Distance learning courses become more and more popular. Distance learners particularly aim to acquire graduation-related qualifications. Thus, it is the more important to ensure a good consultancy system, which takes into consideration the life situation and personal educational and developmental goals of distance learners and which at the same time is serious, professional and knowledgeable.The anthology presents the results of a project during the course of which the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (Federal Institute for Professional Education) investigated the role of professional consultancy within the distance learning context. Amongst others, the investigation looked at whether the existing consultancy provisions meet the requirements of those asking for advice.The findings determined are complemented with contributions about the conception and design of distance learning from the viewpoint of science and distance learning practice.