Abstract: This article examines the theoretical and practical aspects of European higher education development, driven by the increased dynamics of globalization processes, the implementation of digital learning technologies, and the convergence of curricula and programs. It emphasizes the importance of differentiation, cooperation, and conglomerations in many higher education disciplines, which have become more accessible and financially lucrative. The key characteristics of the European educational environment in the early 21st century are identified as high academic mobility, creativity in the educational process, active population aging, feminization of teaching, behavioral relationships between teachers and students, model diversity, and the significant (sometimes unjustified) influence of university rankings on the commercialization of educational and scientific products. The article substantiates the peculiarities of modernizing the contemporary European model of higher education, including the increasing demand for creative individuals, innovative diffusion, the expansion of specific educational services, the creation of cybernetic networks, and the formation of polystructural competence production platforms. It argues for the existence of new hybrid relationships in higher education (westernization, digitalization, synchronization, autonomization, heterogenization), collectively shaping a new structural model of European higher education. The role of EU institutions in managing the development processes of higher education institutions is underscored.