Founded in 1933, SCNU was originally known as Guangdong Provincial Xiangqin Normal College, and its history can be traced back to 1888 with the establishment of the Gezhi Academy. Distinguished educators including Lin Liru, He Jie, Du Guoxiang, Chen Weishi, Wang Yanshi and Ma Xiaoyun have previously served as college presidents. A number of famous people who have made tremendous contributions and are of significance the history of China were educated here, among others Wu Sanli, Gao Juefu, Wang Heqing, Sheng Xugong, Wang Yue, Ruan Jingqing, Huang Youmou, Guo Dali, Xiong Daren, Luo Zhaohan, Jao Tsung-I, Pan Jionghua, Luo Jun, Ye Shuwu, Ye Peihua, Wang Deliang, Li Jingchi, Li Kuangwu, Kang Baiqing, Zhu Bo, Liu Songhao, and Sun Ruyong. Over the past nine decades, SCNU has been adhering to the philosophy of “advancing the frontiers of knowledge and cultivating expertise for the society”, and continuing the essence of the motto "fostering the spirit of working hard; pursuing studies with utmost rigor; seeking truth from facts with innovation; and being a model of virtue for others". The university has trained more than 900,000 teachers and talents in other industries.

SCNU has now developed into a comprehensive teacher training university with the distinctive characteristics of teacher education and a full range of academic disciplines. While implementing the development strategy of “highlighting distinctive characteristics in teacher education and advancing the levels of all disciplines”, SCNU promotes the three initiatives of “striving for double world class excellence, improving weak links and pursuing systematic development of teacher education”. It also focuses on internal cultivation and external introduction of high-level young talents, works to build high-end platforms, and devotes itself to ongoing internationalization while staying at the forefront of in the application of IT.