wealth of academic choices, articulation and mobility across the qualification spectrum ranging from certificates to diplomas, degrees and postgraduate studies. Strategically located within the Eastern Cape Province, WSU has a footprint of about 1,000 square kilometers across the urban and rural areas of the region. This provides the University with the platform to engage with the drivers of development so that an appropriate programme and research mix can be formulated to meet the needs of the region, province and the country.

Walter Sisulu focuses on quality academic, technological and career-orientated programmes that provide relevant skills for development in both rural and urban areas and it places special emphasis on entrepreneurship.

Walter Sisulu has four campuses with multiple delivery sites are spread across Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City and Komani.