archibald was educated at the prestigious otago boys' high school. he then studied medicine at the university of otago graduating mb in 1926 and gaining his doctorate (md) in 1930. in the intervening period he acted as house surgeon at dunedin public hospital. he lectured in anatomy at his alma mater from 1927. he returned to britain to seek employment, gaining a role as lecturer in anatomy at university college london, where he stayed from 1931 to 1936. he then gained the chair in anatomy at the university of leeds, remaining there from 1936 to 1962. he later served as vice chancellor of the university.