Although it is called the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) and is recognized as a university by the Saskatchewan Government, the institution is actually a federated college of the University of Regina (U. of R.), and degrees earned at the institution are conferred by the U. of R. The enabling legislation is An Act Respecting the University of Regina, Chapter U-5.

There are three campuses.

• Regina Campus: 1 First Nations Way, Regina (on the campus of the University of Regina)
• Saskatoon Campus: 226–230 20th Street East, Saskatoon (on the campus of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies)
• Northern Campus: 1301 Central Ave, Prince Albert

The top two and a half floors of its Regina campus building were formerly leased as office space to Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) until 2014.

First Nations University of Canada students at the Regina campus pay regular U. of R. related and University of Regina Student Union fees. Like the other federated colleges of Luther and Campion, FNUniv students may utilize all of the U. of R. facilities (libraries, book stores, clubs, parking, labs, etc.) and services (meal plans, residences, online services, career counselling, etc.). The FNUniv degree programs are correlated with the rest of the U. of R. curriculum.

Each FNUniv campus features a library, with strengths relating to the subjects and disciplines taught at each campus (Indigenous Studies, Indian Fine Arts, Education, and Business at Regina campus; Indigenous Social Work at Saskatoon campus; and Indigenous Health Studies and Education at Prince Albert campus). The FNUniv libraries have, since 1976, been affiliated with the University of Regina library. FNUniv students and faculty may utilize the FNUniv libraries, as well as the University of Regina library and its other affiliated college libraries (Campion and Luther).

First Nations University of Canada is open to students of all cultures and nationalities and is not restricted to those of First Nations descent.