The content and peculiarities of the organization of students’ independent work as one of compulsory types of educational activities at the university, which activates their cognitive, mental and creative abilities are analyzed in the article. The main emphasis is on the fact that with the correct and rational organization of this type of educational and cognitive activities, students successfully form the necessary professional competencies, stable need for self-education, the level of their self-realization increases; the individual pedagogical style is formed. In general, the independent work of students at the university is considered as an important reserve in the qualitative training of qualified professionals in the field of education.