Purpose of the study is to consider the causes of the challenges facing Russian higher education. Procedure and methods. The work was carried out on the basis of a systematic approach using methods of classification and comparative analysis. Results. The reasons for the challenges facing Russian higher education are: changes in the geopolitical picture of the world, increased regional, social and information inequality, the ambiguity of digitalization processes, the rise of religiosity and the spread of extremism, the spontaneous diffusion of cultures and knowledge in a single global information space, complex socio-economic and psychological situation, loss of social motivation to obtain education, simulation of education and changes in the mechanisms and means of socialization. This leads to the emergence of a system of challenges that the higher education system in Russia must adequately respond to. The answer to all modern challenges is the formation of a holistic, comprehensively developed personality in a higher educational institution. Education, training, development are interconnected processes, as a result of which not only the cognitive but also the personal qualities of a student should be maximally developed, capable of implementing successful behavioral strategies that are useful both for the individual and for society as a whole. The results of the study can be used to improve the methodological competencies of both teachers of philosophical disciplines and students. Keywords: challenges to the higher education system, youth, special socio-demographic groups, socialization, diffusion of knowledge, digitalization, extremism, religiosity