The tendencies of the development of higher education and the requirements in the preparation of social teachers in the context of modern social development are considered in the article. The competences which are necessary for the preparation of a social teacher, offered by Ukrainian scientists, the competence of the survival of graduates in the labour market which were outlined by American scientists and the basic and central competences which are in the competency profile of a social teacher in the German system of the training of specialists to work in the social sphere are allocated.