The University Council of Jamaica was established by an Act of Parliament in 1987 as the national quality assurance body for tertiary education to ensure quality through the adoption and improvement of educational standards. Today, the UCJ functions as a statutory body and is currently under the portfolio of the Minister of Education.

The membership of the governing body of the Council is drawn from the public and private sectors, professional bodies and societies and academic institutions, appointed by the Minister with whom the portfolio resides.  The UCJ is currently headed by Executive Director, Dr Yvonnette Marshall.  Previous Executive Director, Dr Ethley London headed the Council from its inception in 1987 until April of 2011.