The article substantiates the relevance of the presented topic, draws attention to the problem of formation and development of innovative thinking among university students. In conditions of constant changes, rapid development of technologies and the surrounding reality, graduates need appropriate competencies, among which innovative thinking stands out, allowing them to change professional reality based on the knowledge and skills acquired at the university in order to improve its quality. The authors reveal the essence of the concept of "innovative thinking", the differences between creative and innovative thinking. The purpose of the study is to determine the pedagogical conditions for the formation and development of innovative thinking among university students. To achieve this goal, methods of theoretical analysis and processing of empirical data were used. The main method was a survey of students using a questionnaire developed by the authors. The analysis made it possible to identify the pedagogical conditions for the formation of innovative thinking: self-realization, the introduction of innovative educational technologies, consideration of individuality, the creation of an innovative environment and the role of a teacher coordinator.