An independent report into academic standards at the University of Glasgow has resulted in a “damning indictment of systemic failures” that led to the death of student Ethan Brown, the family's lawyer has said.
Brown, a 23-year-old geography student from Coatbridge, took his own life in 2024 after being told by the university that he could not graduate as he was missing a grade for one of his courses.
He died by suicide three months after receiving the news, on what would have been his graduation day. An investigation into his death found that this was due to an error and he should have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree.
Brown’s family pushed for an initial internal review of the university’s processes, saying he had reached out for answers from the university and had not been supported. They also raised concerns that other students may have been impacted by similar system errors.
Following Brown’s death, the university self-referred itself to the Scottish Funding Council following an internal review, with the case then being passed to higher education regulator the Scottish Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
The QAA report examined 20 areas relating to assessment regulations and award of credit, extension request processes, communication with students, mitigation of risk, institutional oversight and student engagement.
The investigation has now concluded, confirming that systematic errors occurred at the university. It outlined 21 recommendations for the university to take, including additional mandatory training for staff and a university-wide review of student awards.
A copy of the report has been passed to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for its consideration within the Scottish Fatalities Investigation Unit’s enquiries.
Vicki Stott, the QAA’s chief executive, said: “The findings are of serious concern. We are committed to working closely with the university and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) 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.”
Brown’s mother, Tracy Scott, responded to the findings, saying that she “feels the findings of the QAA report support the family’s concerns at the level of incompetence within the University of Glasgow, which [she feels] places students at serious risk.”
The QAA will also begin a nationwide review of assessment policies across the higher education sector.
The family’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said: “Ethan’s family are sickened by the gaslighting they endured as the university claimed publicly there were no systemic failures.
“In fact this report shows their internal report said the opposite - there were several other instances at the Geography school, and they also failed to carry out any investigations into 23 other schools.”
He continued: “The family hold the University of Glasgow responsible for Ethan’s death due to their multiple levels of incompetence.
“Ethan asked for help from the University of Glasgow and none came.
“The family feel their position is supported following the publication of the QAA report that Ethan has been failed by the University of Glasgow and the family welcome the report being shared with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for its investigation”.
A Glasgow University spokesman 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.”
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