Private research institution Boston University (BU) is located in Boston, Massachusetts. Despite being nonsectarian, the university has a long-standing connection to the United Methodist Church. It was established in 1839 by Methodists, with its initial campus located in Newbury, Vermont. In 1867, it relocated to Boston.

The institution, one of Boston's top employers, currently employs more over 4,000 faculty members and close to 34,000 students. Through 17 schools and colleges spread across three urban sites, it offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, doctorates, and degrees in medicine, dentistry, business, and law. The Boston University Medical Campus is situated in Boston's South End, while the main campus is located in the Fenway-Kenmore and Allston areas along the Charles River. The Wheelock College of Education and Human Development, originally Wheelock College, which amalgamated with BU in 2018, is located on the Fenway campus.