Home
Free Lateral Flow Home Testing Kits for Students
The information on this page details how and when to use the antigen tests kits provided in Dec ‘21. Unlike a COVID-19 PCR test, the test sample does not have to go to a lab and results are available in 15-20 minutes. Please consider participating in UniCoV which offers free regular COVID-19 lateral flow antigen testing and saliva LAMP PCR testing twice a week. Such tests assist with the early identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the omicron variant, thereby helping to stop the spread of the virus. To find out more, please see here.
This testing is only for individuals who do not have symptoms of COVID. If you are displaying symptoms or think you might have COVID-19
- self-isolate (stay in your room)
- get a COVID-19 PCR test - do not use an antigen test. If on-campus - contact College Health (01 8961556) to arrange a PCR test. Please have your student number and Eircode ready.
Remember, testing alone does not stop transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and development of COVID-19. Please continue to follow the latest public health guidance
Where can I collect test kits from?
Contingent on remaining stocks - antigen test kits can be collected from the following locations in line with opening hours:
| Location | Address Information |
| Berkeley Library | Trinity Main Campus |
| Hamilton Library | Trinity Main Campus |
| John Stearne Medical Library | Trinity Centre - St. James's Hospital from 14th Dec. |
| Trinity Hall | Trinity Hall Dartry |
Antigen test kits can also be collected from UniCoV collection points in line with the opening hours listed below:
| Location | Address Information |
| Arts Building Concourse - open 11.30am - 3.30pm daily (Mon-Fri) | Trinity Main Campus |
| Hamilton/Panoz - open 11.30am - 3.30pm daily (Mon-Fri) | Trinity Main Campus |
| Trinity Centre - Tallaght Hospital- located outside Kylemore Cafe- open 08.00am - 12.00pm on Mondays and Thursdays | Trinity Centre - Tallaght Hospital |
| Trinity Hall Reception area - open 4pm - 8pm daily (Mon-Fri) | Trinity Hall Dartry |
How often should I take the test and when?
Contingent on supplies - Students will be supplied with one single antigen tests pack per person containing five Antigen Tests which will suffice for a period of two weeks. The recommended approach is to take 1 test and repeat 3 days later. Antigen testing is more accurate if you leave a few days between each test. It can take time for the virus to show up in your system if you are exposed. The remaining test can be used at your discretion or when you have an inconclusive result.
The Antigen Test Kits cannot be used to support foreign travel requirements – please refer to the latest guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
If you have a positive (detected) antigen test result:
- self-isolate (stay in your room)
- get a COVID-19 PCR test If on-campus - contact College Health (01 8961556) to arrange a PCR test. Please have your student number and Eircode ready.
How do I take the test?
To take an antigen test, a swab supplied with the kit is used to take a sample from your nose. Follow the instructions that come with the test kit as outlined here:
How do I interpret the results and what actions do I take?
Antigen results
As above there are 3 types of antigen test results:
- Positive (detected)
- Negative (not detected)
- Invalid
What you need to do will depend on your result.
Positive test result
If you have a positive (detected) antigen test result:
- self-isolate (stay in your room)
- get a COVID-19 PCR test If on-campus - contact College Health (01 8961556) to arrange a PCR test. Please have your student number and Eircode ready.
Negative test result
A negative test does not mean that you do not have COVID-19. Continue to follow the public health advice on how to protect yourself and others.
The recommended approach is to take 1 test and repeat 3 days later. Antigen testing is more accurate if you leave a few days between each test. It can take time for the virus to show up in your system if you are exposed. The remaining test can be used at your discretion or when you have an inconclusive result.
The Antigen Test Kits cannot be used to support foreign travel requirements – please refer to the latest guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Invalid test result
If you have an invalid test result, do another test.
What do I do if Covid-19 impacts my exams/I get Covid-19 or am a close contact?
Volunteer for the UniCoV study – free COVID-19 testing
Please consider participating in UniCoV which offers free regular COVID-19 lateral flow antigen testing and saliva LAMP PCR testing twice a week. Such tests assist with the early identification of SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as the omicron variant, thereby helping to stop the spread of the virus. To find out more, please see here.