Abstract
Based on the best world practices, for the formation of a digital society, first of all, there is a need to modernize the system of vocational education. Today, it is important to direct the entire system of vocational education to the formation of competent specialists who are in demand in the labor market. The professionally important qualities and competencies that are in demand in the XXI century for a future specialist include the ability to think globally, digital literacy and digital competence, continuing education, performing creative tasks, etc.Digital competence is the ability of a future specialist to use information and communication technologies for a comfortable life in a digital environment, for interacting with society, and for performing digital tasks in professional activities. In the conditions of a university, a number of factors affect the formation of digital competencies of future specialists, and it is important to consider these factors for the effective formation of digital competencies.The article analyzes the work carried out on the basis of state programs for the digitalization of the higher education system. The essence and content of the concept of digital competence are concretized, and external and internal factors contributing to the formation of digital competence of future specialists at the university are determined. Using the methods of questionnaires and interviews, the results of research on external and internal factors affecting the formation of digital competence of future specialists were obtained. The results of the survey of students of pedagogical specialties allowed us to draw important conclusions on the formation of digital competence at the university.