A TALENTED Glasgow University student took his own life on graduation day – after being told he’d failed his course by mistake.
Ethan Brown, 23, was in his final year of studying for his geography degree at the university.
The University of Glasgow has admitted that the grade was given in errorAlamy
But he was told three months before he was due to achieve his honours degree that he hadn’t been awarded a grade for one module and wouldn’t be able to graduate.
Devastated by the news, Ethan tragically ended his life at home on December 13, 2024 – the day he should have been celebrating his graduation.
But after Ethan’s distraught mum Tracey Scott demanded answers from the university, it was later revealed that he had actually been given the wrong grade and should have been awarded a 2:1 Honours degree.
Despite the mistake being reviewed by staff, two internal exam boards and one external panel, the blunder was never picked up.
Tracey today told of her agony over her son’s death as she blasted the university over the family’s tragic loss.
She said: “My son Ethan was so happy to be accepted to study at the University of Glasgow. We as a family were delighted for him. Ethan was a kind, caring young man who was very much loved.
“So it breaks my heart to now be aware of the mental anguish this university must have caused my son from the time Ethan tried to emerge in his final year in September 2024 until his death in December 2024, all caused by the repeated incompetence of the University of Glasgow.
“Ethan left this world believing he had failed and the University of Glasgow was correct. The truth is, Ethan had successfully attained a 2:1 honours degree despite the university repeatedly informing him he had been unsuccessful.
“They failed him not only academically but also to support his mental health. My son was failed from having a duty of care from the educational system resulting in my family having to withdraw from having Ethan in our lives.
“We seek justice for Ethan in the hope that other students and their families do not have to experience the pain that myself and my family will have to live with forever.”
Lawyer Aamer Anwar – who is representing Ethan’s family – has also slammed the uni over the failings.
Ethan’s heartbroken family are now raising concerns about grading issues and questioning whether the truth would have ever come to light if their son hadn’t tragically died.
They also claim Ethan had reported mental health struggles to the University but was left without any support.
Mr Anwar said: “The family have serious concerns about the wellbeing support offered to struggling students by the University of Glasgow.
Ethan Brown took his own life after being told he wouldn’t be able to graduate
News Group Newspapers LtdEthan’s mother has been left heartbroken and is demanding answers[/caption]
News Group Newspapers LtdEthan’s family are speaking out to raise awareness[/caption]
Jane Barlow/PA WireThe family spoke at a press conference to share their concerns[/caption]
“Ethan reported difficulties with his mental health to the University, yet no support was offered.
“The University of Glasgow failed Ethan, and he took his life as a result.”
Mr Anwar – a former Rector of the University – also alleges senior bosses have refused to meet with the family unless they attended alone, without legal representation.
A spokesperson for the University of Glasgow said: “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 13 December 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 as 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 well-being concerns.
Lawyer Aamer Anwar is representing Ethan’s family and is the former Rector of Glasgow UniNews Group Newspapers Ltd
“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 wellbeing 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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