Universal competencies of a university graduate in domestic and foreign pedagogy: traditions and modernity

The article analyzes the research experience of Russian and foreign scientists in the field of studying universal (“soft”) competences. It compares the perspectives of domestic and foreign scientists regarding the content of these competencies and ways of their formation. A historical review of approaches to understanding the ways of forming and content of this group of competencies is provided. The article describes the history of the emergence of the concept of “competence” and updates the list of competencies that are not subject-specific. The author primarily focuses on substantiating the issues surrounding the formation of universal competencies. The content of universal competences is analyzed: including their internal descriptors. This issue is considered in the historical context in the works of both Russian and foreign scientists. The result of the analysis clarifies that the descriptors included in universal competencies have been previously studied and considered as qualities of an individual’s personality or value-semantic qualities. The description of practices of formation of “soft” competences by foreign scientists and universal competences by Russian scientists is given. In addition, the history of development and testing of proprietary tools and practices is presented.