TUTORS · PAYMENT LINKS
Tutor Pricing and Rates Guide (UK)
A clear, practical UK guide to setting fair tutoring prices, choosing hourly or lesson rates and using deposits and payment links so your income feels stable, not stressful.
One of the most stressful parts of being a tutor is deciding what to charge. You want to be fair, you do not want to price out good families, but you also cannot afford to undercharge and quietly resent every lesson. When your prices are guessed or inconsistent, your income feels shaky and your confidence drops.
The good news is that tutor pricing does not need to be a mystery. With a simple structure for hourly rates, per lesson prices, block bookings and clear payment timing, you can build a pricing system that feels fair to families and sustainable for you. That system then feeds directly into how you send payment links, take deposits for blocks and handle late payments calmly.
This guide walks you through how UK tutors typically set prices, realistic ranges for common tutoring situations and a step by step process you can use to set or update your own rates. It is part of the Tutors Payment Links series and works best alongside the other guides on how tutors get paid, deposits and reducing cancellations.
Part of the Tutors Payment Links Guide Series
For the full picture of how your prices connect with deposits, reminders and payment links, start with the main pillar guide: Payment Links for Tutors: Complete UK Guide .
How UK Tutors Typically Charge for Lessons
Most UK tutors use a mix of hourly rates, per lesson pricing and block booking discounts. The key is to understand the common models, then choose the ones that match your subject, experience, location and the kind of students you want to attract.
Common tutoring pricing models
- Hourly rate – the most common, especially for weekly sessions.
- Per lesson price – a fixed amount for 60 minutes or 90 minutes, often easier for parents to budget.
- Block booking – for example 5 or 10 lessons paid upfront, sometimes with a small discount.
- Exam prep package – a priced package for a set number of hours plus resources and planning.
- Add ons – marking, feedback reports, extra homework review, or intensive revision sessions.
Typical UK ranges (rough guide, not rules)
- Many independent tutors charge somewhere around £25 to £45 per hour for primary and lower secondary, depending on experience and location.
- GCSE tutoring commonly sits around £30 to £60 per hour depending on subject and results track record.
- A level tutoring often ranges from £40 to £80 per hour for experienced tutors and higher demand subjects.
- Intensive exam revision sessions (longer slots) may be priced higher per hour because they include more planning and pressure.
Comparing the main pricing options
| Model | Best for | Pros | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate | Weekly sessions where routine and consistency matters. | Simple. Familiar to parents. Easy to adjust as you gain experience. | Parents may ask what is included outside the hour. It helps to define boundaries and payment timing, and tie it into how tutors get paid . |
| Per lesson | Parents who want predictable budgeting, and tutors who offer standard 60 minute or 90 minute slots. | Predictable. Easier to quote quickly. Works well with payment links. | You still need a clear cancellation policy and boundaries so the work stays within scope. |
| Block booking | Students committed to consistent progress, especially GCSE and A level. | Protects your diary and cashflow. Less admin each week. Helps commitment. | You need clear rules for reschedules and cancellations. Many tutors use deposits or partial upfront payment, explained in deposit and balance payments for tutors . |
| Exam prep package | Intensive revision where outcomes and planning are higher stakes. | Lets you price for planning, resources and urgency. Feels clearer for parents. | Define what is included so you do not drift into endless marking and messaging. Payment links plus reminder structure helps keep it clean. |
There is no single correct way to price tutoring. The goal is to pick a simple structure and stick to it, so families know what to expect and you know you are being paid properly for your time and expertise.
Real Pricing Situations UK Tutors Deal With
Pricing looks neat on paper, but real life tutoring can be messy. These examples show how UK tutors handle tricky pricing moments and how clear prices plus payment links keep things calm and fair.
A parent asks for a cheaper hourly rate for weekly sessions
A new parent wants weekly tutoring but suggests a rate that is well below your normal price. You want to help, but you also know that if you say yes, you will feel underpaid and frustrated every week.
Many tutors handle this by setting a clear standard rate and sticking to it. They explain that the rate includes lesson planning, preparation and structured feedback. They then make payment simple and routine using payment links for tutors so the admin is not added pressure.
If the parent agrees, you start the relationship with mutual respect. If they do not, you avoid a long term situation that burns you out.
GCSE tutoring turns into extra marking and messaging
You agreed a weekly lesson rate, but the family starts sending extra work to mark, asks for quick calls, and expects support between sessions. This is common and usually comes from unclear boundaries rather than bad intent.
A professional approach is to define what is included in your lesson price and offer add ons as optional extras. You can keep it simple with a small menu such as marking fees or feedback reports, and include them in a payment link when requested.
Clear scope plus clear payment prevents resentment and keeps the relationship positive.
A long term student where you have not raised prices in years
You have a lovely student and the family has been with you a long time. You started on a lower rate to build momentum and never increased it. Now your skill has improved and your costs have risen, but your price has stayed the same.
Many tutors review pricing once a year and send a short, respectful message explaining a small increase. This is easiest when you already have your rates written down and a simple way to collect payment using payment links and automatic reminders .
Most reasonable families understand, especially with notice and a calm explanation.
A Simple 5 Step System for Tutor Pricing
You do not need a complicated spreadsheet. This five step system helps you set fair rates, write them down clearly and connect them to payment links so families know exactly what is due and when.
Work out your target hourly income
Start with what you need to earn per hour after expenses. Include travel (if in person), planning time, admin, and any platform fees. Pick a figure that reflects your experience, your subject and your local market, not the lowest number you think someone will accept.
Decide what your lesson price includes
Define what is included inside your standard lesson price. For example, lesson planning, resources used during the session, and a short summary message. Then decide what is not included, such as extensive marking or long WhatsApp support, so scope stays fair for both sides.
Translate your hourly rate into lesson and block prices
Convert your hourly target into a simple set of options such as 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and a 5 lesson or 10 lesson block. If you offer a block discount, keep it small so you do not undercut yourself. The aim is commitment and simplicity, not racing to the bottom.
Decide where deposits and upfront payments fit
For higher value blocks or exam prep packages, decide whether you want full payment upfront or a deposit and balance. Many tutors use deposits for block bookings to secure commitment and reduce cancellations. Connect this to the system in Deposit and Balance Payments for Tutors so your pricing and payment timing work together.
Connect your prices to payment links and reminders
Once your pricing is clear, build it into your booking messages, payment links and reminders. Each quote should lead smoothly to a payment link for the agreed amount. If payment is late, reminders can follow up automatically instead of you chasing manually.
When your pricing system is written down and connected to payment links, it stops being something you negotiate emotionally each time. It becomes part of how your tutoring business runs.
Sample Pricing Structures and Message Templates
These examples are not rules. They give you a starting point you can adjust for your subject, experience, location and the type of families you work with.
Example pricing structure for an independent UK tutor
| Service | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard hourly rate | £30 – £60 per hour | Varies by subject, level, results, and whether you are in a high cost area. Online can be slightly lower, in person can be higher with travel. |
| 60 minute lesson | £30 – £70 | Many tutors keep this as one fixed figure so parents know what to expect each week. |
| 90 minute lesson | £45 – £100 | Often used for exam prep and longer focus sessions. Avoid discounting too heavily because planning load is higher. |
| 5 lesson block | £150 – £350 | Some tutors offer a small discount to encourage commitment. Deposits can secure the booking and reduce cancellations. |
| Exam prep package | £250 – £900+ | Packages vary widely. Define what is included to avoid endless extra support. |
These figures are examples only. Always check local demand, your experience level and how many paid hours you can realistically deliver each week.
Template 1: Quoting weekly tutoring
Payment is due [in advance / on the day] and I will send a payment link for each session so you can pay quickly by card. If you would like to go ahead, I can offer [day and time] as a regular slot.
Template 2: Block booking with deposit and balance
The remaining balance of [£Balance Amount] is due by [Date] and I will send a separate payment link for that. This keeps everything clear and avoids payment drift during the block.
Template 3: Letting a long term family know about a price increase
Everything else stays the same, including payment through the link after each session. Thank you for your understanding.
Template 4: Explaining what is included and avoiding scope creep
This keeps everything clear and fair so you always know what is included and what the total will be.
You can adapt these templates to your tone and save them as message snippets. Combining them with payment links and, where needed, automatic reminders turns your pricing into a simple system that runs the same way every time.
What Happens When Your Rates and Payment Links Work Together
Tutor pricing is not just about numbers. It is about how your business feels. When your rates, payment timing and reminders line up, these are the results many tutors start to see.
Financial wins
- More predictable income because each session has clear pricing and a clear payment point.
- Less payment drift during blocks because deposits and balances are defined upfront.
- Fewer unpaid extras because add ons are priced and agreed rather than done quietly for free.
Emotional and practical wins
- Less awkwardness talking about money because your rates are consistent and written down.
- Fewer late payment conversations, especially when you also use a clear system for chasing late payments .
- More confidence setting boundaries because you know exactly what your time is worth.
When families see that your rates, policies and payment process all match, they tend to treat tutoring as a serious professional service rather than something casual they can shift around last minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my tutoring rates are too low?
Calculate your true hourly income after planning time, admin, travel (if applicable) and gaps in your schedule. If your effective rate feels close to minimum wage or you feel resentful after sessions, it is usually a sign your rates need adjusting.
Should tutors charge per hour or per lesson in the UK?
Both can work. Hourly pricing is familiar and flexible. Per lesson pricing is easier for families to budget and can feel more predictable. Many tutors use a base hourly rate and convert it into a standard 60 minute lesson price.
How often should I review my tutor rates?
Many tutors review pricing once a year, often before the new academic year or in spring. Smaller regular increases tend to feel more manageable for families than a large jump after years of no changes.
Do tutors need different prices for online and in person tutoring?
Some do. In person sessions often include travel and may be priced higher. Online can reduce travel but still includes planning time. The key is to keep your pricing simple and consistent so it is easy to explain.
How do payment links fit into my tutoring pricing?
Payment links let you match a specific agreed price to a quick checkout, without sharing bank details every time. For blocks, you can use separate links for deposits and balances. When combined with reminders, it reduces late payments and admin.
What if families compare my tutoring rates with cheaper tutors?
Some tutors will always charge less. Focus on explaining what is included, how structured your sessions are, and the progress you help students make. Clear rates and a professional payment process often attract families who value reliability and results.
Related Guides
Continue learning with these related guides:
Payment Links for Tutors — Complete UK Guide
The complete UK guide to payment links for tutors. Learn how to take deposits, reduce cancellations, and get paid on time by parents and students.
Read guideHow Tutors Get Paid — UK Methods Explained
A breakdown of the common ways UK tutors accept payment for private and online lessons.
Read guideTurn Clear Rates into Predictable, On Time Payments
When your prices are clear and families know exactly what they owe, the next step is making it easy to pay. Simply Link lets you turn your agreed rates into simple payment links with optional deposits, balances and automatic reminders. Instead of chasing payments and checking transfers, you can let the system handle the admin while you focus on teaching.
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