The author reveals the necessity of introducing into the educational and professional programs of preparation of masters of non-pedagogical specialties of the discipline "Didactics of higher education". Formation of pedagogical competences of the teacher of the higher school will allow the future specialists professional activity in the institutions of higher education. The article reveals the essence of didactic competence and peculiarities of its formation in higher education students in the current conditions of organizing the initial process. The competency approach should permeate all aspects of student training. Therefore, a special (didactic) competence should be included in the list of the graduates' learning outcomes. The didactic competence is the ability to apply knowledge of psychology and pedagogy (didactics) in the educational process of higher education institutions. In the orientation of the educational and professional program of the master of non-pedagogical specialties it is necessary to enter competencies that allow him to engage in teaching activities. General competences add to the ability to carry out pedagogical activities using innovative educational technologies, and special competences add to the ability to organize the educational process and carry out scientific research in order to solve topical problems of the theory, methodology, organization and practice of higher education students. One of the most important compulsory (normative) disciplines that enable the future specialist to teach special and professional disciplines in higher education institutions should be "Didactic of Higher Education". This is the main feature of forming didactic competence in higher education institutions. But the competent approach in higher education does not come down to a separate discipline, but because the phenomenon of integral and dynamic develops in the process of formal, non-formal and informal education and is in constant development and self-development. All stages of preparation of the master of non-pedagogical specialties for teaching activity should be directed on achievement of the main purpose of the educational process — formation of pedagogical competences of applicants of higher education.
