Formation of universal competencies in physical education classes for students of educational institutions of higher education

The article is devoted to the analysis of organization of the educational process for physical education of students in universities, which is obliged to ensure the formation of students with the necessary universal competencies in accordance with the requirements of the Federal State Educational Standard of Higher Education. According to many authors, the existing organization of physical education does not allow students to form those universal competencies that should motivate them to regularly perform physical exercises to maintain a proper level of physical fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle. The Olympiads conducted by the authors to assess students’ knowledge of the basics of health-improving physical culture and an online survey of students about self-training classes in physical culture showed that the residual level of necessary knowledge among students is low, and most of them are not engaged in physical self-training. In order to improve the current situation in universities, the Scientific and Methodological Council for the Development and Disciplines (Modules) on Physical Culture and Sports of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation needs to consider improving the educational process for physical education of students.