The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (NOCS) is a purpose-built, joint venture between the University of Southampton and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Opened in 1996, it is one of a group of world-class centres of excellence specialising in marine science, earth science and marine technology. It is unique in providing a platform for leading interdisciplinary research alongside a comprehensive teaching facility.
The NOCS comprises the University of Southampton's School of Ocean and Earth Sciences which operates alongside four NERC research divisions and the NERC Research Ships Unit (RSU). In addition to housing some 450 research scientists and staff, over 600 undergraduate and postgraduate students call the NOCS home. The NOCS's on-site resources include the UK National Oceanographic Library, the nationally important Discovery Collections and the British Ocean Sediment Core Repository. The NOCS is also the base for the purpose-built research vessels RRS Discovery and RRS James Cook (and formerly the RRS Charles Darwin).
Prior to the 1 May 2005, NOCS was known as the Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC). The name was changed to reflect the Centre's prominence in ocean and earth sciences within the UK.
The NOCS is located at the University of Southampton Waterfront Campus, European Way, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 3ZH, UK.