In September 1958, Ningxia Medical College was founded.

In October 1962, the former Ningxia Medical College, Ningxia Agricultural College and Ningxia Normal College were incorporated into Ningxia University, and Ningxia Medical College was renamed as School of Medicine of Ningxia University.

In May 1972, Shanghai Railway Medical College moved to Yinchuan, and combined with School of Medicine of Ningxia University to rebuild Ningxia Medical College.

In March 1980, Ningxia Medical College was approved for recruiting 1200 students by the State Council, including postgraduate, undergraduate, advanced students and premed students. Ningxia Medical College began to recruit postgraduate for the first time.

In November 2002, Ningxia Medical College, Ningxia Health School and Ningxia Nursing School were incorporated into new Ningxia Medical College.

In October 2006, the college passed the undergraduate teaching proficiency assessment of Ministry of Education.

In September 2007, the new campus was put into use.
In September 2008, the college was renamed as Ningxia Medical University on the fiftieth anniversary.

In February 2012, Ningxia Medical University was approved for construction of Doctorial Degree Conferring Unit
In April 2010, the university was awarded the honorary title of the first 50 national typical universities with graduate employment experience.
In March 2011, Ministry of Education approved that Shandong University and Ningxia Medical University were brought into the project of counterpart support to western institutions of higher learning. Shandong University has established counterpart assistance relationship with our university. 
In December 2011, the university won the title of National Civilized Unit.

In July 2012, the university won the title of national advanced basic-level Party organization for the best performance.