The author shows that modernization of Russian system of higher education is naturally determined and necessary. The specific character of its realization is conditioned by the fact that it answers the purpose to reform Russian society on the one hand, and that it is a part of these reforms. On the other hand, it comes over in the context of the global changes in the European education model. It determines nature of specific changes in the system of higher education in Russia and the difficulties in achieving these goals as well as solving tasks in the course of these changes. The author reveals multiple meaning of the current changes in the system of higher education in Russia as a consequence of the analysis of a number of innovations in Russian higher school education process (transition to the two-level education system, Unified National Exam, private educational institutions etc.).

Key words: socium, Russian society, education, higher education, modernization, reforming, change.