Gümüşhane University was established by Law No. 5765, which was enacted on May 31, 2008, and published in the Official Gazette. Initially, the university comprised the newly established Faculty of Communication, the Faculty of Engineering (previously affiliated with KTÜ and renamed), the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, the Gümüşhane School of Health (later transformed into a faculty), Gümüşhane Vocational School, Şiran Vocational School, Gümüşhane Health Services Vocational School, and the Kelkit Aydın Doğan Vocational School, which was transferred from Erzincan University, as well as the newly established Graduate Education Institute. In 2013, the Faculty of Engineering was renamed the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, and the School of Tourism and Hotel Management was transformed into the Faculty of Tourism. In 2016, the School of Health was transformed into the Faculty of Health Sciences.

Since its establishment, Gümüşhane University has experienced continuous growth, adding new faculties, schools, and vocational schools. The university has expanded to include the Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Letters, School of Physical Education and Sports, School of Applied Sciences, Kelkit School of Health Services, İrfan Can Köse Vocational School, Kürtün Vocational School, Torul Vocational School, Şiran Health Services Vocational School, and the School of Social Sciences. Additionally, it has established several research and application centers, including the Continuing Education Application and Research Center, Organic Agriculture Application and Research Center, Central Research Laboratory, Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicines Application and Research Center, Educational Technologies Application and Research Center, Language Education Application and Research Center, Ahmed Ziyaüddin Gümüşhanevi Application and Research Center, Technology Transfer Office, Career Development Center, Distance Education Center, Occupational Health and Safety Education Center, Turkish Language Teaching Center, and the Mining Application and Research Center.

Under the rectorate, departments such as Atatürk Principles and Revolution History, Turkish Language, Physical Education, Informatics, Foreign Languages, and Fine Arts are also included. Gümüşhane University continues its rapid growth with 1 institute, 7 faculties, 2 schools, 10 vocational schools, and 13 research and application centers.