The man accused of murdering Massey University student Virginia Rose Ford has pleaded not guilty.

Jesse John Stuart Ferris-Bromley, 21, entered the plea in the High Court in Palmerston North on Wednesday morning.

He kept his head bowed for most of the short court session, only raising it when asked to plead to the charge.

It is alleged he murdered Ford, 20, in a private apartment near the university's Palmerston North campus at about 10pm on March 13.

The nature of Ford's injuries have not been revealed by police.

Ferris-Bromley was given name suppression at previous court appearances, but defence lawyer Jacinda Younger said there were no grounds for it to continue.

The case would proceed to a jury trial, Younger said.

Justice Simon France said the trial would likely start next year.

He remanded Ferris-Bromley in custody until June.