How Much Does Tutoring Cost in the UK? (2026 Rates)
Tutoring rates in the UK vary by subject, level, and tutor experience. This guide covers what you can expect to pay — and how to find good value.
Tutoring rates in the UK vary significantly depending on subject, level, tutor experience, and whether sessions are online or in-person. Here is a clear breakdown of what to expect in 2026.
Typical UK Tutoring Rates by Level
| Level | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Primary / KS2 | £15–£30/hr |
| 11+ and entrance exams | £25–£50/hr |
| GCSE | £20–£40/hr |
| A-Level | £30–£60/hr |
| University level | £40–£80/hr |
| Specialist subjects | £50–£100/hr |
These are market rates for UK tutors. Rates in London and the South East tend to run £5–£10/hr higher than elsewhere.
What Affects the Price?
Tutor experience is the biggest factor. A recent graduate tutoring their own degree subject will charge less than a former teacher with 10 years of exam experience.
Subject difficulty also plays a role. Maths, sciences, and Latin command higher rates than more widely-taught humanities.
Online vs in-person — online tutors often charge slightly less because they have lower overhead, though this gap has narrowed as online tutoring has become mainstream.
Frequency and commitment — some tutors offer a small discount for weekly recurring bookings.
How Often Should a Student Have Tutoring?
For most students, one session per week is the minimum to see consistent progress. Two sessions per week is common when approaching exams. Intensive revision in the weeks before GCSEs or A-Levels sometimes involves daily sessions.
A typical GCSE revision programme might run:
- 20 weeks × 1 hour/week = 20 hours = £400–£800 at standard rates
- With an exam-focused tutor for the final 6 weeks = £120–£360
Is Tutoring Worth the Cost?
That depends on the outcome. A student who improves from a grade 4 to a grade 6 in GCSE Maths — avoiding a resit and opening up more sixth form choices — gets significant value from a £200–£400 investment.
The earlier tutoring starts, the cheaper it is to produce results. Emergency pre-exam tutoring is more expensive per point gained than consistent support over a longer period.
How to Get Good Value
- Compare profiles before booking — look at subject, level, and review history
- Start early — better outcomes per hour when there is time to build properly
- Be clear about goals — a tutor who knows exactly what you need wastes fewer sessions
- Use a platform with low commission — on TheTutorLink, tutors keep 95% of every fee, so the rates you see go almost entirely to the tutor
Compare tutor profiles and rates for free — find a tutor on TheTutorLink.