A form of study in which students are not present at a university, but receive learning materials by mail or via the internet and study from home.
example
Sie macht neben ihrer Arbeit ein Fernstudium in Betriebswirtschaft.
She is doing a distance-learning degree in business administration alongside her job.
Usage tips
Compound word
The word 'Fernstudium' (distance learning) is made up of 'fern' (far away, from a distance) and 'Studium' (study / degree program). So it literally describes a degree program that you complete from a distance.
EXAMPLE
Ein Fernstudium erfordert viel Selbstdisziplin.
Distance learning requires a lot of self-discipline.
Typical verbs
In connection with a 'Fernstudium' (distance-learning degree), the verbs 'machen' (to do), 'beginnen' (to begin), 'absolvieren' (to complete), or 'abschließen' (to finish / graduate from) are often used.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Fernstudium erfolgreich abgeschlossen.
He successfully completed his distance-learning degree.
Sentence structure with 'in'
To name the subject of study, the preposition 'in' followed by the dative is used. The pattern is: 'ein Fernstudium in [Studienfach] machen/absolvieren' (to do/complete a distance-learning degree in [subject]).
EXAMPLE
Meine Kollegin macht ein Fernstudium in Psychologie.
My colleague is doing a distance-learning degree in psychology.