To mark the fifth anniversary of Meredith Kercher’s death, the University of Perugia has set up a scholarship to honour the Leeds  student.

Kercher, 21, from Croydon, South London was studying in the Italian town as part of a one year course in Modern History, Political Theory and History of Cinema. On November 1, 2007 she was found brutally stabbed to death in the accommodation she shared with Amanda Knox.

The scholarship will be exclusive to British students who wish to study at Perugia University and candidates will be selected by the Italian embassy in London.

The Mayor of Perugia announced “The city wants to honour Meredith, whose memory is now inextricably linked with Perugia, so it is right to have a scholarship in her name”.

Evidence suggests Miss Kercher had been sexually assaulted when she was found semi-naked in her bedroom with her throat cut. Leading prosecutors of the case believed she was killed during a brutal sex game.

It was revealed earlier this year that Amanda Knox, originally convicted of Kercher’s murder, has signed an estimated £2.5 m book deal with HarperCollins. It will “give a full and unflinching account” of her arrest and trial, her publisher Jonathan Burnham declared. The book is scheduled for release in early 2013.

Words: Bethany Ruane