A tutor sits with a student at a rustic kitchen table covered in notebooks and textbooks in a bright, homey workspace.

Private Tutor

Teach school subjects, exam prep or specialist skills 1-to-1, in person or online.

This UK private tutor career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.

Quick facts

Starting salary
£20,000 - £35,000
Mid-career salary
£35,000 - £55,000
Senior salary
£55,000 - £100,000+ (premium / 11+ / Oxbridge specialists)
Work environment
Online, students' homes, libraries, your home
Time to entry
Immediate
Degree required
Not legally required - degree in subject helps; QTS for school-aged
Category
Self-Employed and Business Owner

What a Private Tutor does

Teach school subjects, exam prep or specialist skills 1-to-1, in person or online.

  • 11+ / Grammar School Prep - High-demand niche - parents pay £40-80/hour for proven results.
  • GCSE / A-Level Specialist - Focus on one or two subjects you know inside out - referrals compound.
  • Online English Tutor (TEFL) - Teach English online to students in Asia, Europe, Latin America via global platforms.

How to become a Private Tutor

  1. Decide who your first 5 paying clients will realistically be (be specific - "dog owners in [your town]" not "everyone").
  2. Register as self-employed with HMRC and get your UTR. Set up a separate bank account.
  3. Get the kit, insurance, and any qualifications/licences you actually need to start - no more.
  4. Build the simplest version of your offer (one-page site or Insta + price list) and put it in front of those 5 people.
  5. Land your first paying job, deliver well, and ask for a review or referral. Repeat.

Key skills

  • Subject mastery
  • Patience
  • Lesson planning
  • Tracking student progress
  • Parent communication