Online school subject tutor

Teach GCSE, A-level or primary subjects one-to-one over video, with pupils from anywhere in the UK.

Startup cost£50 to £600

Monthly revenue£300 to £2k

Time needed4+ h/week

First incomeWeeks

£50-600
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

One-to-one or small group lessons over video call in a subject you know well, such as maths, English, sciences or exam preparation.

Your first three steps

Pick your subjects and age groups, then check what local and online tutors charge
Set up a quiet space, a good webcam and a free online whiteboard tool
List yourself on a tutor directory and ask friends and local parent groups for a first few pupils

Who pays

Parents of school-age children, and older students such as sixth formers paying for themselves.

How it makes money

Hourly rate per lesson, often booked weekly in a block. Small groups can bring in more per hour.

Skills that help

Strong knowledge of your subject and the UK curriculum
Patience and clear explanation
Comfortable with video calls and online whiteboards

Watch out for

Parents often ask for an enhanced DBS check when you teach children; check how to get one as a self-employed tutor
Public liability insurance is worth considering; check what cover suits online work
Register as a sole trader with HMRC once you start earning
Safeguarding: keep lessons on a reliable platform and consider having a parent nearby for younger pupils
Demand peaks around exam seasons, so income can vary through the year

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: online school subject tutor

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

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to become an online tutor in the UK?

Startup costs are typically around £50 to £600, depending on your equipment, software and any insurance or checks you take on. These are estimates, so start with what you already have and add costs as you grow.

How much can an online tutor earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,000, depending on how many hours you teach and what you charge. Demand peaks around exam seasons, so income can vary through the year. Treat these figures as estimates.

What should I check before tutoring children online?

Check how to get an enhanced DBS check as a self-employed tutor, as parents often ask for one. Also check suitable public liability cover, registering as a sole trader with HMRC, and safeguarding such as a reliable platform and a parent nearby for younger pupils.