The main niche of e-learning in Western countries – is to provide educational services to various categories of the adult population. There are many educational institutions, specialize it for e-learning. For example, in the U.S. to the number of such "online universities" include: wgu, Capella, Walden, University of Phoenix, Grand Canyon University, Kaplan, Devry. Most of them are there for more than 20 years, beginning as a classical institution distance (distance education), gradually moving most of their educational process on the Internet. Foreign experience shows that comprehensive e-learning program – a good tool for implementing the idea of lifelong learning, ie learning throughout life, allowing experts constantly maintain their professional vitality, improve skills or retraining for as needed. In Europe, where university e-learning projects in many cases actively supported by government funding, their mission is declared as a global accessibility education, providing opportunities to take part in the educational process in any category of the adult population, regardless of their circumstances.

The introduction of e-learning can be a good source revenue for the university in the implementation of refresher courses, training courses or applicants for individual subjects for individual training. On these programs, students study the material independently using e-learning courses have been laid out on the site have the opportunity to remotely obtain advice of teachers and only passing the final tests and exams to come directly to the university. Additional vocational education, realized through e-learning, is popular for many social groups. They include professionals who need to improve their skills, seeking to find or change the profession, as well as people with disabilities, which e-learning tools allow you to receive higher education without leaving home.