The management of higher education is a process in which people consciously adjust various relations and resources inside and outside the higher education system according to the purpose and development law of higher education in order to achieve the established purpose. Its main principles are as follows: directional principle; Principle of wholeness; Democratic principles; Principle of diversity; Dynamic principle; Principle of efficiency.

From a macro point of view, there are three main modes of higher education management system: centralized macro-management system of higher education represented by France, Italy and Sweden; American-led decentralized macro-management system of higher education; The macro-management system of higher education represented by Germany, Britain and Japan is a combination of centralization and decentralization. From the microscopic point of view, it includes the continental European model based on academic power; American model based on administrative power; The British model of relative balance and mutual restriction between administrative power and academic power.

The leadership system of colleges and universities in China has undergone several changes, which is an important embodiment of the micro-management system of higher education in China. During the period of 1950~ 1955, the principal responsibility system was implemented, emphasizing that the principal is responsible for all the work within the university and is responsible for the party and the country; During 1956~ 1960, the school (hospital) affairs Committee under the leadership of the party Committee was responsible, presided over by the principal and led collectively; During 196 1~ 1966, the responsibility system of the school affairs committee headed by the president of the school (college) was implemented, with special emphasis on the leadership core of the school work and the unified leadership of the party over colleges and universities; 1966 to 1976, implementing the "revolutionary Committee" system under the unified leadership of the party; 1978~ 1984, the principal responsibility system under the leadership of the party Committee was implemented; Starting from 1984, the principal responsibility system under the leadership of the party Committee and the principal responsibility system in some colleges and universities will be piloted; 1989, the principal responsibility system under the leadership of the party Committee will be implemented.

Macroscopically, the structure of higher education includes hierarchical structure, formal structure, energy level structure, regional structure and management system structure; Microscopically, the structure of higher education includes discipline structure, curriculum structure, teaching material structure and team structure.