The article substantiates the possibilities of student sports, which is a generalized category of student activities in the form of competitions and preparation in order to achieve the ultimate results in the chosen specialization. Sports are a form of self-expression and self-affirmation of students that define their lifestyle, general cultural and socially significant priorities. The aim of the study. To study the influence of situations of sports competitions on the formation of personal qualities of students-athletes at higher educational institutions. Research methods. The following theoretical research methods are used: analysis, synthesis, classification, systematization; empirical methods: surveys, sociometry, statistical method of processing results. Results of the research. The indicators of professional achievements of studentsathletes at higher educational institutions were analyzed, which made it possible to determine quantitative and qualitative differences in sports achievements, as well as the influence of sports situations on the formation of personal qualities. The results of educational and sports activities in the formation of socially significant qualities are considered: social activity, independence, confidence in students' abilities. Conclusion. Student sport is a generalized category of student activity in the form of competitions and preparation in order to achieve extreme results in the chosen specialization. The result of educational and sports activities of students is the formation of socially significant qualities: social activity, independence, self-confidence, ambition. The formation of personal qualities of students of higher education during sports classes within the experiment is a set of conceptual provisions and the creation of appropriate pedagogical conditions. It is proved that the created pedagogical conditions, namely constant trainings and participation in competitions of different level promote increase of sports skill of participants of a team and development of personal qualities of students, favorable both for their big success, both in a certain kind of sport, and in any kind of activity in general.