The aim of the article is to present the basic competencies of entrepreneurs in the contemporary market economy and to compare them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes of potential entrepreneurs, i.e. students of technical universities. The research tool used was an original questionnaire. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis. The declared intention to run one's own business was compared to the declared ability to write a business plan. The results of the research

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... sented in the article were compared with the author's previous study into shaping entrepreneurial attitudes among students. It should be noted that, in engineering faculties, competence in entrepreneurship, management and economics is sometimes considered unnecessary. It seems, however, that the relevant knowledge gained in high school is insufficient. Young people should have a sound understanding of the principles governing the market economy and the mechanisms at work in the labour market. They should have basic legal knowledge, be able to manage and motivate people as well as plan their own business. The results of the presented research make it possible to identify the competence gap and, potentially, create entrepreneurship education programmes for technical universities.