The University of Edinburgh Athletics Club (EUAC) is one of Scotland’s leading university sports clubs, bringing together more than 100 student athletes who compete across a wide range of athletics disciplines throughout the UK. As proud sponsors of the club, WhichPad sat down with Shaun Cullinane and fellow athletes to discuss university life, training, and the challenges of finding student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Quick Facts
- University: Edinburgh
- Sport: Athletics
- Squad Size: 101
- Sponsored by: WhichPad
The Spotlight Interview
- Tell us about the team this season – what are your biggest goals and highlights so far?
Shaun – : “Going away to competitions with the club watching everyone perform great.” - How do you balance intense training schedules with university studies and student life?
Shaun – “dedicating time to studying that works around training, also dedicate time to destress with club socials.” - What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to incoming freshers wanting to join a sports team?
Abi- “Don’t be scared to try new training sessions or disciplines you have never done before – this is what university sports teams are for, and we are all always so happy to see new faces. There are so many chances to get involved, and everyone in this community is so friendly” - As student athletes, what are the most important factors when choosing where to live?
Abi – “ Living close to the gym, the Meadows and the athletics track is really important. It’s also useful to have supermarkets nearby so we can save time and fit shopping around training and university.” - Have you had any funny or memorable experiences with teammates while house-hunting?
Abi- Finding a flat that we can’t move in to until a couple of weeks later, so ending up on a friend’s sofa for two weeks!” - What are the biggest challenges student renters face?
Ross – “Finding student accommodation that meets all our requirements can be difficult. HMO licences can limit options, and some landlords are reluctant to rent to first-year students.” - If you could give one tip to other students about choosing a letting agent or landlord, what would it be?
Ross – “Use WhichPad to read verified student reviews and check the reputation of letting agents and landlords before signing your tenancy agreement.” - How important is it to live close to your teammates?
Shaun – “very important as it can help build strong relationships between each other” - What does the WhichPad sponsorship mean to the team?
Abi- “the team will have the funds to hire and qualify some more coaches to improve the training sessions for all of our athletes and take us to more competitions through the year. We can also help other students make finding a flat easier by showing them WhichPad. We are so excited to work with such a great partner this year!” - What’s next for the team?
Ross – “The new academic year is fast approaching, so our Welcome Week plans are already underway. We’re looking forward to welcoming new athletes, increasing attendance at competitions and helping our 2026–27 club get to know one another.”
🚀 Rapid Fire Round with EUAC
Favourite study spot on campus?
Shaun – Levels café, it has a great vibe
Best takeaway near your student house?
Abi- “Kaukau poke bowls- you can choose from lots of protein and veggie toppings”
House-hunting horror story or win?
Ross – “Estate agent had 2 more viewings in the street over that she could show me without having to wait and book”
Early morning training or late-night revision?
Shaun – “late night studying because you will actually get a seat in the library and who needs sleep anyway”
Must-have item in every student rental?
Abi – “Big lounge for hosting parties and a post-run yoga session”
Dream post-match celebration location?
Ross – “Hive”
One thing you wish you knew before signing your first tenancy?
Ross – “ that WhichPad existed”
Teammate you’d most trust as a housemate?
Abi – “Treasurer of Athletics as they’ll have a great handle on all the money!”
Best thing about being part of this team?
Ross – “The community and support everyone has for each other, and how flexible it can be around everyone’s busy university lives
Shoutout to a teammate who deserves more recognition!
Shaun – This year’s captain, Huw Riley. He will do a bang up job, hopefully.
EUAC athletes agreed that choosing the right student accommodation is about more than just location. Living close to training facilities, supermarkets and campus can make student life much easier. They also recommend reading verified student reviews and researching landlords and letting agents before signing a tenancy agreement.
Finding student accommodation in Edinburgh can be competitive, particularly before the start of the academic year. Whether you’re looking for a flat close to the University of Edinburgh, the Meadows or local sports facilities, reading verified student reviews can help you choose reliable landlords and letting agents. WhichPad helps students make informed renting decisions through genuine student feedback from across the UK.
A huge thank you to the University of Edinburgh Athletics Club for sharing their experiences with us. Whether you’re searching for student accommodation in Edinburgh, comparing letting agents or preparing for university life, learning from other students can help you make better renting decisions. WhichPad is proud to support student athletes while giving students a trusted platform to share genuine accommodation experiences.
Edinburgh university athletics club: @eu_athleticsclub
Whichpad: @whichpadonline
