Abstract: In her article Pakhareva emphasizes the need to develop a new educational methodology based on innovative approaches that would ensure a quality training of University students in terms of graphic competence development. Pakhareva underlines the need to apply innovations in the sphere of education as the means of modernization of the system of training and raising efficiency of education. The researcher analyzes the reasons, purpose and the value of innovations included in the process of developing graphic competence of University students. The author describes the essence of a competence approach, categories of professional and graphic competence, analyzes contradictions of current pedagogical practice of teaching engineering graphic disciplines as part of students' vocational training. The subject of the research is the process of teaching engineering graphic disciplines at a University. The research methods used by the author include analysis of pedagogical research literature, requirements for higher education, terminological analysis of innovation terms, competence approach, analysis of experience in teaching engineering graphic disciplines at Vyatka State University, especially development of graphic competence, questionnaire survey and testing of students. As a result of the research, the author describes goals and targets of studying engineering graphic disciplines, peculiarities of organising educational materials, communication of student and teacher, use of contemporary software products and technologies, supervision of workplaces where students learn computer-aided design. The author offers particular solutions to modernize the system of graphic training at a University. The results of the research outline the need to realize innovative approaches to preparing future engineers and initiate the development of the innovative method for organising the process of developing graphic competence of University students.