How to Become a Tutor as a Student

Tutoring is one of the best-paid flexible jobs available to students. Here is exactly how to start — from setting up your profile to landing your first booking.

Tutoring is one of the most practical ways for students to earn money. The hours are flexible, the pay is well above minimum wage, and the experience looks good on a CV or UCAS application. Here is how to get started.

Why Tutoring Works for Students

Flexible scheduling — sessions happen when you choose, not on a fixed rota
Good hourly rates — £15–£40/hr depending on subject and level
Online option — no travel time; a single lesson takes exactly as long as the session itself
Reinforces your own knowledge — explaining things to others cements your understanding

Step 1: Identify What You Can Teach

Be honest with yourself. The best tutors work 2–3 levels below their current study level.

If you are:

A sixth former (year 12–13) — teach GCSE subjects you excelled at
A first or second-year student — teach A-Level subjects from your degree or closely related
A final-year or postgraduate student — teach up to first-year undergraduate if relevant

You do not need to be the best in your cohort — you just need to know the subject well enough to identify gaps in a younger student’s understanding and explain them clearly.

Step 2: Set Your Rate

Student tutors typically charge:

GCSE level: £15–£25/hr
A-Level level: £20–£35/hr
University level: £30–£50/hr

Start in the lower half of the range and raise your rate once you have 3–5 reviews.

Step 3: Create a Profile on TheTutorLink

TheTutorLink is free to register and charges only 5% commission per lesson. Your profile should include:

A clear, professional photo
Your degree subject and year of study (or sixth form and predicted grades)
The subjects and levels you tutor
A short paragraph on your approach

Do not leave the description blank — it is your pitch. A specific, well-written description converts much better than a generic one.

Step 4: Spread the Word

Your first student is likely to come from your existing network. Post on your personal social media, mention it to family friends, and ask your parents to spread the word. Be specific: “I’m taking on GCSE Maths students online or in [town] — message me if you know anyone.”

Schools and sixth forms sometimes have informal tutor lists — contact the admin office or a relevant head of year and ask to be added.

Step 5: Deliver Good Sessions

A strong first session matters. Keep it focused:

Ask the student what they found hardest recently
Cover one topic properly rather than rushing through three
Assign a small task for next time
Book the next session before you leave

Students who see progress come back. Students who feel sessions were rushed or unclear do not.

Step 6: Ask for a Review

After three or four sessions, send a short message to the student or parent: “If you’ve found the sessions useful, a quick review on my profile would really help.”

One review makes a significant difference to how many new enquiries your profile receives.

Create your free student tutor profile on TheTutorLink — takes under 10 minutes.