The University of Edinburgh Lawn Tennis Club (EULTC) is one of Scotland’s largest and most active university sports clubs, with nine competitive teams alongside a thriving social tennis programme. As proud sponsors of the club, WhichPad sat down with Joe Fraser, Michelle Erdenemunkh and fellow teammates to discuss student life, university sport and the challenges of finding student accommodation in Edinburgh.
Team Quick Facts
- University: The university of Edinburgh
- Sport: Tennis
- Achievements: Women’s BUCS conference cup champions 2025/26
- Squad Size: We have 5 mens and 4 women’s teams.
- Sponsored by: WhichPad
The Spotlight Interview
- Tell us about the team this season – what are your biggest goals and highlights so far?
Joe Fraser: “We have 9 teams that compete for the university in various levels of BUCS. Our Men’s 3rd team had a very successful season last year and this year are fighting for promotion to the league above. Our Women’s 2s won the BUCS conference cup last year and are keen to go back to back!
All of our teams train together which is a really fun atmosphere for competition and giving each other pointers, and we are all looking forward to more sessions with coach Jed.
- How do you balance intense training schedules with university studies and student life?
With great difficulty… no, not really. We get together to train 3 times a week as well as Wednesdays for matches, mostly in the evening so we have loads of time to get back from class.
There have been some close deadlines when we have had to whip out the textbooks on the train down to a match. But our coach Jed is good at making sure we maintain a high level of studies alongside our tennis.
- What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to incoming freshers wanting to join a sports team?
Probably that tennis is for everyone. Yes we have competitive teams, but our club also has a huge portion of social players ranging from confident to complete beginner and it is great to see! Sport is a great way to relax and meet new friends at university, so no matter the level played if you enjoy playing tennis there is definitely a place for everyone.
- As student athletes, what are the most important factors when choosing where to live?
A basement tennis court would be ideal, although they’re quite hard to find in Edinburgh’s Old Town! Failing that, having a comfortable social space where friends and teammates can get together after training is really important. - Have you had any funny or memorable experiences with teammates while house-hunting?
Yes I have. Our flat has 2 bedrooms, and one is a wee bit bigger than the other and we had to decide who got the bigger room. Naturally we decided settle this dispute with a game of mario kart, winner gets the big room. I was doing well until the last lap when my friend threw a blue shell at me on the last lap, beating me. So I have the smaller bedroom, and I am definitely not sour about it…
- What are the biggest challenges student renters face?
One of the biggest challenges for students renting in Edinburgh is finding reliable letting agents and landlords. Many older flats need repairs, and unfortunately some landlords take far too long to fix problems. Someone I know was stuck without hot water for 3 weeks because they wouldn’t fix it. It is really useful to have a service like WhichPad that can tell you how reputable the letting agency and landlord is so you can get things working again!
- If you could give one tip to other students about choosing a letting agent or landlord, what would it be?
Choosing a reliable letting agent or landlord is just as important as choosing the flat itself. Reading verified student reviews before signing a tenancy agreement can save a lot of stress later. - How important is it to live close to your teammates?
It depends which one we are talking about… no I am joking. I really like living close to teammates because we walk to sessions together and meet up before our Wednesday socials. It is also nice for when you just want to hang out with them. My favourite pass time at the moment is showing up unannounced and eating their biscuits.
- What does the WhichPad sponsorship mean to the team?
It means lots. Of course we are thankful for their backing because it means we can keep competing at away days across the country. But also because of their support to all of our members through their service. Some of our first year members have already used WhichPad help them find student accommodation together. I wish we had found them sooner!
- What’s next for the team?
There is lots of things going on at the moment within the tennis club. Our new committee is off to a flying start looking to plan our annual tennis ceilidh as well as a tour for next year. We have lots of training and hard matches ahead of us for the BUCS teams but we can’t wait to get out there!
🚀 Rapid Fire Round with Michelle from social tennis.
Favourite study spot on campus?
Michelle Erdenemunkh: “Balcony of the library”.
“Best takeaway near your student house?
“Chilo’s Burgers on Nicholson st”.
“House-hunting horror story or win?
“Had to re-book flat viewings for the same flat for 2 weeks because their system was broken”.
“Early morning training or late-night revision?
“Late night revision”.
“Must-have item in every student rental?
“Microwave”
“Dream post-match celebration location?
“On a beach in Greece”.
“One thing you wish you knew before signing your first tenancy?
“Pick your flatmates carefully“
Teammate you’d most trust as a housemate?
“Amelia”.
“Best thing about being part of this team?
“Cups of tea with my team mates”.
Shoutout to a teammate who deserves more recognition!
“Danny Mcewan”
The EULTC team agreed that choosing the right student accommodation is about much more than location. Reliable landlords, trustworthy letting agents and enough social space to relax after training all contribute to a better university experience. Their biggest recommendation is to read verified student reviews before signing a tenancy agreement.
Finding student accommodation in Edinburgh can be competitive, particularly before the start of the academic year. Whether you’re searching for a flat close to the University of Edinburgh or simply looking for reliable landlords and letting agents, reading verified student reviews can help you make better renting decisions. WhichPad gives students access to genuine experiences shared by other students across the UK.
A huge thank you to the University of Edinburgh Lawn Tennis Club for sharing their experiences with us. Whether you’re preparing for your first year at university, searching for student accommodation in Edinburgh or comparing letting agents, learning from other students can make the renting process much easier. WhichPad is proud to support student athletes while helping students make more informed housing decisions.
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