The family of a student who took his own life after being wrongly told he had failed his degree have agreed a settlement with Glasgow University.

Ethan Brown, 23, from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, should have been awarded a 2:1 degree but was incorrectly told he had not passed his course.

He was found dead in his family home on 13 December 2024 - the day he had been due to graduate from the University of Glasgow with an honours degree in geography.

The amount the university has agreed to pay the family has not been disclosed.

An internal investigation was launched after Ethan's mother Tracy sought answers from the university.

It concluded he had been awarded the wrong grade for a course due to an error by the university.

The error was not spotted by any of the university staff, or by two internal exam boards and one external exam board.

An investigation by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) later found that the university's processes posed a "systemic risk to academic standards".

The family's solicitor Aamer Anwar said they were "devastated" to learn that the mistake had passed through multiple levels of the university's assessment and examination process without being detected.

"Despite Ethan disclosing concerns about his mental health, he was not provided with appropriate support by the university that may have saved his life," he added.

Anwar said the settlement did not affect the ongoing investigations into the circumstances surrounding Ethan's death, "nor is it the end for his loved ones".

"From the very beginning Ethan's family have fought for truth and accountability from the powerful institution of the University of Glasgow," he said.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service are still carrying out a criminal investigation into potential health and safety offences and is considering whether a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry should be held into the circumstances of Ethan's death.

"Ethan's family remain deeply concerned by findings after being told of the 'systemic failures' within the university's academic systems and question how many other students may have been affected," Anwar said.

The Glasgow-based solicitor added that the claim had raised complex legal issues.

Claims for loss of society against a university following the suicide of a student had not yet been tested before the Scottish courts, while similar claims pursued in England and Wales had been unsuccessful.

"The family have always said this is about ensuring a legacy from Ethan's tragic death, and only a Fatal Accident Inquiry will force the university to learn lessons and protect current and future students," Anwar said.

"The family continue to call for a full and transparent investigation into the university's academic processes, decision-making and student welfare procedures, or it is only a matter of time before another family experiences the same tragic loss."

He added that Ethan's family welcomed the Scottish Funding Council's referral of the university to the Quality Assurance Agency, which resulted in an independent Targeted Peer Review.

The family are due to meet Education Secretary Màiri McAllan on Wednesday to discuss the wider issues raised by the case.

Anwar added: "Whilst the family's civil claim has now concluded, they say their pursuit of answers will continue until they know that the university has truly learned lessons from Ethan's death."

Ethan's mother collected his degree during a graduation ceremony a year after his death.

She previously said her "kind and caring" son enjoyed studying and was proud to be a Glasgow University student.

"He was looking forward to graduating and wanted to be like his aunt who also has a degree from the university," she said.

"We can't help Ethan now but we can protect other students.

"Ethan was a huge loss to our family and we don't want other families to go through what we went through."

A Glasgow University spokesperson 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 university previously admitted there had been a shortcoming in communication which meant that Ethan was not referred to student support services.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line website.