Two college students have successfully completed a highly selective and competitive summer programme.

The two students, Elizabeth Bridges and Emily Chini-Foroush, from Barton Peveril Sixth Form College in Eastleigh, have both now finished their Nuffield Future Researchers (NFR) programme.

The Nuffield Foundation is a charitable trust that aims to improve social well-being by funding research and innovation projects in education and social policy, and building research capacity in science and social science.

NFR is an online programme and offers students the opportunity to work alongside a researcher over the summer to learn more about the research process in their area of interest, before undertaking guided research themselves.

The students were selected to participate after success in a rigorous application process with places limited to only the nation’s best students.

Emily, for her research, delved into the development and suitability of copper and fibre optic Ethernet connections with her mentor.

Elizabeth was partnered with mentor Dr Kristy Howells from Canterbury Christ Church University and conducted research into the impact of sports drinks on the body, in line with her passion for Sports Technology.

She said: "NFR was a brilliant opportunity to progress my research skills and collaborate with a researcher. Despite being all online, it really was a highlight of my summer and I am really grateful I was selected."

Following on from the completion of their projects, Elizabeth’s work was put forward as a contender for being among the top ten best pieces in the South East whilst Emily received a Gold CREST Award for her work.

CREST is the British Science Association’s scheme for recognising and celebrating work completed by students in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.