Academic life has evolved gradually, including different fields and specialties. Among these, medicine has played an essential part, ever since 1775, when the "Medical and Surgical School" has been founded. The renowned ophthalmologist Ioan Piuariu-Molnar was a distinctive figure among its teaching staff. In 1816, the Medical and Surgical School became known as the "Medical and Surgical High school".

The Hungarian Faculty of Medicine has been founded in 1872, a part of the recently established University "Ferencz Jozsef" of Cluj. Many Hospitals and Medical Institutes have opened their doors between 1888 and 1901, built along the street Mikó, nowadays known as the Clinics' Street. Among the distinguished professors of this faculty, Zsigmond Purjesz, Miklos Jancso, Károly Lechner, Tamás Marschalko, Jozsef Brandt, Istvan Apáthy, György Hintz, and Zsigmond Jakabházy have paid important contributions to the development of their medical specialty.

The Faculty of Medicine has established its solid reputation, based on the pioneering work of the famous professors Octavian Fodor, Aurel Moga, Ion Chiricuta, Aurel Nana, Rodica Dascalu, Ion Baciu, Ion Albu, Victor Preda, Gheorghe Badenski, Rubin Popa and Gheorghe Badea. The Faculty of Paediatrics took great pride in the contribution of its remarkable professors: Axente Iancu, Iuliana Târlea, Aurel Chisu, Eugenia Mihalca, while illustrious Stomatology Professors were represented by Vasile Vasilescu, Cornel Opris and Iosif Baba. At the same time, the first dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy was Professor Erwin Popper. Other important medical personalities were: Teodor Goina, Vigil Galea, Ioan Simiti and Victor Ciocanelea.

Since 1990, Medical and Pharmaceutical education at Cluj-Napoca evolved at a rapid pace. The same year, the Medico-Pharmaceutical Institute has changed its name into the "University of Medicine and Pharmacy". The iconic figure of Iuliu Hatieganu has been added to the university's name in 1992.