Heads of architecture schools are meeting

* Heads of architecture schools are meeting this week to discuss the likely effects of fees on their courses.

Like vets, architects undertake five years of undergraduate training, yet are being offered no assistance with fees.

"It will put us in a worse position," says David Dunster, chair of the standing conference of heads of schools of architecture.

"Architecture students spend more money than masters students in other subjects because they have to buy materials. It is not going to help an open access policy. It will put pressure on the profession to help students."

Chris Colbourne, director of education at the Royal Institute of British Architects, said he was meeting the DFEE for discussions.

There is no logic in the government paying the Pounds 1,000 for doctors and not for architects. We are providing a similar public service."