Ethan Brown: 'Serious concern' raised by probe into standards at Glasgow University following suicide
A review has found “serious concerns” around the marking process
The mother of a student who took his own life after being wrongly told he could not graduate has said she has been vindicated by an independent report.
A watchdog called in to carry out a review at the University of Glasgow following the death of Ethan Brown has found “serious concerns” about academic standards.
Findings of the review suggest “systemic risks” to academic standards and the quality of students’ experience.
In a statement, the lawyer acting for Mr Brown’s family called the review a “damning indictment of systemic failures at the university”.
Solicitor 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.”
The university, which self-referred to the Scottish Funding Council, has said it “fully accepts” the recommendations of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
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.”
Mr Brown, 23, was told in September 2024 that he had not been awarded a grade for one of his courses, which meant he would not be eligible to graduate. This was due to an error by the University of Glasgow. He should have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree.
The geography student, from Coatbridge, died by suicide three months later on what would have been his graduation day.
His mother, Tracy Scott, pushed the university to investigate and, following an internal review, referred itself to the SFC.
The SFC, in turn, raised the case with the Scottish Quality Concerns Scheme.
Mrs Scott added that she "feels the findings of the QAA report supports the family’s concerns at the level of incompetence within the University of Glasgow, which they feel places students at serious risk.”
Specific concerns were submitted in relation to maintenance of academic standards and the potential for systemic failure in following the university’s assessment regulations.
While the review was sparked by the death of Mr Brown, its purpose was not to look at the individual circumstances surrounding his death but broader concerns at the university.
A group of four peer reviewers looked at 20 potential areas relating to assessment regulations and award of credit, extension request processes, communication with students, mitigation of risk and institutional oversight, and student engagement.
The report makes 21 recommendations for the University of Glasgow to address under the areas reviewed.
These include recommendations to be undertaken “as a matter of urgency”, including mandatory training for staff and a continued review of student awards across the university.
It also recommends the university’s next regular external peer review takes place one year sooner than planned.
The University of Glasgow will be required to submit an action plan within four weeks that covers all recommendations and proposed implementation timelines, which will be agreed by QAA.
The SFC has also announced that, given the serious nature of these findings, it is commissioning QAA to conduct a national review of the assessment and associated policies and procedures across the sector.
The statement from Mr Anwar adds: “The family hold the University of Glasgow responsible for Ethan’s 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 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.”
Ms Stott added: “We look forward to completing the wider work that the Scottish Funding Council has announced today related to these topics, with the Scottish sector.”
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