Introduction. Today, the crisis of modern higher school and processes of its modernisation are followed by the crisis of institutional, inter-community and interpersonal trust, which has remained a fundamental basis of a high school system of vocational education for a very long time. The need to preserve trust as a fundamental basis and source of development of Russian higher education requires the study of its structural characteristics and understanding of the resource potential of trust by representatives of educational communities.

The aim of the research was the sociological substantiation of actualisation in higher education of the old resource properties of trust and the emergence of new ones associated with the prospects of transition to a non-linear model of higher education.

Methodology and research methods. The publication presents the results of theoretical and empirical sociological research, implemented with the use of theoretical positions and methodological principles of community and resource approaches, the theory of non-linear development of society. The empirical study was conducted using a mix strategy based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, expert interviews, semi-formalised interview, focus-groups, content analysis and the method of secondary analysis of sociological data.

Results and scientific novelty. The authors’ interpretation of the phenomenon of “old” and “new” trust in Russian higher education is presented. The novelty of the authors’ approach was to consider the problem of higher education not only within the framework of “educational” problems, but also in the broad context of social and socio-cultural changes, meaning the transition to a “liquid” postmodern society. The mobilisation possibilities for the constructive resolution of contradictions existing at the levels of institutional and inter-community relations and interactions in universities are shown. Practical significance. The research results have a positive significance not only for enrichment of the theory of higher education and social knowledge of non-material resources of its development. They are important to design various academic practical experience oriented on the use of resource properties of trust with a view to developing the social and human capital of high school communities as well as to elaborate new social technologies for managing the processes of trust formation in the university.

Introduction. Nowadays, the aspects of development of research competencies in future experts belong to the most relevant topics, which are widely being discussed both in Russian and in foreign scientific community. One of burning issues in this thematic block is diagnosis of such competencies without which their successful development is impossible. Today, we are witnessing the disparity between a large number of the methods presented in scientific sources and technologies of the formation of students’ research competency and limitation of its criteria and indicators. Moreover, there is lack of adequate methodological tools to estimate objectively the level and quality of scientific literacy and degree of students’ research activity.

The aim of the research was to define the content of a comprehensive diagnosis of the components of pedagogical students’ research competency and to justify the criteria, indicators and methods of its evaluation.

Methodology and research methods. The methods of analysis, synthesis, generalisation and modelling were employed. The systematic approach was applied, taking into account the provisions of plurality, integrity and structurisation.

Results and scientific novelty. The authors presented and described the model of formation of pedagogical students’ practice-focused research competency. The knowledge-based, value-oriented and practical components of the model are correlated to the methods of psycho-pedagogical monitoring, which are relevant to the content of these components. The complex of particular techniques for comprehensive, precise and complete assessment of future teachers’ research competency is designed. The complexity of measurement tools is provided with homogeneity between a theoretical construct (research competency) and operationalised constructs (psychological phenomena estimated in diagnostic techniques). Cumulative application of the selected diagnostic procedures and techniques allows: objective and subjective indicators of formation of research abilities and skills to be compared; motivation and readiness of students for implementation of independent research activity to be defined, taking into account social and professional contexts of its realisation.

Practical significance. The authors of the present publication propose to introduce into practice of the higher school the approaches to contents, structure and organisation of the psychological diagnostics of level of students’ research competency, which will give the chance not only to carry out the internal regular and continuous monitoring of formation of one of key characteristics of the identity of the modern expert in educational institutions, but also to optimise the process of multilevel high school preparation, having adjusted work on early identification of its problems and crisis stages to take timely effective correctional measures.

Introduction. Today, the system of secondary vocational education (SVE) is faced by a multi-factorial problem: the training of qualified specialists, taking into account approved federal unified standards; the fulfillment of potential employers’ requirements, which often do not coincide with these standards; and the determination of rapid responses to continuous changes in labour market conditions, i. e. the requirement for a qualitative human resources upgrade in regional production clusters and holding companies, as well as numerous small enterprises.

The aim of the research was to develop a methodology for analysing vocational-educational problematics. The methodology was designed for the differentiation, specification and justification of relevant specialised competencies, which complement universal and general professional competencies documented in educational standards.

Methodology and research methods. As a research methodology, a causal approach was used, specifically implemented in the form of a multi-dimensional matrix informing a stage-by-stage analysis, which links the need for qualified personnel (experts, who have necessary competencies) with the pedagogical conditions for their preparation (formation of necessary competencies in students).

Results and scientific novelty. We present a recommendation for the organisational and content-based improvement of specialist education in terms of key SVE tasks and factors. This education should be conducted by means of systematic identification and assessment of multi-dimensional regional and sectoral needs for trained personnel, projections of results of monitoring on educational programmes and development of means for the acquisition of the relevant skills. The structure and algorithm of multi-dimensional matrix analysis, providing a stageby-stage presentation of problems found in industrial enterprises concerning specified SVE graduate competencies, are described and visually presented. This also enables to effectively build and timely adjust the learning process of really demanded, competitive experts capable to realise innovative projects, to master and create new equipment, i. e. to keep the successful operation and development of production and economics of a region and a country in general. The logic-semantic model of formation of transprofessional competencies, which integrates technological, informational, legislative and communicative-interprofessional components, is designed. The model consists of eight coordinate axes (“Structure of package tasks”, “Significant factors”, “Components”, “Theoretical bases”, “Implementation”, “Criteria of formation of competencies”, “Result”, “Strategic partners”) and reflects internal interrelations between all the elements of process of vocational education.

Practical significance. The materials of the research and its results complement the theory and practice of vocational education, on the one hand, by new tools for development of federal and other standards, on the other hand, by methodological means of rational choice and justification through the introduction of the specific profile of variable professional competencies into SVE programmes. The authors proposed the methodological and graphic solutions of the problems and the recommendations, which can be used in the organisations of vocational education.

Introduction. The instability of the modern world with its rapidly changing social and economic realities requires the readiness of a person for self-change. For this reason, along with vocational education, higher education has to include the programmes to form future experts’ skills of professional self-development, which success depends on many circumstances, including self-attitude.

The aim of the research presented in the publication was to define the role of self-attitude in personal and professional self-development of students in the course of their professional training in higher education institution.

Methodology and research methods. Empirical methods were employed in the course of the research. The complex of psycho-diagnostic techniques was used: test-questionnaire of self-attitude by V. V. Stolin and S. R. Pantileev; tests: Life-Purpose Orientations Test by D. A. Leontiev, The General Self-Efficacy Scale by M. Jerusalem, R. Schwarzer and V. Romek, Assessment of Self-Control in Communication by M. Snyder; questionnaires: Personal Orientation Inventory by E. L. Shostrom, Ability to Self-Development by V. I. Zvereva, Willingness to SelfKnowledge and Self-Development by T. A. Ratanova and N. F. Shlyahta, Determination of level of reflexivity development by A. V. Karpov, Style of Self-Regulation Behaviour of Students by V. I. Morosanova. The obtained respondents’ responses (n = 110) were processed using methods of mathematical statistics, such as correlation and cluster analysis.

Results and scientific novelty. Different theoretical approaches to the problem of self-attitude highlighted in the scientific literature are considered. The affective and cognitive components of self-attitude are emphasised. Significant correlation relationships between the characteristics of self-attitude and level of motivational readiness for self-knowledge and self-development of 2^nd-4^th-year students-psychologists of N. P. Ogarev Mordovia State University have been revealed. It appears to be rather attributed by the fact that the attitude of students towards themselves in many respects is defined by the level of formation of their reflexive and regulatory qualities, understanding of the purpose and meaning of life, confidence in the professional success, which provide an incentive for self-change and self-improvement. The conducted cluster analysis allowed the authors to group the students around different levels of professional self-attitude and self-development (very high, high average and stagnant). The results of the research show that positive self-attitude is one of the important factors in self-development. The process of awareness of self-worth encourages the person to periodically reflect on career prospects and implementation of plans, providing the grounds for creative self-realisation.

Practical significance. The results obtained can be used by teachers and psychologists of higher educational institutions to organise psycho-pedagogical support for personal and professional self-development of students.

Introduction. The attractiveness of the city as a place to live and fulfill needs becomes one of the determining factors for the intensification of territorial mobility among young people. The image of the city and the image of the “future” are closely related and interdependent in consciousness of young people. Megalopolis as a high-resource territory is a special space for the implementation of students’ life plans. Hence, it is important to pay special attention to students as a potential driver for the development of the territory (city, region, country), creating an attractive urban environment.

Aim. Taking into account the results of a sociological study, the aims of the publication were the following: to analyse the attractiveness of the city, to characterise its place in the life planning of students and to determine the role in territorial movements.

Methodology and research methods. The empirical basis of the study was a semi-standardised questionnaire for students of 3–4 courses at 9 universities in Ekaterinburg (n = 200), and in-depth interviews with students representing different types of orientations to territorial mobility (n = 8). Collected data were processed by means of a method of thematic networks.

Results and scientific novelty. According to respondents, the factors, which provide comfort of life in the city, are considered; competitive advantages and shortcomings of the environment of the megalopolis are characterised; it is shown how its specific characteristics are reflected in vital plans of students. Two idealised ideas of the city as the place for life are allocated: 1) a “comfortable” city for everyday practices and open for innovations and creativity; 2) an “instrumental” city as the platform for career development and material welfare, which can be emotionally unattractive, but functionally effective. The factor constraining territorial mobility is the reproduction of social connections and relations in the current residence area; students view the movement as a type of risky behaviour. However, 42% of respondents include in their life plans a move to another city, located both in Russia and abroad. In the motivational structure of territorial mobility, the leading positions are occupied by the desire for independence, the idealised image of the city planned for life, and the discrepancy between the conditions of a particular city and the actual needs of the young generation. Hence, the strategic direction of planning and designing urban space is the increase in the socio-cultural, economic, and environmental sustainability of the territory. Administrative structures as the agents, initiating, introducing and regulating the complex strategy of increase in attractiveness of the territory, need to consider not only the territorial capital, which the megalopolis has, but also typical needs and interests of the target social groups, especially those related to the creative class.

Practical significance. The presented materials and the authors’ conclusions can be used to determine the priority directions of the development of urban environment and intra-urban youth policy and to develop programmes for forming students’ competencies related to life planning and territorial mobility.

Introduction. Considerably increased intensity of educational process in higher education institution frequently becomes the reason of deterioration in students’ health. The traditional system of physical education (PE), designed to maintain good health of students in new conditions, does not cope with an objective defined. Obviously, health preservation of a person is promoted by physical activities, which are adequate to his or her psycho-physiological characteristics and should be worked out individually for each person. The estimations can be carried out in different ways and on the basis of different parameters, among which the authors emphasise heart rate variability and vegetative regulation that act as indicators of adaptation and adaptive activity of an organism.

The aim of the present research was to identify individual appropriate physical load for students with various motion behaviour types through the use of informational technologies (IT).

Methodology and research methods. The research was based on health-preserving and differentiated approaches to physical education organisation. Health preservation was the leading principle of the approaches taken into account. The empiric research methods included content analysis, comparative analysis, synthesis and generalisation. The survey sampling and processing of experimental data were carried out by means of the hardware and software complex (HSC).

Results and scientific novelty. The authors studied and documented the interconnection of students’ heart rate variability, taking into account their age and sex peculiarities, motion behaviour and medical groups. The regulatory systems tension degree differentiation was offered and approved. The criteria to determine a vegetative tonus of students (eutony, vagotony, sympathicotony) were identified on the basis of nonparametric algorithms of automatic classification, recognition of samples and theorem of statistical hypothesis tests. Thus, PE teacher can systematically increase the adaptation potential of students due to inclusion in a training course of corrective and rehabilitation programmes. The efficiency of IT in sport and recreational physical activities was scientifically based. The diagnostics on the basis of HSC, which includes data filtering, determination of parameters of selection of the histogram, graphic display of results of the spectrogram, allows specialists: to estimate the work of cardiovascular system and adaptatively compensation abilities of vegetative regulation mechanisms in a comprehensive, accurate and rapid way; to determine various violations of heart rhythm at donosological level (sick sinus node, atrial fibrillation, etc.); to select options for individual physical and training loads.

Practical significance. The authors’ scientific and methodological approach to the organisation of sport activities raises the subject of PE in higher educational institutions to a significantly upgraded level: through computer technologies, it becomes the effective instrument of health-preserving activity, which is the promising direction in PE of student’s youth. The research results can be used in practice of educational institutions of various types.

Introduction. In the era of globalisation, which affects all spheres of modern social life (political, financial, scientific, technical, religious, cultural), the processes of internationalisation and academic migration in higher education have significantly intensified. The rapidly growing mobility in higher education, when students study outside their country of residence, is accompanied by certain problems, which include students’ adaptation to the conditions of unfamiliar urban environment. The introduction of new methodological tools for teaching humanitarian disciplines in universities can contribute to the elimination of barriers and successful transition of students to another, different from their customary, socio-cultural environment.

The aim of the research was to present the results of experimental work aimed at the development of students’ intercultural communicative tolerance within the foreign language learning, and to reveal the role of self-organising systems in the university international academic environment.

Methodology and research methods. The study is based on the theory of self-organising systems. In the process of designing and application of the authors’ technology aimed at developing students’ intercultural communicative tolerance, experimental methods and the method of comparative analysis were used.

Results and scientific novelty. It has been shown that academic migration is a self-organising system characterised by socio-cultural instability. The factors of human transition from one urboecological niche to another, which often disturbs the balance of social systems, have been described. Lacking knowledge about such processes in the theory and practice of pedagogy within higher education has been stated. Insufficient level of intercultural communicative tolerance of Russian (132 people) and foreign (40 people) students, who studied at the Ural Federal University (Ekaterinburg, Russia) in 2015, has proved the necessity of its systematic focused formation. The technology for the development of this type of tolerance within the framework of the ‘Foreign Language’ discipline has been proposed. The approbation of the technology has demonstrated its effectiveness. The students have not only acquired the necessary competencies, but also learned to adapt to the new academic environment, as well as had the opportunity to directly participate in the creation of their own academic programs.

Practical significance. The research confirms the productivity of mutual adaptation of students to an unfamiliar socio-cultural academic environment. The author’s technology of intercultural communicative tolerance development can be used to optimise the pedagogical conditions of maintaining the processes of internationalisation and academic mobility within universities.