The 108 students, of which around two-thirds were from outside Canada, won the payout after enrolling on the eight-month international business management programme course between September 2007 and April 2009.

International students will be able to receive a maximum payout of $22,484, with domestic students winning up to $16,427.

“There was, of course, never any intention to mislead”

The lawsuit was filed by the students in 2008, after the programme offered “the opportunity to complete three industry designations/certifications in addition to the George Brown College Graduate Certificate”.

Industry designation and certifications were offered to the students in the international trade, customs services and international freight forwarding fields. However, shortly before sitting their final exams students discovered there was no agreement allowing them to earn qualifications in these subjects.

George Brown College president, Anne Sado, told CBC News in Canada: “There was, of course, never any intention to mislead and our commitment to our students has never been in question.

“But a situation like this provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on what we’re doing and look for ways we can continue to improve.”

The international students came from countries including China, India, Russia, Turkey, Brazil and Syria.

The students paid around $11,000 in tuition fees for the course.