Student took his own life after university mistakenly gave him the wrong grade

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing

A student from the University of Glasgow tragically took his own life after the university mistakenly gave him the wrong grade.

Ethan Scott Brown, a 23-year-old who had been studying geography, was due to graduate in December 2024.

However, his family said that in September of that same year, the university informed him that he had not been awarded a grade for one course and would therefore not be eligible to graduate with an Honours degree.

They said that, as a result, Ethan ended up taking his own life on December 13, 2024, which was the day he should have been graduating. He was found dead in his bedroom by his mother, Tracy Scott, early that morning.

According to the grieving family, Tracy then reached out to the university with an internal investigation that produced a report confirming that he had actually been awarded the wrong grade for that course due to an error by the university, and should have graduated with a 2:1 Honours degree.

A 23-year-old geography student from the University of Glasgow took his own life last December after mistakenly receiving the wrong grade (Sam Mellish / Contributor / Getty Images)

The 'mental anguish' Ethan experienced

They claim that the error was not spotted by any University of Glasgow staff, nor identified by two internal exam boards, and one external exam board.

"My son, Ethan, was so happy to be accepted to study at the University of Glasgow. We as a family were delighted for him," Tracy said during a press conference at the family solicitor’s office in Glasgow on Tuesday (30 September).

She continued: "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.

"Ethan left this world believing he had failed, and the University of Glasgow were 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 him. My son was failed from having a duty of care from the educational system, resulting in my family having been robbed from having Ethan in our lives."

Tracy added: "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."

Ethan Scott Brown was tragically found dead in his bedroom by his mother, Tracy Scott, on the day of his graduation (PA)

'Systemic failure'

Aamer Anwar, the family’s solicitor, has said the family also want to know 'whether this systemic failure would ever have been identified had Ethan not died and his family had not fought for answers'.

He added that the family also wish to raise 'serious concerns' about the well-being support offered to struggling students by the University of Glasgow as Ethan has previously reported difficulties with his mental health to the university.

However, his family say that no support was offered.

When asked whether there will be any legal action against the university, Anwar explained: "At the moment the family are considering all options."

The University of Glasgow has since released a statement on the 'tragic error' (PA)

The University of Glasgow's statement

The University of Glasgow said that the incident was not part of a systemic failure, adding in a statement: "Ethan Brown was a final-year undergraduate student in the BSc 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 December 13 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."

It continued: "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.

'A tragic error'

"The report found that a tragic error had been made in calculating Ethan’s degree outcome."

Additionally, the Russell Group institution also admitted a shortcoming in communication in that he was not referred to student support services.

"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," the university went on. "Even so, we have undertaken a thorough review of our academic and well-being 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."

Tyla has reached out to the University of Glasgow for further comment.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.

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