We're working closely with NHS Test and Trace to offer simple, safe and free COVID-19 tests to students who are showing no symptoms. Getting tested doesn't just keep you safe, it keeps your friends, family and teachers safe - especially those with vulnerabilities.
We expect ALL students who are coming to campus - for teaching, to use the library, or other essential activities - to book a test.
Please do not travel to campus just to get a test done, as unnecessary transport increases the risk of transmission.
Find out more about what to expect at the test site in the video - it's quick, easy, and helps to keep everyone safe.
We have set up a testing centre as part of the national testing programme for universities to support students coming onto campus. The centre uses rapid Lateral Flow Tests (LFT) which provide results within two hours.
If you're coming onto campus (for teaching, to use the library, or other essential activities) you should allow enough time to take two of these tests, three days apart. Taking two tests means the results will be more reliable and you can keep your friends, family and teachers safe.
Please remember that your results only reflect your status at the time of taking the test and you must keep following our community agreement to protect yourself and others, even if you test negative.
Please note: If you do have symptoms of COVID-19 or are feeling ill, please do not come to campus. Instead, you can order a free home test from the NHS or if you are able to, visit a test site.
Testing will take place at MDX House on campus. Testing will be carried out from Monday to Friday between 9am - 12pm. You can find a map of campus on UniHub.
You will be invited to take two lateral flow tests 3 days apart before going home.
Appointments will need to be booked beforehand to ensure social distancing can be maintained and that we keep everyone safe.
Booking a test is simple and quick, please follow these steps:
Once you have had your test, you should receive your results within 4-6 hours. However, occasionally the results take longer to come through, and may take up to 48 hours to arrive.
If you do test positive for COVID-19, you will need to self-isolate immediately and let us know as soon as possible by completing this short form (and reading this privacy notice).
You will also need to book a follow-up test at a public test site. The nearest to campus is the site at Fenella building car park (at the rear of Ravensfield). This site also allows for asymptomatic testing for Middlesex students who have received a positive from the lateral flow test. You can book your test via the Government’s website.
We won’t be informed by the NHS if you have tested positive, so please do let us know so we can make sure we support you through your period of isolation.
If you still feel unwell after 10 days you must contact NHS 111.
If you receive a negative result, we would ask that you book a new test within three days.
After two negative test results, we expect you to continue social distancing and following COVID-19 secure measures on campus.
Please note that this test will pick up most infections but not all. This is why we are encouraging students to take two tests. If you have one negative test it makes it less likely you have COVID-19, if you receive two negative results it reduces the likelihood you have COVID-19 further. However, this test is not 100% accurate and you need to continue to follow social distancing guidance to protect yourself and others.
The Lateral flow test (LFT) is designed to detect the level of virus in individuals who do not experience or show any symptoms (they are asymptomatic), but who could still be infectious and pass the virus to others.
By taking a test, you will help to stop the spread of the virus, protect other people and save lives.
It's really important that we all do our bit to stop the spread of the virus and protect other members of society.
Participating in the test will help our country fight the pandemic and save lives. Self-isolation, whilst disruptive for those affected, is an essential part of the fight against the virus.
No, this test is aimed at students and staff in universities.
If family members experience COVID-19 symptoms, they must follow standard government guidance, including self-isolating immediately and booking a test through nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 in England and Wales, or 0300 303 2713 in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
No, you should only get a test if you are coming onto campus for teaching, to use the library or other facilities. You should not make any unnecessary trips to campus to get tested.
There are two main types of test used to check if people currently have coronavirus.
The first is a PCR test which 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 require a laboratory to be processed.
The second is called a Lateral Flow Antigen Test which detects the coronavirus antigen that is produced when a person is infectious with coronavirus. These are quicker, produce a result within 30 minutes and do not require a laboratory to be processed. This is the test that we are offering at our testing site on campus.
If you are coming onto campus you should ideally allow enough time to take two of these tests, three days apart.
Lateral Flow Tests do not detect every single positive case, and therefore taking two tests increases the chances of detection.
Lateral Flow Tests are very accurate (highly specific) which means that only a very small proportion of people who do not have coronavirus will receive a positive result (false positive).
In mass testing, because so many people without symptoms are being tested, there is still the possibility of getting a false positive result. Therefore, a confirmatory PCR test is recommended to make sure the result is correct.
If you receive a positive test from the Lateral Flow Test, you should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test at a public testing site nearest to you.
To keep everyone on #TeamMDX safe, and as set out in our community statement, appropriate face coverings need to be worn throughout the testing process and whilst in the testing facility. You will be advised when to remove your face covering by a testing professional when your sample is taken.
Should you have an age, health or disability reason for not wearing a face covering, please alert the site manager about your situation as soon as you arrive on site so that they can take additional precautions.
Please note the visor alone is not considered face covering as they do not provide adequate protection alone.
Any student booking a test slot on campus should complete the Return to Campus Risk Assessment. From this, based on the responses you give regarding your health condition and/or disability, you will receive a Low, Moderate, or High Risk rating.
If you receive a Low rating, you can book any Non-Vulnerable slot.
If you receive a Moderate or High Risk rating, you must book a Vulnerable Student slot. These are designed at times of the day when the testing centre will be quieter and allow for more time between tests.
If you have a visual or hearing impairment, please email disability@mdx.ac.uk upon your booking so that suitable arrangements can be made.
MDX House was identified as a suitable location for the testing centre and has wheelchair access throughout the building.
You will receive a message with your results by text or email, depending on which details you provided when you registered.
In most cases LFT 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 test.
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 (in England)
Middlesex University and NHS Test and Trace also takes the protection of your privacy very seriously. Find out how we use your personal data when you register for a coronavirus test.
If the test result is negative, you will then need to book your second LFT to confirm this.
This means it’s likely you were infectious when the test was done. You will need to book a different test to confirm the result. Go to the Government website and choose Home Testing (do not choose a test site).
In the meantime, keep self-isolating. You must, by law, self-isolate for 10 days from the date of this test. People you live with must self-isolate for 10 days from when you started self-isolating. You should be contacted by contact tracers. Use 111 online or call 111 if you need medical help.
In an emergency dial 999. Please read the Government's coronavirus page for more advice.
Please inform the University by emailing the support team. Further guidance and support when self isolating is available on UniHub.
If you have been identified as being in close contact of someone who has tested positive, you need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days and follow government guidance.
No. The Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) are different to those required by many countries for passengers arriving internationally. The requirements for international travel are set by each country. It should not be assumed that LFD testing will give international students the ability to travel abroad.
These are usually Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests (though they may be referred to as a COVID-19 certificate).
You should not be moving around at this time as England is in a national lockdown. However, if you are travelling internationally for essential reasons and your arrival country requires that you have proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon entry, you should carefully check your arrival country’s requirements for the test to ensure that you are tested using the correct type of COVID-19 test, that you receive the results in the correct time frame in accordance with your travel plans, and that you can produce the correct type of evidence.
PCR tests typically take longer to return a result but are more accurate than LFTs. The Government’s foreign travel advice site is a good place to start for more information on travelling internationally.
You must arrange a PCR test for international travel privately for which there is a fee. You must not use the free tests provided by the NHS for international travel.
You must only book a test through the NHS if you have symptoms of COVID-19. The Government does not endorse or recommend any particular private test provider. Individuals should conduct their own research about available providers, the tests they supply and their locations. You can find a list of possible providers on the Government website.
The LFT is recommended for all asymptomatic individuals including those who have tested positive for COVID-19 and completed their self-isolation (i.e. positive test occurred 10 days or more ago).
The LFT tests for the presence of antigens which might indicate residual COVID-19 infectiousness.
Middlesex University and NHS Test and Trace takes the protection of your privacy very seriously. To find out how your personal data will be used when you register for a coronavirus test read the Government’s coronavirus privacy note.
