Student architects will help decide on plans to revamp their ageing university building.

Members of Oxford Brookes University's School of Architecture will judge entries for a competition to redesign their department.

The plans involve a facelift to the interior of the school, which is housed in the Abercrombie Building, off London Road, Headington. The building dates back to the 1960s and is earmarked to receive a new entrance as part of a £250,000 improvement.

Students and staff will give their opinions on each of seven anonymously-titled shortlisted plans, which have been completed by past and present tutors at the school.

The winner will be announced next month, and the work is expected to be completed in time for next September's intake of students.

Head of department John Stevenson said: "We wanted to raise the profile of the school by making it a more enjoyable and attractive place to work in, and to update its facilities."

He added: "We are pleased with the standard of entries. It is a bit of a dream-list of up-and-coming practices. All the architects have either tutored or are teaching at the school so they understand the needs of our students. We are expecting some stunning solutions to choose from."

The designs are on public display at the school and can be seen between 9am and 8pm until Friday, October 26.