TUTORS · PAYMENT LINKS
Payment Links for Tutors - Complete UK Guide (2025)
The complete guide to how UK tutors get paid, including bank transfers, cash, invoices, platforms and modern payment links. Learn how to reduce cancellations, chase less, and build a simple payment system that works for solo tutors.
You finish a lesson. It went well. The student made progress. The parent says: "Can you just send your bank details and we will do it later?"
Later often turns into tomorrow. Then next week. Then a message you do not want to send because you are a tutor, not a debt collector.
Most UK tutors start with informal payments because it feels friendly and flexible. The problem is that flexibility quietly becomes uncertainty. Missed payments. last minute cancellations. hours spent checking bank transfers and scrolling through chats.
This guide shows you the full picture.
You will learn how tutors get paid today, which methods cause the most stress, and how to use payment links, deposits and reminders to build a simple payment system around your tutoring business.
It is written for solo tutors and small tutoring businesses in the UK, including academic tutors, music tutors, language tutors and specialist tutors. The aim is fewer awkward messages and more money arriving when it should.
How UK Tutors Get Paid Right Now
Most tutors in the UK use a mix of methods depending on the student, the format, and whether lessons are in person or online. You might recognise yourself in one or more of these.
1. Cash after the lesson
Cash can feel simple for in person lessons. The parent hands it over or the student pays on the day.
Pros
- Immediate payment when it happens
- No apps or setup needed
- Works well for some local regulars
Cons
- Not ideal for online lessons
- Easy for people to forget or not have cash
- Harder to track income and lesson history
2. Bank transfer after the lesson
Many tutors share bank details by WhatsApp and ask families to transfer after the session.
Pros
- Works for online and in person lessons
- Money goes straight into your account
- Familiar for most UK families
Cons
- Transfers are easy to delay
- References are often inconsistent and messy
- You do the admin and the chasing
3. Invoices for weekly or monthly billing
Some tutors invoice weekly or monthly, especially for regulars or small groups. This can work, but it often increases the time gap between teaching and getting paid.
If you invoice, you need a clean way to track who has paid, who has not, and what the invoice relates to. Otherwise it becomes a spreadsheet problem and a stress problem.
4. Tutoring platforms and marketplaces
Some tutors use marketplaces that handle bookings and payments. This can reduce admin, but you often trade that for platform fees, slower payouts, less control, and platform rules.
If you want your own repeat clients, a direct system usually gives more control and a smoother long term business.
5. Payment links (the tutor friendly option)
Payment links are secure online payment requests that you send directly to families on apps they already use.
The parent taps the link, pays by card or wallet, and you see the payment in one place. When you combine payment links with deposits and reminders, you get a system that protects your time without turning you into someone who is always chasing.
If you want a deeper breakdown of these methods with tutor specific examples, see How Tutors Get Paid in the UK .
Common Payment Situations Tutors Face
These situations are where a simple payment system makes the biggest difference.
The lesson is done, but payment is promised later
This is the classic tutoring situation. The teaching happened. Everyone is happy. Payment becomes an afterthought.
A clear payment link message straight after the session makes it easy to pay while the lesson is still front of mind. If you want the exact structure, see How Tutors Send Payment Links .
Last minute cancellations and reschedules
A student cancels because they are tired, a school event runs late, or the parent forgot. You are left with a gap you cannot fill.
Deposits and clear cancellation windows are what reduce this. We cover wording, timing and examples in Reduce Tutor Cancellations .
A regular family pays late every single week
They are nice people. They just pay late. You do not want the relationship to feel tense.
Automatic reminders solve this without drama. Set the sequence once. The system nudges politely and consistently. Learn the setup in Automatic Payment Reminders for Tutors .
Term time blocks, exam seasons, and holding prime slots
Tutors often hold the same weekly slot for months. That slot is valuable. A deposit and balance approach protects it without making you look harsh.
We break down block booking deposits in Deposit and Balance Payment Links for Tutors .
A Simple Payment System For UK Tutors
The goal is not to overcomplicate your tutoring. The goal is to make payment a routine that runs the same way every week.
Choose when you want to be paid
Start by deciding your default rule. Your system should match your teaching style and the type of students you work with. Common tutor options include:
- •Payment before each lesson for new students
- •Payment on the day for trusted long term students
- •Block booking deposit, then balance by a set date
If you want a deeper breakdown, see Tutor Pricing and Rates Guide .
Use deposits to protect blocks and prime slots
Deposits do not need to be huge. They just need to create commitment. For tutoring, deposits work especially well for:
- •Term time blocks of lessons
- •Prime after school slots and Saturdays
- •Home visit packages where travel time matters
Typical deposit approaches for UK tutors:
- •Twenty to thirty percent of a lesson block total
- •A fixed amount such as £20 to £50 to reserve a slot
For wording and timing, read How Tutors Can Request a Deposit Professionally .
Send a clear payment link every time
Treat payment links like part of your lesson routine. After the lesson, send the same short message. Families get used to it quickly.
Example message:
"Thanks for today. Here is the payment link for £45. You can pay by card in a few taps. If anything is off, just message me."
For more examples across WhatsApp, text and email, see How Tutors Send Payment Links .
Turn on automatic reminders for late payments
Late payments should chase themselves first, not you. A simple reminder sequence protects your evenings.
- •A gentle reminder after 1 to 2 days
- •A follow up after 5 to 7 days if still unpaid
- • A final boundary message before pausing future lessons
If you want the structure and wording, read Automatic Payment Reminders for Tutors .
Save templates so your messages stay consistent
Templates help you sound calm, consistent and professional, even when you feel awkward talking about money.
Useful tutor templates include:
- •New student booking confirmation and payment timing
- •Block booking deposit message
- •Payment link message after each lesson
- •Late payment follow up and boundary message
We share ready to use examples in Payment Reminder Templates for Tutors .
Tutor Pricing and Deposit Examples
Rates vary by subject, location, experience and format. A new tutor in a smaller town will often charge less than a specialist tutor in London. The key is having a price you can say clearly, then a system that makes getting paid easy.
- Many solo tutors fall around £25 to £60 per hour
- Specialist tutoring can be £60 to £120 plus per hour depending on demand
- Common lesson lengths include 30, 45, and 60 minutes, priced accordingly
Suggested deposit sizes for common tutor setups:
| Tutoring setup | Suggested deposit |
|---|---|
| First lesson for a new student | Full payment in advance or a small fixed deposit |
| Term time block booking | Around 20 to 30 percent of the block total |
| Prime weekly slot held long term | £20 to £50 to reserve, or block booking deposit |
| Home visit lessons with travel time | Advance payment or a deposit plus clear cancellation window |
For a deeper look at how to set rates, handle travel, and talk about price confidently, see Tutor Pricing and Rates Guide .
The Tutors Payment Links Guide Series
This page is the overview. Each guide below goes deeper into one part of the payment system, written specifically for UK tutors.
How Tutors Get Paid in the UK
Cash, transfers, invoices, platforms and payment links, with pros and cons for each.
How Tutors Can Request a Deposit Professionally
Wording, timing and examples for deposits that feel fair and calm.
Reduce Tutor Cancellations
Practical steps to reduce last minute cancellations and protect your lesson slots.
How Tutors Send Payment Links
Where to send links, what to say, and how to make it feel natural.
Automatic Payment Reminders for Tutors
A simple reminder sequence that reduces chasing without sounding rude.
Payment Reminder Templates for Tutors
Copy and paste templates for deposits, reminders, and boundaries.
Deposit and Balance Payment Links for Tutors
How to take a deposit up front, then collect the remaining balance smoothly.
How Tutors Can Chase Late Payments
A calm step by step approach that protects the relationship and your time.
Tutor Pricing and Rates Guide
How to set your rates, talk about price, and stay consistent.
Case Study: Tutor 1
A realistic example of a tutor building a calmer payment routine.
Case Study: Tutor 2
A second case study focused on deposits, reminders, and reducing cancellations.
The Big Wins For UK Tutors
A simple payment system built around payment links, deposits and reminders gives tutors:
- More reliable income
Payments arrive closer to lesson time, which helps you plan bills, reinvest, and feel stable.
- Fewer cancellations
Deposits and clear policies reduce casual cancellations, especially for prime slots.
- Less admin and chasing
Reminders run automatically. Templates keep your messages consistent. You stop retyping and stressing.
- A more professional image
Clear payment systems signal that you run a real business. Families trust clarity.
- Fewer awkward conversations
You teach. The system handles the nudges. When you do need to step in, you have a calm structure to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a website to use payment links as a tutor?
No. You create a payment link and send it by WhatsApp, text or email. The parent pays on a secure checkout page. You see payments clearly in one place.
Should tutors take payment before or after lessons?
Many tutors take payment in advance for new students, online lessons, and block bookings. For trusted long term students, payment on the day can work. The most important thing is picking a rule and sticking to it.
Are deposits normal for tutoring in the UK?
Yes, especially for term time blocks, prime slots, and home visits. A deposit protects your time and reduces last minute cancellations.
What if a parent ignores reminders and still does not pay?
A structured sequence helps. First reminders go automatically. If it is still unpaid, follow a calm boundary message and pause future lessons until the balance is cleared. See the step by step approach in the late payment guide.
Will payment links feel too formal for lessons?
Most families find payment links easier than bank transfers. They feel professional and straightforward, especially if your messages stay warm and your policy is clear.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
How Tutors Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK tutors accept payment for private and online lessons.
Read guideHow Tutors Can Request a Deposit Professionally
A professional UK guide for tutors on requesting deposits from parents and students.
Read guideHow Tutors Can Reduce Cancellations
A practical guide to reducing last-minute cancellations and no-shows as a UK tutor.
Read guideHow to Send Payment Links as a Tutor
A simple guide for UK tutors on how to send payment links by text, WhatsApp and email.
Read guideAutomatic Payment Reminders for Tutors
Learn how to automate payment chasing for tutoring sessions and lesson blocks.
Read guidePayment Reminder Templates for Tutors
Professional payment reminder templates for UK tutors and tutoring businesses.
Read guideDeposit and Balance Payments for Tutors
How tutors can take lesson deposits upfront and collect balances later.
Read guideHow Tutors Can Chase Late Payments
A practical guide for tutors on chasing unpaid lessons without awkward conversations.
Read guideTutor Pricing and Rates Guide
A practical pricing and rates guide for UK tutors.
Read guideTutor Case Study — Client A
A real-world case study showing how a UK tutor improved payment reliability.
Read guideTutor Case Study — Client B
A second case study showing improved payments for tutoring services.
Read guideCreate a Payment Link in Seconds
Learn how to create payment links manually and with Simply Link.
Read guideHow to Chase Late Payments Automatically
Automate payment reminders and reduce late payments.
Read guideGet Paid Faster Without Chasing After Lessons
If you are a UK tutor tired of late payments and last minute cancellations, a simple system makes the difference. Simply Link helps you send payment links in seconds, take deposits for lesson blocks, and automate reminders so you are not chasing in the evenings. Keep your tutoring friendly, while making payments clear and reliable.
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