The University of North Carolina (UNC) System is a public university system in the state of North Carolina, United States, consisting of 16 constituent institutions across the state. Established in 1971 through the consolidation of previously independent public senior colleges and universities, the system traces its roots to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which was chartered in 1789 and began operations in 1795, making it the oldest public university in the United States. The UNC System serves over 240,000 students through undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, emphasizing education, research, and public service to benefit the people of North Carolina and beyond. It oversees key affiliates including UNC Health, PBS North Carolina, the University of North Carolina Press, and the North Carolina Arboretum, contributing to healthcare, media, publishing, and environmental initiatives.

The system's flagship campus, UNC-Chapel Hill, is a leading research university known for its contributions to fields like medicine, public health, and the humanities, with a research enterprise valued at over $1 billion annually that supports jobs and economic development across 81 North Carolina counties. Other prominent institutions include North Carolina State University in Raleigh, focused on engineering and agriculture; the University of North Carolina at Greensboro; and East Carolina University, among others such as Appalachian State University, Fayetteville State University, and Winston-Salem State University. The UNC System promotes accessibility and diversity in higher education, with a commitment to serving rural and underserved communities while fostering innovation and public engagement.

In recent years, the UNC System has been involved in debates over free speech and academic freedom on its campuses, including disputes regarding faculty tenure policies, diversity initiatives, and the handling of controversial speakers or protests. These issues have drawn national attention, highlighting tensions between institutional governance, state politics, and First Amendment rights. The system continues to play a pivotal role in North Carolina's economy and cultural landscape, employing tens of thousands and driving advancements in research and public service.