Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) started as Kolej Ugama Sultan Zainal Abidin (KUSZA). KUSZA commenced operation on 1st January 1980 at Batu Burok before moving to Hajah Wook Building in Pulau Kambing in 1981.

KUSZA was upgraded to a university status and became Universiti Darul Iman (UDM). UDM underwent a rebranding process on 14th May 2010 and became known as Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA). The name of the late Sultan Zainal Abidin III Muazzam Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Muazzam Shah II, Sultan The 11th Terengganu is adopted to honor the services of His Majesty in spreading knowledge and religion in the state of Terengganu.

On 29th November 2013, a new UniSZA logo was introduced. UniSZA currently operates in three campuses, namely the Gong Badak Campus (Kuala Nerus) as the main campus, Medical Campus (Kuala Terengganu), and Besut Campus, as well as operating a satellite office in Putrajaya.