Making Money as a Part Time Maths Tutor: A Case Study

Why tutoring suits students

Part time work and university life can be difficult to balance. Tutoring offers more flexibility than many part time jobs, allowing you to schedule sessions around your lectures rather than fitting your studies around shifts. That said, you still need to find times that work for your pupils, so it requires some coordination.

For students with strong subject knowledge, particularly in high demand areas like maths, tutoring can potentially pay above minimum wage. Rates vary depending on location, experience and the level being taught, but GCSE and A Level maths tutors often charge between £20 and £40 per hour. Those in London or the South East may charge more, though success varies by individual circumstances and local demand.

Beyond the money, tutoring can help reinforce your own understanding. Explaining a concept to someone else is one of the better ways to deepen your grasp of it. If you are studying a subject you plan to tutor, this may benefit your own coursework and exams.

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Getting started without formal qualifications

You do not need a teaching qualification to work as a private tutor in the UK, though having relevant qualifications or experience can strengthen your credibility with parents. What matters most is subject knowledge and the ability to explain things clearly. Being a current or recent student in the subject you want to teach often counts for a lot.

Many tutors start through personal connections. Family friends, neighbours, or contacts through your parents may have children preparing for GCSEs or A Levels. Word of mouth remains one of the most reliable ways to build up clients. If you do a good job, people tend to recommend you to others.

With a strong reputation, some students manage to secure multiple regular clients without ever placing an advert. Once you have a few pupils, the work can grow steadily.

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Finding clients and advertising

If personal contacts are limited, there are other routes. Online platforms such as Superprof, Tutorful and MyTutor connect tutors with students across the UK. These platforms handle some of the admin, including payments in some cases, though they typically take a percentage of your fee or charge a subscription.

Local options include community noticeboards, school newsletters if the school allows it, and social media groups for your area. Some tutors also list their services on Gumtree or similar classified sites.

When setting your rate, look at what other tutors in your area charge for similar subjects and levels. Starting slightly below the average can help you build experience and reviews, which you can then use to justify higher rates later.

Practical considerations

If your earnings from tutoring exceed £1,000 in a tax year, you will need to register as self employed with HMRC and complete a Self Assessment tax return. This threshold is known as the trading allowance. GOV.UK has guidance on registering and on when you need to pay tax and National Insurance.

Think about where sessions will take place. Some tutors visit pupils at home, which can mean travel time and costs. Others teach from their own home or use video calls. Online tutoring has become increasingly common since the pandemic and removes the need for travel, though it may not suit every subject or student.

Consider whether you want a DBS check. It is not a legal requirement for private tutors, but it is strongly recommended when working with minors. Many parents prefer to see one, and some platforms require it. You can apply through an umbrella body if you are not working for an organisation that can request one on your behalf. You might also consider public liability insurance, particularly if tutoring from your own home.

If you are tutoring for GCSEs or A Levels, staying up to date with the current curriculum is important to ensure your material remains relevant.

Tutoring will not suit everyone. It requires patience, reliability and the ability to adapt your explanations to different learners. But for students who enjoy their subject and communicate well, it can be one of the more rewarding ways to earn money while studying.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Student Funding Eligibility Checker lets you identifies which grants, loans, and support schemes a student or family may qualify for based on their circumstances. Try it now →