National Oceanography Centre
Analysis
National Oceanography Centre is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Southampton. It was registered in September 2019, 7 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 11444362). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides buildings/facilities/open space and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending September 2025, National Oceanography Centre reported income of £87.9m and spending of £90.9m, spending 103% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from September 2021 to September 2025, income grew from £67.1m to £87.9m (+31%), an average of +7.0% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to September 2022, when income rose by 17%. Over the whole period it spent 98% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, National Oceanography Centre sits at the 100th percentile: it is one of the largest 1% in its cause. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 100th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Royal Collection Trust (£85.3m), The British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies (£106.2m) and The Institute of Physics (£85.3m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 81%, trading 17% and investments 1.6%. Charitable activities took 89% of spending and raising funds 9.2%. Reserves of £20.1m would cover about 3 months of spending at that rate. It employed 732 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 81%
- Trading 17%
- Investments 1.6%
- Other 0.1%
In the charity's own words
NOC is a marine science research and technology institution which undertakes integrated sea level science, coastal and deep ocean research and technology development. NOC contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge of the ocean and support education and training of scientists, engineers and marine professionals and engaging the public with the science of the ocean and its implications.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Royal Collection Trust | London | £85.3m |
| The British Academy for the Promotion of Historical Philosophical and Philological Studies | London | £106.2m |
| The Institute of Physics | London | £85.3m |
| The British Film Institute | London | £128.1m |