Prior to its transformation into Universitas Islam Negeri Antasari Banjarmasin (a.k.a Antasari State Islamic University) in 2017, UIN Antasari has been well known as Institut Agama Islam Negeri Antasari Banjarmasin (State Institute for Islamic Studies) since its establishment on November 20, 1964. There have been 8 rectors that led IAIN Antasari Banjarmasin since 1964. The first one was K.H. Zafri Zamzam. During his leadership, IAIN Antasari started with four faculties which were spread at different locations in South Kalimantan: Syariah Faculty in Banjarmasin, Syariah Faculty in Kandangan, Tarbiyah Faculty in Barabai, and Ushuluddin Faculty in Amuntai. Subsequently, Tarbiyah Faculty was established in Banjarmasin, followed by its branches in Martapura, Rantau, and Kandangan. In 1970, Dakwah faculty was founded in Banjarmasin. In brief, IAIN Antasari had 9 faculties under KH. Zafri Zamzam’s leadership.
In 1973, under command of the second rector, H. Mastur Jahri, MA., all Tarbiyah Faculties along with their branches were united into one, which was centered in Banjarmasin. In 1987, it was decided that the rest of faculties (Syariah & Ushuluddin faculties) should be integrated into one campus in Banjarmasin.
IAIN Antasari used to only have diploma and undergraduate programs until one day graduated Program was initiated by the fifth rector, Prof. Drs. K.H. M. Asywadie Syukur, Lc., in 1999. He formed a committee to design proposal and present it in front of Central Religious Department in Jakarta. In October 2, 2000, Graduate Program was officially opened to public.
IAIN Antasari arranged its transformation into UIN Antasari after President Decreed No 36/2017 on Islamic State University of Antasari Banjarmasin was issued on April 3, 2017. This made IAIN Antasari seventh rector, Prof. Dr. H. Akh. Fauzi Aseri, M.A., become the first rector of UIN Antasari. Along with this transformation, another faculty, Economy and Islamic Business Faculty, was built. Today, UIN Antasari has total 5 faculties: Tarbiyah and Teachers Training Faculty, Syariah Faculty, Ushuluddin and Humaniora Faculty, Dakwah and Communication Science Faculty, and Economy and Islamic Business Faculty, as well as Graduate Program.