The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) was established officially in 1992 under the Dublin Institute of Technology Act but had been previously setup in 1978 on an ad-hoc basis. The institution can trace its origins back to 1887 with the establishment of various technical institutions in Dublin, Ireland. The institution considers itself to be quite distinct from other Institutes of Technology in Ireland; it continues to build on its long tradition of providing education from certificate to doctorate level.

The institution is currently planning a single campus, the Grangegorman Campus, thus moving from its many city centre locations which has often been a source of criticism. In 1993 the institution was formally separated from the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee, the colleges and their original year of foundation:

• College of Technology, Bolton Street (1911)
• College of Catering, Cathal Brugha Street (1941)
• College of Music, Chatham Row (1890)
• College of Technology, Kevin Street (1887)
• College of Marketing and Design, Mountjoy Square (1905)
• College of Commerce, Rathmines (1901)