Online exam prep classes
Run live online revision classes for small groups of pupils, with no premises to rent.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
41,442 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 85600 “Educational support services”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
Scheduled live group classes over video, with shared practice papers, recorded recaps and homework feedback, covering exam subjects you can teach well.
Your first three steps
- Pick a niche, such as GCSE maths or 11+ verbal reasoning, and outline a six-week course
- Set up video teaching software, a quiet space and a simple booking and payment system
- Run a low-cost pilot class with a handful of pupils and ask parents for feedback and reviews
Who pays
Parents and carers of pupils, and older students, who want exam help without travelling.
How it makes money
Monthly subscription or per-course fees per pupil, with intensive revision blocks before exam season.
Skills that help
- Subject knowledge to exam level
- Confident teaching on video
- Creating clear resources and practice papers
- Basic online marketing
Watch out for
- Enhanced DBS checks are not legally required for all private tutors, but many parents expect one, so consider getting one
- Safeguarding rules for online lessons, such as parents' consent and not recording without permission
- Data protection duties for pupils' details, and ICO registration, which you should check
- Copyright on past papers and teaching materials you use or share
- Competition from big online providers, so a clear niche matters
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online exam prep classes
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start online exam prep classes?
Startup costs are typically around £100 to £800, depending on your equipment, software and resources. These are estimates, so check what you already own before buying anything new.
How much can online exam prep classes earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on class sizes, how many groups you run and your pricing. A clear niche may help you stand out from larger online providers.
What rules should I check before teaching exam classes online?
Check whether to get an enhanced DBS check, as many parents expect one. Also check safeguarding for online lessons, such as parental consent and recording rules, data protection and ICO registration, and copyright on past papers and materials.
Other ways to run this business
Small local tuition centre
Rent a small unit or room and run small-group exam prep classes for local pupils after school and at weekends.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Home-based exam prep classes
Teach small groups of pupils in a spare room at home, focused on exam preparation in your strongest subject.
- £300-1.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
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