Introduction:

Training based on generic competencies has led Higher Education institutions to submit to market criteria, and to generate study plans that respond to these demands. Objective: To know the opinion of the fourth-year students of the Nutrition and Dietetics career of the University of Atacama, regarding the development of generic competences during their academic training.

Methods:

Qualitative research by cases study was carried out. The population was made up of 10 students 2017-2018 academic year, after signing an informed consent authorized by the school's management. Data collection was done through a focus group and analysis through reduction. Scientific rigor was determined by rigorous criteria: credibility, transferability, dependence and confirmability, and also triangulated by researchers.

Results:

Level 1, 334 units of meaning were identified, which generated 4 descriptive categories, Level 2, 3 meta-categories emerged, originating in Level 3 a qualitative domain: contribution of the students with respect to the development of Generic Competences during their process of training considering the current Study Plan.

Conclusions:

The majority of students do not recognize what generic competences are, nor those declared by the career and University. The generic ones that best identify are ethical commitment, teamwork, ability to learn and adapt to new situations, oral and written communication. Among the aspects that facilitate its development are methodological strategies with a constructivist approach, while those that hinder it are mainly focused on the lack of practical applicability, lack of student-centered teacher training, and immaturity and demotivation as personal conditions of the student.

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