1833
The School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) was founded as a teaching order in Bavaria (Germany) by Mother Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger.

1847
Mother Theresa and five companion sisters set out for North America. They established schools for immigrant children throughout the United States and Canada.

1948
Four sisters were sent from the St. Louis mother house to Kyoto, Japan.

1952
Notre Dame Junior High School was founded in Kyoto.

1953
Notre Dame Senior High School was founded in Kyoto.

1954
Notre Dame Elementary School was founded in Kyoto.

1961
Notre Dame Women's College was founded with the Department of English Language and Literature.

1963
The Department of Life and Culture was started.

1989
International exchange began officially with a year-abroad program. The first students were sent to the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a sister college in the United States.

1999
The name of the college became Notre Dame Women's College of Kyoto.

2000
A new undergraduate curriculum was established with four departments in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Undergraduate admissions of international students began.

2002
The name of the university became Kyoto Notre Dame University. The Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences began with a Master of Arts program in Applied English and Intercultural Studies.

2003
The Graduate Program in Psychology was started. The Psychological Services Center was opened for outpatient care in Maria Hall.

2004
The Graduate Program in Home Sciences and Welfare was started.

2005
The Graduate Program in Cross-Cultural Studies began. The Graduate School of Psychology began doctoral programs. The Faculty of Psychology was started.

2007
The Faculty of Home Sciences and Welfare was started.