Founded in 1949 under the National School Establishment Law, Yokohama National University (YMU) initiated its academic journey with the establishment of the Yokohama Normal School in 1876. The university came into being with the mergers of the Yokohama Normal School, the Kanagawa Prefectural Training Institution for Teachers of Supplementary Vocational Education, the Yokohama Higher School of Commerce and the Yokohama Higher School of Technology. YNU offers undergraduate and graduate level courses taught in Japanese and English and has its essential focus on promoting student diversity. The university comprises of 5 colleges for undergraduate studies and 5 graduate level schools. 11 undergraduate and graduate programs are offered in English and for these courses, international students are not required to prove their proficiency in Japanese. Undergraduate and graduate programs are available in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences, Engineering Agriculture, Fisheries, Veterinary, Medical and Health Sciences, Life Sciences, Arts and Design along with a wide range of interdisciplinary programs. The university has a total of residence halls on campus. These are, Ooka International Residence, Tokiwadai International Residence, Minesawa International Student Dormitory and lastly the International Student House which avails accommodation services to international students.