In 2026, private GCSE tutors in the UK typically charge £20–£40 per hour, with a national average around £35–£38/hour. A-Level tutors charge more, typically £30–£55/hour, and London rates run noticeably higher across the board — often £45–£120/hour. FocusFirst Tutors’ 1-on-1 sessions start at £15–£18.75 per 50-minute lesson, below the typical national average, with sibling sharing included on larger plans.
Tutoring prices in the UK vary more than almost any other family expense, which makes it genuinely hard to know if a quote is fair. Here’s what the market actually looks like in 2026.
What Drives the Price of a GCSE Tutor
- Subject. Maths, Physics, and Chemistry tend to command the highest rates because qualified tutors in these subjects are in shorter supply relative to demand.
- Exam level. GCSE tutoring generally costs less than A-Level tutoring, which costs less than university-level or specialist tutoring.
- Tutor qualifications. A tutor with Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) or classroom experience typically charges more — often £35–£60+/hour — than a subject-knowledgeable graduate without formal teaching credentials.
- Location. This is one of the largest factors. London and the South East consistently sit well above the national average; regional cities in the North and Midlands tend to sit at or below it.
- In-person vs online. Online tutoring is usually 10–20% cheaper than in-person, since there’s no travel cost built into the rate — though this gap has narrowed in some data as demand for online tutors has grown.
Average UK Tutoring Rates in 2026
| Level | Typical Rate (per hour) |
|---|---|
| GCSE (general) | £20 – £40 |
| GCSE (experienced/qualified teacher) | £45 – £70 |
| A-Level | £30 – £55 |
| A-Level Maths/Further Maths (high demand) | £50 – £90+ |
| 11+ preparation | Averages around £41 |
| London rates (any level) | £45 – £120 |
National averages tend to cluster around £35–£38 per hour across most reputable pricing surveys, though the honest range is wide — anywhere from £20 to £70+ depending on the factors above.
Is Online Tutoring Actually Cheaper in the UK?
Usually, but the gap has narrowed. Most pricing data still shows online tutoring running below in-person rates once you account for the travel time a tutor would otherwise bill for, though the difference is often smaller than families expect — sometimes only a few pounds per hour rather than a dramatic discount.
Budgeting for GCSE Tutoring
For a typical GCSE support plan — one session per week for a full term (roughly 12 weeks) at £35/hour — most families should expect to budget £400–£500 per term. An intensive pre-mocks push (two sessions per week for 6–8 weeks) tends to land in a similar overall range, concentrated into a shorter period.
FocusFirst Tutors Pricing (For Comparison)
| Plan | Lessons/Month | Price per Lesson | Monthly Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Pack | 4 | £18.75 | £75 |
| Progress Pack | 8 | £17.00 | £136 |
| Excellence Pack | 12 | £15.00 | £180 |
Every plan includes 1-on-1, 50-minute sessions, sibling sharing on the 8- and 12-lesson packs, rollover credits on unused lessons, and no long-term contract — sitting below the UK national average even before accounting for the family-sharing savings. See the full online tutoring plans for current details.
What to Check Before Comparing Quotes
A low headline rate doesn’t always mean a lower real cost. Before comparing tutors on price alone, check:
- Contract length. Some agencies require a minimum term or charge a cancellation fee.
- DBS/background checks. A materially cheaper rate sometimes reflects a less rigorous vetting process — worth asking directly.
- Exam board specificity. A tutor unfamiliar with your child’s exact exam board (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC) may cost less but deliver less relevant support.
- What happens to missed lessons. Rollover credit vs. forfeited payment can meaningfully change your real cost over a term.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the average price of a GCSE tutor in the UK in 2026? A: Most GCSE tutors charge between £20 and £40 per hour, with a national average around £35–£38/hour. Experienced, qualified teachers often charge £45–£70/hour.
Q: Are online GCSE tutors cheaper than in-person tutors? A: Usually, yes, though the gap has narrowed in recent data. Online tutoring tends to run slightly below in-person rates since there’s no travel cost involved.
Q: Why is tutoring so much more expensive in London? A: Higher cost of living and stronger demand for tutors relative to supply push London and South East rates well above the national average — often £45–£120/hour compared to the £20–£40 typical elsewhere.
Q: Is A-Level tutoring more expensive than GCSE tutoring? A: Yes, generally. A-Level tutoring typically runs £30–£55/hour, and subjects like A-Level Maths and Further Maths can exceed £90/hour due to high demand and limited specialist supply.
Want tutoring priced clearly, with no hidden contract terms? Book a free diagnostic session and see exactly what’s included at every price point. Explore our UK curriculum support or GCSE and A-Level exam prep.