The article is devoted to the analysis of the existing organizational and pedagogical problems of distance learning in a contemporary university. The problems of distance learning solved at different levels are considered, such as those at the levels of the university authorities and ministries, university departments and higher schools, technical departments of the university. A comparative analysis of the scientific and methodological literature on distance learning is carried out, the results of students' and teachers' survey are studied. Practical importance of the information duplication principle is shown when conducting online teaching for any distance learning disciplines. Duplication of informing students in the process of distance learning in two universities of St. Petersburg, PSTU and SPbPU, which contributes to an increase in reliability in conducting classes, is illustrated with specific examples of teaching translation practice and mathematics. © 2020 Copyright for this paper by its authors.