Budding architects will be able to admire buildings as far afield as Florence and New York, thanks to a scholarship in memory of an influential academic.

Students at Oxford Brookes University's School of Architecture could receive hundreds of pounds to travel abroad, following the launch of the Reginald Cave Memorial Trust. The travelling scholarship is being set up by the School of Architecture in memory of its former head, who died a year ago, aged 89.

As well as his work as an architect and lecturer, Mr Cave was an active defender of Oxford's built heritage. He was a member of the Civic Trust and the Conservation Society and took a strong interest in planning controls.

The trust will provide travel awards for architecture students, allowing them to visit and study notable buildings and then share their observations with other students.

The fund, which will be formally launched later this year, will be supported by donations. The school is looking for sponsors.

It will be administered by trustees representing Mr Cave's family, the School of Architecture, the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society, and the Doric Club -- for alumni of the school.

Prof John Raftery, of the School of Architecture, said: "Reginald Cave was much loved by generations of architects."

Students are also set to benefit from a £1,000 prize fund set up at Mr Cave's bequest, which will see £100 presented to Architecture Graduate Diploma students for the year's best design work, over the next ten years.

Another scholarship has been set up to allow Malaysian students to study at the school, following a £5,000 donation by an un-named former student.