A student has died after taking ecstasy for the first time in a 'final fling' as she celebrated finishing university with her friends.

Joana Burns, 22, and her pals each paid a dealer £7 for the MDMA drug during a night out at the Sheffield University Students' Union, friends have revealed.

The Sheffield Hallam University maths student collapsed at around 5.30am on June 7, along with a fellow student, after buying the pills from a man in the Foundry venue.

Joana, who worked part time at Marks & Spencer in Sheffield city centre, died the same evening while the other casualty is still in hospital.

Tragic: Joana Burns (pictured), 22, and her pals each paid a dealer £7 for the MDMA drug during a night out at the Sheffield University Students' Union, friends have revealed

Cecilia Burns, Joana's sister, paid tribute to her on Facebook. She said: 'My beautiful sister.. Joana passed away the night before last and left the world as we know it.

'She was due to graduate later this year with her whole life ahead of her. She was such a lovely person, kind hearted, gentle and very funny. I'm heartbroken.

'I love you so much.'

Boyfriend Lewis Birch described Joana as 'the most beautiful amazing girlfriend in the world'.

He said: 'I will always love you and you will be in my heart forever. I will never forget you and would give absolutely everything to have you back in my life.'

Boyfriend Lewis Birch (pictured above with Joana) described her as 'the most beautiful amazing girlfriend in the world'. He said: 'I will always love you and you will be in my heart forever. I will never forget you and would give absolutely everything to have you back'

'If anyone is ever thinking of taking any sort of drug - don't full stop. It has torn my life apart. I am absolutely crushed right now.'

Joana's mother, Mosca, said her daughter had been named after Joan of Arc, because of her strength and conviction.

A fellow undergraduate has told police Joana was not 'a regular drug user'. They added: 'It was just supposed to be a one-off final fling to finish university.'

Another friend said: 'As the end of the semester approached we were all looking forward to the end of term parties and functions, including one at The Tuesday Club at The Foundry.

'About two weeks before, the subject of drugs came up for discussion as some of us use recreational drugs, including cannabis and MDMA.

'Some of my friends wanted MDMA for the night out.'

The Sheffield Hallam University maths student (pictured) collapsed at around 5.30am on June 7, along with a fellow student, after buying the pills from a man in the Foundry venue

'Heartbroken' Cecilia Burns, Joana's sister, paid tribute to her on Facebook (inset) and described her sibling as 'kind hearted, gentle and very funny'. Credit: Facebook/Cecilia Burns

Another Sheffield Hallam University student, aged 20, was left critically ill after taking MDMA in The Foundry on the same night and remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Police chiefs, who have called for the review of the club's licence, said on the night Joana died a large quantity of drugs were seized at the venue.

Chief Superintendent Shaun Morley said during a visit the previous week, the drug bin at the venue was 'overflowing' with 98 packages of powder and 36 packages of tablets, one containing 10 to 15 pills.

He added: 'South Yorkshire Police have concerns regarding the use of controlled drugs by young persons, particularly students in Sheffield.'

Chief Inspector Shakeel Ahmed said that on the night Joana died 'a large amount of drugs had been seized' by the venue security team.

A 23-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of supplying drugs and have been bailed pending further investigation.

Joana had only just finished studying for her maths degree at Sheffield Hallam University

At Joana's funeral, mourners were asked to make donations instead of buying flowers.

Lewis said the money will be used to help raise drugs awareness amongst Sheffield students, along with more than £1,200 raised from a JustGiving page.

The owners of the fundraising page said: 'Joana's Mum, Mosca, tells us Joana was named after Joan of Arc, because of her strength and conviction; qualities which Joana also displayed.

'This strength and conviction had recently seen her complete a mathematics degree at Sheffield Hallam University, a subject she loved, and a place where she also met her boyfriend, Lewis.

'Joana was a wonderful young woman with so much to look forward to. She will be missed not only by her family and friends but by everyone who knew her.'

Lewis said that money donated at Joana's funeral would be used to help raise drugs awareness amongst Sheffield students, along with more than £1,200 raised from a JustGiving page

A Sheffield Hallam University spokesman said: 'We are extremely saddened by the death of one of our students following a night out in the city and we would like to offer our deepest condolences to the student's family and friends following this tragic news.

'Joana Burns was a very popular student with a bright future ahead of her. We are offering support to Joana's family, our students and staff.

'We are aware that another Sheffield Hallam student remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition and our thoughts are with them and their family at this difficult time.

'South Yorkshire Police are investigating the matter and we are working with them to support their investigations.

'Sheffield Hallam University does not condone alcohol and substance misuse in any shape or form.'