The SWS is based at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit at the University of Southampton, previously known as the MRC, ERC (Epidemiology Resource Centre). This was established in 2003 following reconfiguration of the MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit.

Like the Environmental Epidemiology Unit which preceded it, the Resource Centre is closely associated with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Southampton. It is housed in the same building within the grounds of Southampton General Hospital, and was formally opened by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on 23rd May 2005.