More and more parents are now opting for private tutoring services due to their many benefits. They were more preferred after the pandemic in 2020. According to a report, about 30% of students aged 11-16 have received private tutoring at least once. This boost in the tutoring landscape has given rise to many private tutors seizing the opportunity. However, one of every tutor’s primary questions is what tutoring rates they should charge. Well, the answer depends on a multitude of factors. Hence, as a tutor, it is important to understand different aspects of the tutoring rates in the UK to position yourself appropriately.
In the article below, we will understand what factors affect the pricing and the most apt tutoring rates per hour in the UK.
Why is Tutoring in High Demand in 2025?
The education trends evolve rapidly each year. Moreover, post-pandemic, the private and online tutoring market has seen a boom like never before. These changes have also led to a significant shift in the UK’s average tutor cost per hour. There are a variety of reasons why the tutoring service and its rates are increasing at a constant rate. Here are some of the reasons:
- With GCSE and A-level examinations becoming more competitive, more and more parents are seeking private tutoring services and are ready to pay increased tutor rates.
- After the pandemic, online tutoring is rapidly catching on, as parents can now access qualified tutors from across the country at home.
- Also, specialized tutoring is needed for entrance tests such as the Oxbridge entrance or SEN support. These specialized tutoring services will also attract higher fees.
- Parents today are more conscious and focused on their child’s overall development. Hence, they want to invest wisely in long-term academic support instead of just last-minute exam preparation assistance.
Factors that Help Decide Tutoring Rates Per Hour in the UK
Being a tutor is not just about clearing doubts or summarizing what’s already in the textbooks. It is so much more. It involves applying different techniques to help students learn and understand new concepts according to their grasping power. Hence, the prices of tutoring services change from one tutor to another.
The cost of private or home tutoring in the UK will depend on several factors. The factors that are listed below will help you in determining what prices you should set without the parents feeling that it is overpriced:
Subjects
The pricing of tutoring services majorly changes based on the subject for which the services are rendered. Subjects in which more time and energy is to be invested will automatically have higher hourly prices.
For example, STEM subjects such as Computer Science, Maths, Chemistry, and Physics often have higher tutoring rates per hour in the UK.
Location
Location is another aspect that will considerably affect the pricing of tutoring services. Urban areas always have higher tutoring rates compared to rural areas.
For example, the average tutor cost per hour in London, UK, can be 10 to 25% more expensive than the pricing in North England.
Qualifications and Experience
Tutors who are more qualified or have years of experience can charge more than those with lesser qualifications or who are just starting their tutoring business.
For example, a tutor with a PhD will have a higher average tutor cost per hour in the UK compared to a tutor who is just a graduate.
Type of Tutoring
The type of tutoring, such as in-person or online tutoring, will define the cost of the tutoring services that you can request.
For example, in-person tutoring is expensive, considering the extra charges for transport. On the other hand, online tutoring is less costly, as tutoring does not require investing time or energy in physically traveling.
Demand
The demand for tutoring services will be directly proportional to your asking fee—the more demand there is, the higher the average cost of tutoring per hour in the UK.
For example, when examinations are just a few months away, the demand for tutoring services and prices increases.
You can also get pricing ideas offered by tutor management service providers such as Wise, which will help you understand how to set prices and other pricing aspects in a tutoring business.
Average Cost of Tutoring Per Hour in the UK
Now that we have understood what factors can affect the cost of tutoring services, let’s understand how much a private tutor costs in the UK on an hourly basis, based on different factors.
Average Cost of Tutoring Per Hour As Per Location
As the location is a detrimental factor as to what the tutoring rates per hour will be, let us understand what the average per-hour rate is in different locations across the UK:
- Liverpool: £26
- Cardiff: £26
- Nottingham: £26
- Edinburgh: £27
- Southampton: £28
- Brighton: £29
- Reading: £30
- Cambridge: £33
- London: £35
Average Cost of Tutoring Per Hour As Per Tutoring Type
The type of tutoring service that you offer will also affect the per-hour rates. Let us look at some of the types of tutoring and the respective rates per hour in 2025:
- Primary School: £25–£35
- Secondary School (Key Stage 3): £30–£40
- GCSE: £35–£50
- A-level: £40–£60
- University Level: £45–£70
- 11+ and Entrance Exams: £45–£65
- SEN (Special Educational Needs): £45–£70
- Oxbridge/Medicine Entrance: £60–£100+
- Online Group Tutoring (per student): £10–£25
Average Cost of Tutoring Per Hour As Per Subject
Some tutors also offer subject-based tutoring services, where the prices will differ from one subject to another. Here are some of the subjects and their rates per hour in 2025:
- Mandarin: £53
- German: £48
- French: £43
- Spanish: £39
- English Literature: £36
- Psychology: £35
- Physics: £48
- Chemistry: £46
- Economics: £50
- Maths: £41
- Biology: £37
Note: The rates mentioned in the lists above are average rates. The final rates can be higher or lower depending on qualification, tutor experience, and the location where tutoring services are rendered.
How You Can Set Your Tutoring Rates?
Now that you know which factors will impact the pricing and the average tutor rates, you can set pricing for your tutoring business. Here is how you can approach the pricing part:
Get Research Done
Search for other tutors or tutoring services in your area regarding subjects or types of tutoring services. Based on the information and your expertise, you can then set competitive pricing to land more clients.
Understand Your USP
Know what you are offering. Whether it is the personalized service or exceptional teaching experience, based on this, set your rates.
Check the Demand
If you see that you are getting more inquiries, you can set higher prices to check if you can land clients. Likewise, if you are a budding tutor, you can start with lower prices and raise them when you see that you are in high demand.
Managing operations well is just as important as setting the right rate. See how one UK tutoring business streamlined bookings and payments using Wise
What Factors will Justify High Tutoring Rates?
The average tutor cost per hour in the UK you offer should be justified so parents see you as a reliable and trustworthy brand. Let us understand what factors will help justify the tutor rate that you set:
- Have a strong brand profile by showcasing certificates, degrees, testimonials, and past student results.
- Have professional reports and reference materials such as lesson plans, notes, and progress reports.
- Use edtech tools or tutor management software that will offer a seamless experience for the students and parents.
- Showcase the additional services that you provide apart from mainstream tutoring services.
- Use a tutor management software that has student side dashboards, branded mobile apps and white-labelling – this helps you position as a premium tutor
Charging premium tutoring rates is easier when your systems reflect professionalism. See how Sem Tuition automated payments, reduced admin, and confidently introduced fixed monthly pricing with Wise.
Conclusion
A tutoring rate is more than just a number; it is a fee that you ask for the services you offer. It reflects your qualifications, expertise, professionalism, and your result-driven approach. As the UK tutoring market is highly competitive, setting a price that benefits you and the students is necessary. It is important to understand the average pricing for tutors per hour so that you can set a competitive price. You must be fair when it comes to pricing and the services that you offer. It will ultimately lead to building trust with your clients. It is best to have tutor management software to plan the aspects of a tutoring business, especially pricing.
FAQs
What is the average range of tutor rates in the UK?
The average tutor rates per hour range from £25 to £60. However, it will change depending on the expertise level, location, and tutor’s experience.
Can I charge more if I have a PhD degree?
Yes, with more qualifications, you can set a higher tutoring fee, as the degree ensures that you bring more knowledge to the students.
Is group tutoring more profitable?
Yes, it can collectively be profitable when you have more students, even when the base fee is less.
Can I increase my tutor rate mid-year?
Sticking to set pricing for the entire year is generally recommended. Changing the rates mid-year might not come across as best practice in front of the students and parents.
