The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has provided fundamental guidelines for improving the overall pattern of united front work at a new starting point. As special groups assisting the Party in conducting mass work, university mass organizations have significant value and functions in the overall pattern of united front work in higher education institutions. The mass organizations and the overall pattern of united front work in the field of higher education have unique connotations, and there is a close intrinsic relationship between the two. To build an overall pattern of united front work in universities, it is necessary to clarify the basic ideas from perspectives including recognizing the new situation of united front work in universities in the new era, comprehensively strengthening the Party's leadership over united front work, and focusing on cultivating united front talents in mass organizations. Mass organizations, such as trade unions and the Communist Youth League, play important roles in enhancing the cohesion of faculty and staff, uniting young students, and spreading the Party's united front concepts within the overall pattern of united front work in universities in the new era. Additionally, they perform significant functions, such as strengthening ideological and political guidance, safeguarding the rights and interests of teachers and students, and building communication platforms. These contributions provide strong support for universities in fulfilling the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education.