1952, October 17: With the academic ceremony inaugurating the School of Law, the University of Navarra is born. On the site of the historic "Cámera de Comptos", the School of Law began its first academic year with 48 students and eight professors (Ismael Sánchez Bella, Leandro Benavides, José Luis Murga, Jerónimo Martel Dávila, Rafael Aizpún Tuero, Remigio Abad, Angel López-Amo y Angel Mª García Dorronsoro).
The founder of the University is St. Josemaría Escrivá.

1954, October 7: Ismael Sánchez Bella named President of the University.

1955, October 8: The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (Filosofía y Letras) is born in the building of the Museum of Navarra. Over the 1955-56 academic year, the number of students enrolled in the University rises to 184.

1958, November 25: In Barcelona, the International Graduate School of Management (IESE) begins its first program, which enrolls 20 business executives.

1959, October: The Association of Friends of the University is organized, with the goal of collaborating in the work of financially supporting the University.

1960: The Institute of Liberal Arts is brought into being.

1960, February 2: José Mª Albareda, the General Secretary of the Higher Council of Scientific Research, takes over as President of the University.

1960, August 6: The Holy See establishes the "Estudio General de Navarra" as a University. In October, a Decree of the Congregation of Seminaries and Universities names its founder, St. Josemaría, as Grand Chancellor.

1960, October 25: The Grand Chancellor receives the title of Adopted Son of Pamplona. To celebrate the proclamation of the new University, a Mass is held in the Cathedral of Pamplona.

1961, October: A new building is added to those already existing: the first phase of the University Hospital, with thirty beds. In addition, an addition to the Modern Language Institute is completed.