Competency-based approach in higher education: The main concepts

The article is devoted to the actual problem of higher education – the application of the competency-based approach to the training of a modern specialist. The analysis of the source base of the research was carried out for the purpose of specifying the concepts of "competence" and "competency-based approach", as well as highlighting the features of competency-based approach application in higher education of Ukraine. The purpose of the article is to clarify the concept of "competence", "competency-based approach", as well as the characteristics of competency-based approach application in higher education of Ukraine in the context of its harmonization in accordance with the requirements of the European Union. The article provides a definition of the concept of "competence", "competence approach". The key competences for life in the 21st century are characterized, the components of the professional competence of a modern specialist are presented.