Getting a Covid-19 test

Everything you need to know about Covid-19 tests.

How to get regular lateral flow tests

Order tests online
You can get a pack of seven rapid tests sent to your home. If you do tests at home, you’ll need to report your results online or on the phone. Order rapid lateral flow home test kits.

Collect tests to do at home

Staff and students can collect home testing kits from several campus locations. Alternatively, you can collect up to two packs of LFD tests from a local pharmacy – including the University Pharmacy on campus.

The tests are free and you get a result 30 minutes after taking each test. If you do tests at home, you’ll need to report your results online or on the phone. It is important to report both negative and positive test results.

Go to a test site off campus

Find where to get a rapid lateral flow test off campus.

If you are showing symptoms (a new cough, a high temperature or changes in your sense of smell or taste), you must self-isolate and book a PCR test. There’s plenty of testing capacity in Brighton, so results are returned quickly.

More about the testing

Lateral flow tests are designed to detect the level of virus in people who do not show any symptoms but could still pass the virus to others.

Regular testing should be carried out every 3-5 days and the highest recommended frequency is one test every three days.

Tests are free of charge.

Consent and personal information

Every time you take a test, you register your unique barcode. This process links you to your test sample and collects your contact details.

You don’t need to create an account to do this but, if you do, your details are saved.

To register, you provide your name, gender, date of birth, ethnic group, recent travel details, email address, mobile phone number and home address, plus details of any Covid symptoms.

See UK government privacy information.

You can also download a joint statement between UCEA and HE trade unions on Covid-19 testing for staff [PDF 155KB].

Test results

It is important to report both negative and positive test results to the NHS.

If a test shows a positive result for Covid-19, you must self-isolate immediately.

Even if you receive a negative result, you should carry on following government and University guidance to help minimise the spread of Covid-19. Please continue to:

wear a mask in confined spaces unless you are exempt from doing so
wash or sanitise your hands regularly, especially before and after moving between rooms and buildings
keep a social distance of at least two metres from all others wherever possible.

Guidance for students

We're keeping students updated through the Student Hub.

More information for students can be found on the getting tested page.

See all Coronavirus guidance for Sussex students, so you know where to direct any queries you receive.

Access to campus for laboratory work

Researchers (including PhD students) who need to be on campus for lab work should take two lateral flow tests, at least three days apart. Ideally you will have both lateral flow tests (and get negative results on both) before accessing labs on campus; however, if that is not possible you may return to the lab after the first lateral flow test, provided it is negative, whilst you wait for your second test.

People travelling from overseas

People travelling back to Sussex from overseas will need to self-isolate (or quarantine) as part of current guidance on arriving from abroad, they should do this immediately and not book the mass asymptomatic tests. You can shorten your isolation period, however, by booking a PCR test at least five days after your flight, see below.

Lateral flow tests are not part of the “test to release for international travel scheme”. If you arrange a private PCR after five days of isolation and then receive a negative result you can end your isolation due to traveling from overseas. The Government has shared a list of providers.

Once you have finished your period of self-isolation, as long as you are not experiencing any symptoms, you can leave isolation. Anyone working or studying on campus will need to follow the rules that have been established to make the campus Covid-secure.

If you have Covid-19 symptoms, report these using the University’s online reporting webpage.

More questions

Get answers about Covid-19 tests.

Who should be tested

I’ve travelled from overseas – should I take lateral flow tests?

You should immediately self-isolate (quarantine) after arriving from overseas, in accordance with the guidance on arriving from abroad. When you have finished your self-isolation period, if you are not experiencing any symptoms of Covid-19, you can return to work as usual. If you do have Covid-19 symptoms, you must report these using our online symptom reporting form.

I’ve already had Covid-19 – what should I do?

If you have recently (within 90 days) tested positive for Covid-19, you are likely to have developed some immunity, and therefore a repeat LFD test is unlikely to be necessary within this period. If, having recently tested positive for Covid-19, you choose to have an LFD test as part of this programme, make sure the LFD test is not taken while you are still within your period of isolation following the last confirmed test. If symptoms (other than cough or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell) persist, this could be longer than the normal 10-day self-isolation period for confirmed cases. This is described in Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (Covid-19) infection.

Lateral flow tests

I’m confused – how many different types of tests are there and what’s the difference?

There are two main types of test used to check if people have Coronavirus. The first type of test is known as a PCR test, and looks for the virus’s genetic material (Ribonucleic acid, or RNA). These tests are currently more commonly used in the NHS for symptomatic testing. They are processed in a laboratory. The second type of test is a lateral flow (LFD) test, which detects the Coronavirus antigen that is produced when a person is infectious. These are quicker tests, which produce a result within 30 minutes and do not require a laboratory to be processed.

How accurate are these tests?

The LFD tests have a high specificity, which means there is a very low chance of false positive test results. The test does not detect all positive cases, however, and works best in cases with higher viral loads – i.e. those who are most infectious. As the test is easy to administer and does not require a laboratory, repeat tests can be carried out. The benefit will be the ability to detect a significant number of people without symptoms who are infectious; they will then be asked to self-isolate, which will reduce the transmission of the coronavirus.

Do I have to take a lateral flow test?

The Covid-19 lateral flow tests are not compulsory, but we strongly encourage staff who need to work on campus to take regular tests to help minimise the spread of Covid-19.

How sensitive are the lateral flow tests being used?

Lateral flow devices (LFDs) are less sensitive to Covid-19 infections during the initial stages of an infection when compared to PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests – the type that symptomatic people get through the NHS.

For LFD tests to be effective you should take more than one. Regular testing should be carried out every 3-5 days and the highest recommended frequency is one test every three days.

Mass testing using LFDs is only one measure to help reduce the spread of Covid-19. Right now, the best ways to keep our community, family and friends safe are social distancing, face-coverings and self-isolating if necessary. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of the mass testing facility while it is offered – but its availability does not mean that other precautions can be ignored or relaxed.

Test results

How will I get my test results?

If you took your test at a test centre off campus, you will receive a message with your results by text or email, depending on which details you provide when you register.

How long does it take to get results?

In most cases, LFD results will be communicated within a day of the test – most likely within a few hours. If you have not received your result after 48 hours, please return to the test site for another LFD test.

Who else has access to my results?

On arrival at your test appointment, you will be provided with a test kit and card and asked to register. You will be notified of your test result by text message or to the email address you provide when you register. Your personal information relating to test registration and results is processed by NHS Test and Trace. See how NHS Test and Trace will use your data. A copy of your result will be sent to your GP. If you have tested positive, a notification will be sent to Public Health England.

What happens if my test result is negative?

If you’re taking tests at home, it is important to report negative test results to the NHS.

If the test result is negative, you can continue to work as usual.

Why do we have to maintain distancing after a negative test?

After a negative test, you could still become infected and spread the virus. Respecting distancing when it’s needed and other rules is the most powerful way of stopping the spread of the virus.

What happens if I test positive for Covid-19?

If you test positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days. You will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace for information about your recent activities and people you met whilst you were potentially infectious.

Other types of test

Someone I live with has symptoms – what should I do?

If you are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested for positive Covid-19, you should book a test via NHS Test and Trace. If you then test negative for Coronavirus, you must continue self-isolation at home for 10 days. If you test positive, you must self-isolate for 10 days.

I need a PCR test – how can I book a private test?

If you need to book a private PCR test (for example, so that you can travel to another country), there are a few options:

Pharmacies such as the University Pharmacy on campus, Boots and Lloyds offer private Covid-19 tests. You’ll find instructions for making an appointment on their websites
private clinics
some places send out home test kits you can use.

Private providers of Covid-19 testing include:

IQ Doctor – you can order a private home PCR test kit online, with next-day delivery (for an additional charge) and a ‘fit to fly’ certificate
City Doc – you can order a private home PCR test kit online. City Doc also has a clinic in the Withdean area of Brighton. Appointments are available (at an additional charge) if you are required to have the test completed by a professional rather than administering it yourself
Sussex Travel Clinic – you can book an appointment at one of their clinics in Hove and Worthing.

Note that we don’t have personal experiences of the services provided by these firms and this information doesn’t constitute any endorsement or approval by the University of Sussex.

It’s important that you shop around before booking a private test. The cost of a test varies, but you probably won’t pay less than £100. You might need to wait a day or so to get your test results.