South China University of Technology is one of China's earliest higher education institutions engaged in computer research and teaching. In 1958, it commenced computer science research, successfully developing the first analog electronic computer in South China. 

Subsequently, it also developed China's first Russian-Chinese translation machine. In 1960, the university established a computer science program. In 1981, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering was established. In 2001, the School of Computer Science and Engineering was founded. In 2018, the IEEE Guangzhou Chapter was established within the School of Computer Science and Engineering. In 2019, the Computer Science and Technology program was selected as a National First-Class Major by the Ministry of Education. In 2020, the Computer Science and Technology program received accreditation from the China Engineering Education Accreditation Association. In 2021, the School was approved as a base for the Ministry of Education's Top Talent Cultivation Program 2.0 in Computer Science. In May 2022, Computer Science entered the top 1‰ globally in the ESI rankings for the first time, becoming the fifth discipline at South China University of Technology to achieve this distinction after Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, and Agricultural Sciences. In 2024, the discipline advanced to the top 0.45‰ globally in ESI.

The School currently operates one postdoctoral research station, one first-level doctoral program in Computer Science and Technology (a Guangdong Provincial Key Discipline), one professional doctoral degree program in Computer and Software Engineering (under the Electronics and Information category), and one professional master's degree program in Computer Technology (under the Electronics and Information category). It offers three undergraduate programs: Computer Science and Technology (National First-Class Major, National Characteristic Major, National Outstanding Engineer Program, Guangdong Provincial Key Major, Guangdong Provincial Characteristic Major, Guangdong Provincial Brand Major); Network Engineering (National Characteristic Major, Guangdong Provincial First-Class Major, Guangdong Provincial Characteristic Major); and Information Security (Guangdong Provincial First-Class Major). The school currently enrolls 2,367 students, including 193 doctoral candidates, 586 master's candidates, and 1,588 undergraduates.

The faculty comprises 109 members, including 81 full-time teachers. Among them, 73 hold associate senior titles or above, accounting for 90% of full-time faculty. 77 faculty members hold doctoral degrees, representing 95% of full-time faculty, while those under 45 years old constitute 43% of full-time faculty. The faculty includes 1 European Academy of Sciences member, 3 IEEE Fellows, 1 National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars recipient, 4 National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars recipients, 1 Young Changjiang Scholar, 8 Guangdong Provincial Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars recipients, 1 Young Pearl River Scholar, and 2 adjunct professors. This team excels in both cutting-edge fundamental research and national key projects, as well as in industry-academia-research collaboration and technology transfer.

The school houses one Ministry of Education Engineering Research Center, two provincial-level key laboratories, one Ministry of Science and Technology key field innovation team, four provincial engineering centers, and one provincial innovation platform. Organized by research focus, the School has established 10 academic research teams conducting studies in data science and artificial intelligence, multimedia technology and image processing, cyberspace security, and software reliability assurance. In recent years, these teams have undertaken major national research projects including the National Key R&D Program, National Natural Science Foundation key projects, and collaborative initiatives, publishing numerous high-impact academic papers. As a key participant, the School contributed to major national projects including the “CERNET Demonstration Project” and “ChinaGrid.” Over the past three years, it secured RMB 117 million in contracted funding, published 710 high-impact papers, obtained 323 authorized invention patents, and received 2 first-class and 8 second-class Provincial Science and Technology Progress Awards. The School has emerged as a vital national hub for cultivating talent and advancing research in computer science and technology.

The School prioritizes cultivating students' comprehensive competencies, including innovation, practical skills, and humanistic qualities. Since its establishment, it has nurtured numerous elite computer professionals for South China and the nation. Its distinguished alumni span the globe, including industry leaders, renowned entrepreneurs, and distinguished scholars. Notable alumni include: - Zhang Zhide, co-founder and Lifetime Honorary Advisor of Tencent, Honorary Dean of Tencent Academy - He Xiaopeng, founder of UCWeb and Chairman of Xpeng Motors - Chen Di, founder and CEO of Youmi Technology, named one of Forbes China's 30 Under 30 - Tao Yufei, ACM Distinguished Scientist and Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong ACM Distinguished Scientist and Professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong Tao Yufei; National Outstanding Youth Award recipient, Jinan University Professor and Vice President Weng Jian; and Huang Guan, Founder of Guangzhou Senji Software Technology Co., Ltd. and CEO of Litchi Microclass.