Memorial University of Newfoundland is a non-denominational university in St John’s, Newfoundland. Memorial University began as Memorial University College (MUC), which opened in September 1925 at a campus on Parade Street in St. John’s.

The first president was J. L. Paton. It offered the first two years of university studies. MUC’s initial enrollment was 57 students, rising to a peak of over 400 in the 1940s. In 1933 it merged with the adjacent Normal School and took responsibility for teacher training. During the College’s early years it received considerable support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

The college was established as a memorial to the Newfoundlanders who had lost their lives on active service during the First World War. It was later rededicated to also encompass the province’s war dead of the Second World War. Alan Beddoe designed the coats of arms for the Memorial University of Newfoundland. The post-Confederation government elevated the status of Memorial University College to full university status in August 1949, renaming the institution to Memorial University of Newfoundland. Memorial University was established by the Memorial University Act.