Who studies at a distance?
The cliché of the young full-time student does not fit distance learning. This report shows in numbers who really studies at a distance: gender, age, employment and subjects.
The typical distance learners
Three key figures that distinguish distance learning from on-campus study.
In short: Distance learners are mostly female, considerably older than on-campus students and in a large majority employed. At FernUniversität in Hagen the average age is over 38 years, three quarters work alongside their studies.
Two thirds choose business, law and social sciences
The distribution of the 262,229 distance learners across the subject groups, winter semester 2024/25.
In short: Law, business and social sciences dominate distance learning with 65.2 percent, followed by engineering with 18.5 percent. All other subject groups share the rest.
Distance learners by subject group, winter semester 2024/25
Shares of all 262,229 distance learners in Germany.
Data as a table
| Subject group | Distance learners | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Law, business and social sciences | 170,949 | 65.2% |
| Engineering | 48,633 | 18.5% |
| Human medicine, health sciences | 21,754 | 8.3% |
| Mathematics, natural sciences | 6,113 | 2.3% |
| Humanities | 6,058 | 2.3% |
| Art, art studies | 4,387 | 1.7% |
| Agricultural, forestry and nutrition sciences | 2,972 | 1.1% |
| Sport | 1,207 | 0.5% |
Distance learning is the second educational path of the employed
The demographics paint a clear picture: distance learners stand in the middle of life. On average they are well over 30, mostly work full-time or part-time and often already have a degree or an apprenticeship behind them. At FernUniversität in Hagen, 13.8 percent enter their studies entirely without a school-based higher education entrance qualification, that is via the vocational route.
Striking is the high share of women of 56.5 percent, a good five points above the average of all universities. Together with the subject distribution, in which business, law, social sciences and health dominate, one thing becomes clear: distance learning is above all a career instrument for working people who want to gain further qualifications alongside the job.
How job and study can be combined in practice is shown in the report Distance learning alongside work; what everyday life costs in hours is covered in the report on time commitment.
Answered briefly
How old are distance learners on average?
Considerably older than on-campus students. At FernUniversität in Hagen, the largest state provider, the average age is 38.3 years (summer semester 2026). At private distance universities, too, the group between the mid-twenties and the late forties dominates.
Do more women or men study at a distance?
More women: 56.5 percent of distance learners in Germany are female, compared with 51.2 percent at all universities (Destatis, WS 2024/25). At individual universities the ratio can differ depending on the subject profile.
Can you start distance learning without Abitur?
Yes, via the route for vocationally qualified applicants. At FernUniversität in Hagen, 13.8 percent study without a school-based higher education entrance qualification, that is via an apprenticeship, work experience or an advanced vocational qualification. The rules differ by federal state and university.
Sources, method and download
Where the numbers come from, how they are compiled and how you may reuse them with a source reference.
How these numbers are compiled
Gender distribution, subject groups and type of institution come from the official statistics of students (Destatis, table 21311-11, WS 2024/25). For age, employment and university entrance there is no official analysis across all distance learners; here we use the published key figures of FernUniversität in Hagen as the largest single population and label this accordingly. Supplementary structural data comes from the BIBB, whose survey is however not representative.
Sources: Federal Statistical Office, student statistics, winter semester 2024/25 (final) · FernUniversität in Hagen, facts and figures · BIBB, structural data on distance learning/distance education 2024
Last updated: 26.07.2026. The figures are updated as soon as the sources publish new data.
Does distance learning fit your life situation?
The data shows: most distance learners stand in the middle of their working lives. Whether it also fits you is best clarified in a personal conversation. At Studienflüsterer the initial consultation is free and without obligation.