About the Edinburgh University Shotokan Karate Club

The Edinburgh University Shotokan Karate Club is a student run traditional Shotokan Karate club affliated with the United Kingdom Traditional Karate Federation. As a member of Edinburgh Univeristy Sports Union, an annually elected student committee takes on the responsibility of running the club. Classes are open to both students and non students with any or no martial arts experience. New members, of any level of Karate, are welcome any time throughout the year. Find out about training times and location here.

Our main session instructors are Sensei Mark Longley and Sensei Nick Shaw, 2nd Dan. Additional Kumite and Kata classes are taught by Sensei Thierry Giroud, 2nd Dan.

Every 3 months students may attend training seminars where they can achieve their next Kyu grade (belt). These are hosted by the head of the UKTKF, Sensei Masao Kawasoe, 8th Dan. With dedication and determination a student can achieve a black belt during their time in Edinburgh. Information about the grading syllabus can be found here.

As the EUSKC is not a profit making entity, membership and training fees reflect the annual costs expected. In recent years new members to Karate have been provided with a complimentary Gi. As with any other University sports club, access to the St Leonards' Land gym is subject to the Centre for Sports and Exercise. At an annual cost non-members of the University gym can access the facilities for attending sports clubs' classes only. Find out more about this year's fees here.

Martial arts clubs have varying degrees of formality. At training EUSKC students follow certain etiquette such as bowing on entry and line up in grade order. Find an explanation of the club etiquette and some key Japanese terms in our Glossary.