University will be 'held to account', say family of student who took own life

The family of a student who took his own life after a Glasgow University grading error say the university will be “held to account”.

Ethan Brown was incorrectly told in September 2024 that he would not be eligible to graduate with an Honours degree from the university after he failed to receive a grade in one course.

The 24-year-old took his life months later, on December 13, the day he should have been graduating. He was found by his mum, Tracy Scott.

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

A Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) review found systemic risks around academic processes and the student experience following Ethan’s death.

Inspectors identified several areas for improvement and issued 21 specific recommendations.

Family say university will be held to account after meeting

The family settled a civil court action with the university on Tuesday, the sum of the which has not been disclosed.

Ms Scott, who later collected her son’s degree posthumously, has called for a fatal accident inquiry to be held into his death.

They believe an inquiry would “force the University to learn lessons and protect current and future students”.

The family met with Scottish education secretary Mairi McAllan at St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

Speaking after the meeting, their solicitor Aamer Anwar said they have placed “the University of Glasgow on notice that they will be held to account”.

He said that in its drive to become a global institution, the university had “forgotten its soul”.

He added: “Their failures were catastrophic and systemic. They failed not just in their duty of care to Ethan, but to many other students over the years.

“Today’s meeting with the minister was important and was welcomed. The minister offered to ask the QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education), who are investigating the university, to meet with the family.

“The family welcomed the apology by Ms McAllan for her predecessor’s statement in September 2025, which implied an acceptance of the university’s position that Ethan’s case was an isolated incident.”

Mr Anwar said the family “will not give up until there is a legacy of Ethan Brown to ensure that no other student suffers as he did”.

A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said: “The University is profoundly sorry that Ethan tragically took his own life and fully understands the deep distress this has caused his family. We repeat our sincere apology as well as our deepest sympathy.

“Following an internal investigation into assessment regulations, the University self-referred to the Scottish Funding Council. The Quality Assurance Agency subsequently carried out a Targeted Peer Review, which resulted in a series of recommendations for action.

“The University fully accepted the recommendations and is on track to implement them.”

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal said the circumstances of Ethan’s death are being re-examined in light of new information.

“The family have been informed and will be kept updated,” a spokesperson said.

‘My son took his life after uni grading error – we want justice’

In January, Ms Scott, told STV News that the investigation would not bring her son back, but it would help future students.

She said: “We wanted everyone to know of Ethan’s success and the University of Glasgow’s failings, and that’s happened.

Glasgow & West

‘My son took his life after uni grading error – we want justice’

Ethan Brown was incorrectly told that he would not be eligible to graduate from the University of Glasgow

“But we want change, we want students to be protected. It won’t help us, we’ve lost Ethan, the worst has happened for us.

“But we have to safeguard future students.

“We want justice for Ethan. If his story being known has helped others, we’ll absolutely take that.”

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