The current AP Hogeschool as a merger university is still relatively young, but the organization can already build on a much longer history. AP Hogeschool, in full Artesis Plantijn Hogeschool Antwerpen, started its first courses under that flag in the academic year 2013-2014. The current university college was created from the merger of Artesis Hogeschool Antwerp and Plantijn University College of the Province of Antwerp.

Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen was founded in 1995 under the name Hogeschool Antwerpen. The university college was created as a merger and reorganization of sixteen training institutes for urban education and community education. In October 2008, the university of applied sciences changed its name to Artesis Hogeschool Antwerpen. Plantin University of the Antwerp Province also saw the light of day in 1995. The university of applied sciences was created from the merger of provincial institutes in and around Antwerp and the Antwerp Higher Institute SPM. Plantin had four campuses in Antwerp and Boom.