The University was founded in 1889 by general Stefan Falcoianu. It became the sixth staff school in Europe, after those in Berlin, Vienna, Paris, Turin, Brussels, initially under the name of "Superior War School". French, German and Soviet influences were felt along the years in this institution during the educational process.

“LABOR IMPROBUS OMNIA VINCIT” - "Great labour overcomes everything" has been the motto for the education of over 17.000 officers from all categories of armed forces since the founding of NDU until the present day.
The educational process in the National Defence University "Carol I" is complete and complex and is meant to consolidate the scientific instruments and the methodology needed in order to facilitate the use of principles and norms of military action and leadership at the joint, operational and strategic levels in time of peace, crisis and war.