The article presents an analysis of using distance learning technology in university education in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and the attitude of students to this format of education. The authors justify the urgency of the problem under study for modern education and update the basic requirements for education in the situation of growing uncertainty. The paper describe the methodological foundations and genesis of the development of distance learning, distinguishes the concepts of "distance education" and "distance learning". The authors determine the features of distance learning in modern conditions and highlight the main problems and contradictions that were provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the social isolation. The aim of this study is to evaluate emotional attitude of university students of the humanities and natural sciences to distance learning, implemented in the pandemic situation. The presented results of an empirical study reveal the pros and cons of distance learning, the active use of Internet resources by students in learning, and the willingness to rebuild in a changing environment. © The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2020.