The article is concerned with a unique and extremely sophisticated process of higher education system functioning under conditions of national conflict and enemy’s occupation of a large part of the state. Documents and events connected with maintaining activity of higher education institutions are analyzed. Three levels of development of this process are considered. They are central (all-Soviet Union and republican), regional (the case of Irkutsk region), and object-related (the case of Irkutsk higher education institutions). Entrance to higher education institutions at different war periods is considered. Basic government documents regulating this process and procedure peculiarities specified by war-time are touched upon.

The process of reversion from accelerated education to education with traditional length of academic course is shown. New forms and elements of the curriculum introduced due to the new challenges are accentuated. Problems of specialization training quality, actualization of military-patriotic orientation of education are dealt with, as well as defense and political orientation of academic activities. Specific features of students’ social life, as well as difficulties they faced with are revealed.