I have been trying to find texts concerning the Western university system. I am interested all of it from ~1100AD, but in particular the modern period from about 1800 till today. I am trying to rationalise how we ended up with what we presently have. I also realise even this time span can be split into different periods. Using Google is hopeless as using search terms like 'history of universities' just gives university departments. The few texts I have read all seem to contradict each other. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
(Every post I post here gets deleted, just hope this one makes it. Interpreting rules isn't my strong point)
So if you want to get into the weeds of it, there is a very nice multi-volume History of the University In Europe. The volume listing is as follows:
I. Universities in the Middle Ages. Editor: Hilde de Ridder-Symoens
II. Universities in Early Modern Europe (1500–1800). Editor: Hilde de Ridder-Symoens
III. Universities in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries (1800–1945). Editor: Walter Rüegg
IV.. Universities from 1945 to 1992. Editor: Walter Rüegg
It's very detailed, very scholarly. Obviously if you are interest in differences in the American system, you'd have to look elsewhere. But volume 3 in particular seems to be what you're looking for, because it covers the development of the modern research university (the Humboldtian reforms and their aftermath).
For the developments in the 20th century in the United States, there are two volumes by Roger Geiger: To Advance Knowledge: The Growth of American Research Universities, 1900-1940, and Research and Relevant Knowledge: American Research Universities Since World War II. There are also many fine volumes on the Cold War university in the United States, but that doesn't sound like quite what you are looking for (though it is relevant, as a lot of what you think of as "what we presently have" is a result of the second half of the 20th century).
Can you say more about what you mean by systems? That is, each institution of higher education in Europe and North America has its own history. Do you mean modern systems like the State University System of California or New York?