Collegio Nuovo was founded by mathematician and industrial entrepreneur Sandra Bruni Mattei, who chose to devote her estate to enriching the university education of talented young women. Designated as College of Merit by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR). It allocates places on the basis of a competitive selection process that takes into account academic achievement and qualifications and renews places annually on the basis of merit. It assigns free, INPS (Italian Social Welfare Institution) supported, or subsidised places to 115 female students, Italian or of other nationalities, enrolled at the University of Pavia. In the same campus a co-ed Graduate Residence houses about 50 PhD or Postgraduate students and visiting professors and scholars from all over the world. It can also host international undergraduate students enrolled in courses or projects at the University of Pavia. It offers students the ideal conditions in which to tackle their chosen course of studies and prepare to enter the working world: in addition to comfortable facilities and quality services, they are offered a culturally enriching interdisciplinary environment, University accredited courses, and personalised and exclusive training and educational opportunities (career guidance and tutoring services, courses in foreign languages and soft skills). It offers students networking opportunities, also at international level. These range from meetings with leading figures from cultural and professional environments to the Alumnae Association, and also include partnerships with institutions worldwide (particularly in Europe, the United States and Asia).