Learn how to become a private tutor

Becoming a private tutor can be a flexible way to earn money by sharing your knowledge with others. You don't always need formal teaching experience either, but you do need strong subject knowledge, clear communication skills and a plan for finding students.

What is a private tutor?

A private tutor is someone who teaches students outside the traditional classroom setting.

When you freelance as a private tutor, you can select the students you wish to teach, take pride in their accomplishments and establish your own schedule and pricing.

Private tutors tend to work one-to-one or in small groups, providing personalised instruction that’s tailored to the student's needs. This could be in an academic subject, like maths or French, or a more practical course of study, such as music or art. Private tutors assist pupils of all ages, from KS1 to university graduates.

What skills do you need to be a private tutor?

Essential skills for private tutors include:

• Effective communication

• Patience

• Adaptability

• The ability to motivate and inspire students

You should also be organised, punctual and able to provide constructive feedback to help students improve.

What qualifications do you need to be a private tutor?

While formal qualifications aren't mandatory to become a freelance tutor, clients tend to scrutinise tutors’ academic achievements and work experience when choosing who to hire.

Possessing teaching experience and a high-level qualification in the subject you intend to teach will make you a more appealing prospect. 

Nonetheless, what is truly essential is a solid grasp of the material you're teaching and the ability to relate and adapt to your students’ needs. If you can demonstrate proficiency and experience in these areas, there’s no reason you can’t succeed.

Do you need a DBS certificate to be a private tutor?

A disclosure and barring service (DBS) certificate helps ensure the safety and well-being of students by allowing clients to verify a tutor's criminal record.

Although there is no legal requirement for self-employed tutors to have a DBS certificate, holding one can help reassure prospective clients, especially parents. Individuals can apply for a Basic DBS check on the GOV.UK website. It costs £21.50 and takes around 14 days to process.

Is being a private tutor a hard job?

Being a private tutor can pose challenges, yet it's also immensely rewarding. The students you meet in this capacity might struggle to grasp a specific subject or with learning overall, necessitating empathy and creativity to cater to each student's learning style.

Private tutors also need to be flexible about the hours they work. Most clients prefer scheduling lessons for late afternoon, early evenings and weekends. The run-up to exam season is also a busy time as the frequency of regular lessons increases.

On the other hand, private tutors’ workloads tend to drop during the school holidays, so it's essential to manage your income carefully. 

Can you be a private tutor as a side hustle?

Yes, many people choose to tutor as a side hustle while maintaining full-time jobs or pursuing their studies. You can usually arrange tutoring assignments around your existing commitments, allowing you to earn extra income in your spare time.

💡 Editor insight: The UK side hustle boom (and why tax planning matters)

What does a private tutor do on a daily basis?

As a private tutor, your daily tasks include:

• Preparing lesson plans

• Conducting tutoring sessions

• Assessing student progress

• Providing feedback

You'll also spend time communicating with students and their parents to address any concerns or questions they may have. 

What's the day-to-day impact?

Private tutors who offer face-to-face lessons at their clients’ homes also spend some time travelling between appointments, while those who teach on their own premises must allocate time for cleaning and organising their learning space. Face-to-face tutors also need to regularly replenish their supplies of books and other materials. 

Things may be somewhat simpler for online tutors, although they face their own set of challenges. For instance, they must invest time to ensure the reliability of their technological solutions and provide support for clients who may not be familiar with the tools they use.

Regardless of the tutoring method you choose, keeping up to date with modern teaching methods and the national curriculum (if tutoring academic subjects) is essential and requires a certain investment of time.

Setting up in business as a freelance private tutor

In addition to their day-to-day teaching work, private tutors need to register as self-employed with HRMC and take on the running of a business.

You can establish yourself as a sole trader or limited company or maintain your full-time job while engaging in private tutoring as a side hustle.

In either scenario, there are certain business basics to consider once you embark on a career as a freelance tutor:

How do you find clients as a private tutor?

Private tutors have various options for finding clients.

You can start by spreading the word to friends, family, and neighbours. Creating flyers or business cards to distribute in your community can also generate interest among potential clients. Additionally, online platforms like tutoring websites or social media can connect you with students seeking your expertise. 

Word-of-mouth recommendations are extremely valuable in this profession, so it’s worth instigating a referral scheme once you have a few clients on board. For instance, you could offer a 10% discount to individuals who refer new paying customers. Reduced rates for clients open to small group sessions can also win new business.

Is there much demand?

Yes, the demand for private tutors is already high and is continuing to grow.

A survey conducted by the educational charity Sutton Trust in February 2026 revealed that 29% of 11–16-year-olds in the UK have used private tutoring at some point, a notable increase from the pre-pandemic figure of 27%. The figure is even higher in London, where 45% of secondary school pupils have had private lessons. 

How much should you charge when starting out as a private tutor?

Setting your tutoring rates depends on factors such as location, experience, and the subject you're teaching.

It’s essential to research the going rates in your area and consider starting at a competitive but reasonable price to attract clients. The average private tutor freelance rate is around £24 per hour for face-to-face teaching. 

Online tutors working for an agency may earn less initially. For example, MyTutor offers between £11.88 and £28 for a 60-minute lesson, depending on how many assignments tutors complete and their teaching level. 

How do you get paid as a private tutor?

Payment methods can vary. Some private tutors request payment for a course of lessons in advance. This lessens the tutor's risk but can be unattractive for clients.

Another option is to request payment at the end of each session. This may be better for the client but entails more work for the tutor, who has to chase and process the payments. 

Depending on individual clients' preferences, you can ask for payments by bank transfer or use a card payment system.