Swimmer Archie Goodburn goes from graduation to the Games
University swimmer Archie Goodburn celebrates two major milestones, graduating before preparing to represent Team Scotland at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Archie Goodburn celebrates outside McEwan Hall following his graduation with a first-class degree in Chemical Engineering.
Graduating with a first-class undergraduate master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Archie now turns his focus to competing on the international stage at Glasgow 2026, where he will compete alongside a record University contingent of athletes, coaches and staff.
A member of the University's Performance Swimming programme, Archie balanced the demands of training over the last seven years while studying, supported by the elite sports programme, which is designed to help talented student athletes excel in both their studies and sporting careers.
Archie has also balanced training, competition and his degree programme alongside significant health challenges, having been diagnosed with a rare brain tumour, known as an oligodendroglioma, in 2024.
Edinburgh Inspiration
Since then, Archie has shown extraordinary resilience and unwavering positivity, continuing to excel in both his sport and studies, while becoming a passionate advocate for improved treatment and funding for brain cancer.
He continued to excel academically and chose to research a novel nanoparticle-based brain cancer drug delivery method for his master’s thesis following his diagnosis. Archie was also awarded the University’s prestigious Principal’s Medal in 2024 and was one of six UK finalists in the IChemE Young Engineers Award for Innovation and Sustainability, recognised for his work on Clean Energy and Climate Action.
His inspiring journey has not only highlighted his remarkable strength but has profoundly impacted his teammates, staff members and the wider University community.
Commonwealth competitor
Following graduation, he will compete at Glasgow 2026 in the largest ever swimming programme at a Commonwealth Games, taking part in the 50m breaststroke on Friday 24 July and the men’s 4 x 100m medley relay on Wednesday 29 July.
Archie has represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games and Great Britain internationally, becoming British champion and setting Scottish records during a career that has established him among the country's top breaststroke swimmers.
Archie is among 21 University athletes selected for this summer's Commonwealth Games, competing in six sports including swimming, athletics, netball, judo, weightlifting and basketball.
Performance professionals
World-class University coaching staff have also been selected to support national squads at the Games, including Performance Swimming Head Coach Mat Trodden and Performance Swimming Coach Danny Kirkham, both of whom work with Archie and will join Team Scotland this summer.
This strong showing reflects the depth of talent developed through the University’s world-class performance sport environment and highlights the breadth and strength of its performance sport programmes, delivered by Edinburgh Sport, the University’s specialist sport and physical activity service.
Graduating from Edinburgh is a moment of immense pride that I’ll never forget and doing it just days before a home Commonwealth Games makes it all the more special. I’m hugely grateful to the University for the support I’ve received throughout my degree, both academically and through the Performance Swimming programme. Balancing the two would simply not have been possible without it, and it’s been a privilege to study here. Chemical Engineering gave me the freedom to explore subjects I genuinely care about, from green rocket fuels to nanoparticle research, and I’ve loved every minute of that intellectual challenge. Now I can’t wait to put on the Scotland cap in Glasgow and race in front of a home crowd.
Archie Goodburn
Graduate
Archie's graduation is a fantastic achievement and reflects the determination, discipline and commitment he has shown both in his studies and in the pool. Balancing the demands of a degree with competing at the highest level of competition is no small feat. Archie embodies what is possible when talented student athletes are supported to pursue excellence across all aspects of university life. We are incredibly proud to see Archie graduate before competing in a home Commonwealth Games and wish him every success in Glasgow.
Mark Munro
Director of Sport and Active Health at the University of Edinburgh
We are incredibly proud of what Archie has achieved across competitive swimming, chemical engineering and his tireless advocacy for people living with brain diseases. His accomplishments reflect not only exceptional talent and determination but also a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.
Professor Guangzhao Mao
Head of the School of Engineering
