Birkbeck, University of London is a public research university, located in Bloomsbury, London, England, and a constituent college of the federal University of London. Established in 1823 as the London Mechanics’ Institute, it is one of the few universities in the UK to specialise in evening higher education. Birkbeck offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and sciences. The college is known for its research excellence and its commitment to widening participation in higher education.