The student movement in Gothenburg dates back to the late 19th century.

Gothenburg University was founded in 1891, the same year as the first student association at Gothenburg University was formed. In 1907, the student union became the University of Gothenburg Student Union and is a direct model for what is today Göta studentkår. 

Göta studentkår was formed in 2010, the same year that the student union fee became voluntary, and is a merger of three student unions: Filosofiska fakultetens studentkår (FFS), Haga studentkår and Studentkåren för lärarutbildningen vid Göteborgs universitet (SLUG).. The Göta studentkår today represents a majority of all students at the University of Gothenburg.