Systemic risks found at University of Glasgow after grading error linked to student's death

A watchdog has identified systemic risks to academic standards at the University of Glasgow after a grading error linked to the death of a student.

A Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review found systemic risks around academic processes and the student experience following the case of Ethan Brown, a 24-year-old geography student who died in December 2024.

Ethan was incorrectly told that he would not be eligible to graduate with an Honours degree from the University of Glasgow after not being awarded a grade for one course in September 2024.

He took his own life on December 13, 2024 – the day he should have been graduating – and was found dead by his mum, Tracy Scott, that morning.

Ethan Brown, 24, took his own life in December 2024 Aamer Anwar and Co

A subsequent internal investigation later concluded that Ethan had been awarded the wrong grade and should have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree.

It was also revealed the mistake was not spotted by university staff, two internal exam boards, or an external exam board.

Tracy collected her son’s degree posthumously in December.

Lawyer Aamer Anwar, acting for Ethan Brown’s family, said the findings amounted to “a damning indictment” of the university.

He told STV News: “They should hang their heads in shame. Why were they telling everyone there were no systemic failures, yet this report says that an internal report says there were systemic failures? The gaslighting needs to stop now.”

Aamer Anwar accused the university of 'gaslighting' Ethan's family — Aamer Anwar accused the university of ‘gaslighting’ Ethan’s family STV News

Mr Anwar, a former rector of the university, said the review demonstrated that the case was not an isolated incident and accused the institution of repeatedly denying the existence of systemic problems.

“We know from individuals who contacted us, from lecturers and students, that there are systemic failures in many other departments within the University of Glasgow.

“There was a lack of empathy and compassion that was revealed in this report. That is a fundamental failure of the university.

“They failed to put their hands up and say this is systemic. It’s shameful.”

Turning to the impact on Ethan’s family, Mr Anwar said: “A young man who should have been graduating last summer lost his life – and the only people the family hold responsible is the University of Glasgow. The manner in which they treated the family is disgraceful.

“The loss of a child is earth-shattering for any parent, it shatters the soul. Ethan’s mum will never get over losing her boy.

“The family want change. They are tired of the manipulation of facts and the exercise in PR.”

The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has conducted a targeted peer review of the University of Glasgow’s assessment regulations iStock

The review examined a number of lines of enquiry, from how grades are awarded and how extension requests are handled to how well the university communicates with students.

Inspectors identified a number of areas in need of improvement and issued 21 specific recommendations.

The review team called for extra “liaison meetings” over the next two years to track progress. Additionally, the university’s next major external peer review has been moved forward by a year to 2027-28 to consider progress against all of the recommendations made in the report.

The University of Glasgow will also be required to submit an action plan within four weeks detailing how and when they will address every weakness identified in the report, which will be agreed by QAA.

Vicki Stott, QAA’s Chief Executive, welcomed the “thorough and robust” targeted peer review and said the findings are of “serious concern.”

“We are committed to working closely with the university and the Scottish Funding Council to ensure that the University of Glasgow implements the recommendations in this report in a timely manner so that academic standards are protected, and the quality of student experience at the university is safeguarded.

“We look forward to completing the wider work that the Scottish Funding Council has announced today related to these topics, with the Scottish sector.”

A University spokesperson said: “Following an internal investigation into assessment regulations, the University self-referred to the Scottish Funding Council.

“The University fully accepts the recommendations subsequently made by the QAA Peer Review and the risks it identifies.

“Since February 2025, we have worked to address the issues highlighted in the internal investigation and will implement the recommendations of the QAA review through a comprehensive plan that builds on current change projects.”

The Crown Office confirmed the circumstances of Ethan’s death are being re-examined and that the family will be kept updated.

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