Swimming champion Archie Goodburn has graduated from the University of Edinburgh, weeks before taking part in the Commonwealth Games.
Following graduation, the 25-year-old 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 29 July.
Goodburn 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.
Graduating on Monday with a first-class undergraduate master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, he now turns his focus to final training and will compete alongside a contingent of athletes, coaches and staff from the University of Edinburgh.
A member of the University’s Performance Swimming programme, Goodburn has 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.
Since then, he has become an advocate for improved treatment and funding for brain cancer.
He chose to research a novel nanoparticle-based brain cancer drug delivery method for his master’s thesis, following his diagnosis.
Goodburn was also awarded the University’s 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.
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.
Goodburn said: “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.”
Mark Munro, director of sport and active health at the University of Edinburgh, said: “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, with his selection for Team Scotland highlighting the strength of our world-class performance sport programmes.
“We are incredibly proud to see Archie graduate before competing in a home Commonwealth Games and wish him every success in Glasgow.”
Professor Guangzhao Mao, head of the School of Engineering, said: “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.”
The full list of Edinburgh-associated athletes competing at the Commonwealth Games includes:
- Swimming: Faye Rogers, Stephen Clegg, Ciara Schlosshan, Archie Goodburn, Anna Morgan, Scott Gibson, Lucy Hope, Stefan Krawiec, and Joshua Mitchell
- Athletics: Megan Keith, Gabriela Debues Stafford, Melanie Woods, Alyson Bell, Sarah Calvert and Stephen Mackenzie
- Judo: Sarah Adlington and Ollie Short
- Netball: Emily Nicholl and Hannah Grant
- Weightlifting: Maddie Rosher
- Basketball: Hannah Robb
