How Much Does a Private Tutor Cost? UK Tutor Prices in 2026

Most private tutors in the UK charge between £25 and £50 per hour. The average sits in the mid to high £30s. Primary support costs less, while sixth form, admissions tests and specialist subjects cost more. London is higher again. This guide sets out what you should expect to pay, and why the price moves so much.

Key takeaways

• Typical UK rates run from £25 to £50 an hour, with an average in the mid to high £30s.
• Primary rates sit at the lower end of this range. Advanced subjects and exam years cost more.
• London prices run roughly 20% to 30% above the rest of the UK market.
• Online lessons are not automatically cheaper than in-person tuition, but they widen your choice of tutor.
• Shared and small group sessions cut the price per student, often to between £10 and £25.
• Agency fees, travel and session length all change the total, so compare the full figure rather than the headline rate.

How much does private tuition cost in the UK?

The honest answer is that there is no official tariff. The cost of private tuition shifts with level, subject, region and the tutor’s background.

Two figures give you a sensible benchmark. The Times reported an average tutoring cost of £37.50 an hour in September 2025. Market rate surveys published through 2026 put the average cost between £35 and £42, depending on the stage of study. That is roughly what most families pay per hour in the UK.

Paid tutoring is no longer unusual. Sutton Trust polling published in 2026 found that 29% of secondary school students in England and Wales have had a tutor at some point, up from 18% twenty years ago.

Average tutoring rates per hour by level

The stage of study is the biggest single driver of price. These are the bands quoted across most of the country.

Primary school tutoring is the cheapest bracket, because the material is broad rather than specialised. What a tutor charges depends on the level more than any other single factor.

Specialist subjects come at a higher price. A-Level Maths, further maths and physics attract a premium because demand outstrips the number of people qualified to teach them. Rates depend on local supply as much as on demand.

Families preparing for entrance exams often begin a year ahead, which raises the total spend considerably.

What factors affect a tutor’s price?

Six things move what tutors charge.

Level and subject. Advanced and shortage subjects cost more, as the table above shows.

Qualifications and teaching experience. Qualified teachers with classroom experience generally charge more than graduate tutors.

Location. London and the Home Counties sit well above the national average. Rates can vary by 20% or more between neighbouring towns.

Format. Individual sessions cost more than shared or group work.

Travel time. A tutor coming to your home may build travel into their hourly rate or add a call-out fee.

Frequency. Many tutors discount block bookings, which lowers the overall cost across a term.

Online tuition vs in-person tuition: what is the price difference?

The gap is smaller than most people assume, and the evidence points both ways. One large 2026 provider survey put online rates slightly below face-to-face tuition. Another found the opposite, with online sessions running a few pounds higher in several subjects.

Treat the two formats as roughly comparable on price. Online tuition costs less to deliver, but an online tutor can work with students anywhere in the country and price accordingly.

The real saving is practical. There is no travel, no call-out fee and no wasted half hour in the car. Online learning also gives you access to a wider pool of tutors across the UK, rather than only the tutors in your area.

Types of tuition and what each format costs

Format changes the cost per session more than almost anything else.

One-to-one tuition gives the most tailored support, and it is the most expensive option per student. Group work spreads the fee across several families. The trade-off is less individual attention.

How much is a private tutor in London?

London commands the clearest premium in the country. Expect roughly £45 to £60 per hour in London for mainstream secondary school support, and more for admissions work.

Demand explains much of it. Sutton Trust polling found that 45% of London pupils have had a tutor, against 27% in the rest of England and 24% in Wales. The same research found 33% in urban areas compared with 19% in rural areas.

Where demand is thinner, prices are softer. Rates vary sharply once you leave the South East.

Do qualifications and teaching experience change tutor prices?

Yes, and the gap is sizeable. Tutor qualifications are the second biggest price lever after level.

Tutors who are university students or recent graduates sit at the bottom of the market. An experienced tutor with a strong track record charges considerably more. A qualified teacher with QTS will often quote from £40 per hour upwards, rising for shortage subjects.

Specialist tutors are a separate bracket again. Support for special educational needs, admissions tests or Oxbridge preparation can run well beyond the standard bands.

A higher fee does not automatically buy a better outcome. A good tutor is one who fits the student, communicates clearly and knows the specification.

“A private tutor will work alongside your child to set targets that are achievable and personalised to their way of working.” primarytimes.co.uk

Working out what you can afford?

Cambridge Online Tutors teaches across multiple subjects online, with every rate published upfront so you can compare before you book. Individual, paired and group options are all available.

Browse our tutors and see their rates.

Please note: tuition supports learning, but outcomes depend on many factors including student effort, prior attainment and performance on the day. We cannot guarantee specific grades.

Do tutoring agencies charge more than an independent tutor?

Usually, yes. Tutoring agencies typically add 15% to 25% to the tutor’s own fee, or take that share from it.

You get something for the difference. Agencies handle vetting and DBS checks, match you to a subject specialist and replace a tutor who is not working out. That matters if you are booking for the first time.

An independent tutor keeps the whole fee and can often quote more competitive rates. The trade-off is that the checks are yours to do.

What will tuition cost you over a term?

Weekly sessions add up quickly, so it helps to see the figure across a school year rather than a single booking.

Most families do not book for a full year. A common pattern is a block of eight to twelve sessions in the run-up to the mocks, then a second block before the summer papers.

Is tuition worth the cost?

The evidence base is encouraging but it is not a promise. The Education Endowment Foundation rates individual tuition as high impact, with pupils making around five months of additional progress on average.

Read the detail before you budget. That research covers tuition delivered in a school setting, and the effect is smaller at secondary level than primary. In maths specifically, the measured gain is considerably lower than in literacy.

Tuition works best when it is targeted. A tutor can personalise the work in a way that a class of thirty does not allow, and a weekly session that reviews practice questions, fixes a known weakness and helps build confidence tends to do more than open-ended general support.

Decide what support your child needs first, then set the budget. Matching the tutor to the problem does more for your child’s confidence than paying top rates.

How to make tutoring more affordable

Small adjustments make a real difference to the total.

• Book in blocks. Most tutors discount a committed run of sessions.
• Share with a friend at the same stage and split the fee.
• Move to fortnightly, with structured work in between.
• Ask about off-peak slots. Weekday afternoons are often cheaper than Saturday mornings.
• Focus on one subject and one weakness rather than spreading the budget thin.

Free options are worth exhausting first. Past papers, school revision sessions and departmental drop-ins cost nothing.

Conclusion

Budget £25 to £50 an hour for most private tuition in the UK, and treat the mid to high £30s as the realistic middle. Level, subject, location and format explain nearly all of the variation between quotes.

If you are looking for a tutor, ask what the price includes before you commit. Resources, marking between sessions and progress updates are worth more than a few pounds off the rate.

Ready to find a tutor?

Cambridge Online Tutors offers individual online lessons from £30 per hour, shared sessions at £15 per student and group work from £10 per student. Every tutor is DBS checked, and our tutor profiles show their background, experience and rates before you book. Discounts are available on block bookings.

Browse our tutors today and book your first session.

Disclaimer: while we work hard to match every student with the right tutor, we cannot guarantee specific results. Outcomes depend on individual effort, prior knowledge and circumstances outside our control. Prices are correct at the time of publication and may change.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a private tutor cost per hour?

Most charge £25 to £50, with an average in the mid to high £30s. Primary work sits lowest, and sixth form, degree-level and admissions support sits highest. London adds roughly 20% to 30%.

Is online tuition cheaper than face-to-face tuition?

Not reliably. Published rates for the two formats are close, and some surveys show online sitting slightly higher. The saving comes from removing travel and from a wider choice of tutor.

How much does a maths tutor cost?

A maths tutor typically charges in line with the general bands, so around £30 to £45 at GCSE and £35 to £55 at sixth form. Further maths and physics tend to command more, because fewer tutors can teach them.

Are tutoring agencies worth the extra cost?

That depends on how much of the work you want to do yourself. An agency handles vetting, matching and cover. If you already know a tutor and are confident in their background, booking directly is cheaper.

How much should I charge as a private tutor?

If you are setting a fee rather than paying one, benchmark against the bands above. New tutors typically start around £25 to £30. Teachers with QTS and subject specialists charge from £40 upwards. What you can charge as a private tutor depends on your subject, your level and demand where you live.

In conclusion, the cost of private tutoring in the UK can vary greatly depending on various factors. By considering these factors and researching potential tutors, you can find the right tutor to help you or your child achieve academic success.