Family of student who took own life after grade error say University of Glasgow 'failed' son

The family of a student who took his own life after a grading error has said the University of Glasgow “failed” their son and has raised “serious concerns” about the institution’s wellbeing support.

Ethan Brown, 24, died by suicide at his home on December 13 last year – the day he should have been graduating.

The geography student had been informed by the university in September that he had not been awarded a grade for one course, meaning he would not be eligible to graduate with an Honours degree.

However, an internal investigation following his death found that he was awarded the wrong grade due to an error by the university and should, in fact, have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree.

‘Systemic problem’

Ethan’s mother, Tracy Scott, said that the grade error was not identified by any University of Glasgow staff, two internal exam boards, and one external exam board, and only came to light after she pursued an internal report.

She said the failure to identify the error which led to her son’s death was not just confined to the Geographical and Earth Sciences (GES) department, and was instead a “systematic problem”.

At a press conference held outside Blythswood Square in Glasgow on Tuesday, she questioned how many other university students have been wrongly failed.

Aamer Anwar, representing the family, said: “When the family sought answers from the university, an internal investigation produced a report confirming that Ethan was awarded the wrong grade for that course due to an error by the university.

“Ethan would, in fact, have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree. This failure was not identified by any University of Glasgow staff, nor was it picked up by two internal exam boards, and one external exam board.

“Ethan’s family were horrified to learn that not only had Ethan been failed by the university, but that this failure was a systemic problem that was not just confined to the Geographical and Earth Sciences (GES) department.

“The family, therefore, ask how many other hundreds or thousands of students at the university have been wrongly failed. They also ask whether this systemic failure would ever have been identified had Ethan not died?”

The family also said that their son reported difficulties with his mental health to the university, and no support was offered.

“The family also wish to raise serious concerns about the wellbeing support offered to struggling students by the University of Glasgow. Ethan reported difficulties with his mental health to the university, and yet no support was offered. No follow-up contact was made with Ethan.

“When Ethan sought guidance on how he might be able to graduate with an Honours degree in September 2024, the University told him they would find out and let him know. However, no further contact was ever made with Ethan.”

“The University of Glasgow failed Ethan, and he took his life as a result. How many other vulnerable students have wrongly been told they cannot graduate? Had the family not been determined to obtain answers from Glasgow University, they would not have identified this serious and systemic failure.

“They did not even know Ethan had died.”

‘Profoundly sorry’

A University of Glasgow spokesperson told STV News the institution has undertaken a “thorough review” of its academic and wellbeing policies and practices following Ethan’s death.

The statement said it was profoundly sorry for the events which had occurred.

A statement read: “Ethan Brown was a final-year undergraduate student in the B.Sc. Geography programme who was due to complete his degree in summer 2024.

“The university wrongly informed him that he did not have the necessary credits to graduate.

“Tragically, Ethan took his own life on December 13 2024, following which his family contacted the university seeking information about his studies.

“Upon investigation, the university identified the error and commissioned an internal report by a recently retired senior professor into the circumstances; this was shared with Ethan’s family on its completion.

“The deputy vice chancellor and the compiler of the report met with representatives of the family in early February 2025 to talk through the findings and offer a sincere apology as well our deepest sympathies.

“The report found that a tragic error had been made in calculating Ethan’s degree outcome. It indicated that this error should have been picked up during the exam board process.

“A further shortcoming involved communications with Ethan, including the fact that he was not referred to Student Support Services when he disclosed wellbeing concerns.

“The university has checked all its records and is confident that the error in relation to Ethan’s marks was an isolated one and that no other students have been affected.

“Even so, we have undertaken a thorough review of our academic and well-being policies and practices. We have also revised our training programmes for members of staff involved in exam boards.

“We continue to look for ways to further strengthen our quality assurance processes and our support for students.

“We are profoundly sorry that this terrible event occurred and understand the deep distress it has caused Ethan’s family.

“The principal has indicated to the family’s lawyers that he would be willing to have another meeting with the family to express his sympathies and discuss the actions taken by the university.”

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