LSE has a cosmopolitan student body, drawing its students from around 145 countries worldwide. It also has an influential network of over 100,000 alumni in 190 countries, with more than 70 active alumni groups.
In 2011-12 the School had 9,300 full-time students and over 700 part-time students. Of these, just over half were postgraduates. Around two-thirds of students came from outside the UK.
In all, over 1,600 people work full-time for LSE and 1,300 part-time. About 45 per cent of LSE's staff are drawn from countries outside the UK.
LSE staff are at the forefront of their disciplines. They advise governments, public bodies and government inquiries, and are frequently seconded to national and international organisations.
LSE academics are frequently in the news, commenting on major issues of the day, from Europe's financial crisis to upheaval in the Middle East and climate change.
See also Comment and opinion| and Research highlights|.