Do you need a license to be a tutor in the UK?

However, there are a number of best practices that most agencies follow. If you work with children, you will also need to consider existing safeguards and background checks that may apply in your county. There are no standard qualifications for private tutors in the UK, so anyone who has good knowledge in a specialized subject can become a tutor. Private tutoring is also not limited to just teaching school-age children, there are many tutors who specialize in teaching music, arts, business, marketing, computer coding and professional services, such as Spires online quantitative methods tutors.However, there are a number of best practices that most agencies follow. If you work with children, you will also need to consider existing safeguards and background checks that may apply in your county. There are no standard qualifications for private tutors in the UK, so anyone who has good knowledge in a specialized subject can become a tutor. Private tutoring is also not limited to just teaching school-age children, there are many tutors who specialize in teaching music, arts, business, marketing, computer coding and professional services, such as Spires online quantitative methods tutors.

In the UK, there are no standard qualifications you need to be a tutor. For example, there is no need to have teaching experience or teaching qualification. However, you should have a wealth of knowledge in the subject area you plan to teach; ideally you should be a graduate in the area. Ultimately, it's up to the student's parents or caregivers if they think you're qualified enough.

Most tutors are self-employed and have their own tutoring businesses. However, they may also work for private tutoring agencies, educational providers, charities, community interest companies, local authorities, or organizations that offer specific tutoring services. The so-called “DBS Enhanced Certificate (Disclosure & Barring Service)” demonstrates that there is no known reason why a person cannot work with children. Not a legal requirement for guardianship, although many guardians prefer to have a DBS certificate to show parents or caregivers.

You can read more here about DBS certificates for freelancers. While not required, other qualifications, particularly teaching qualifications such as B, Ed, SEN or TEFL, make tutors more attractive to prospective students. We will also ask you to send us copies of 2 or 3 forms of personal identification. There are many possible identification options and the best tips to get the most out of that photo.

We'll explain the whole process to you in our step-by-step guide (link to the bottom section). To obtain a DBS certificate, you must apply through an external organization, such as an employer, a recruitment service, a tutoring agency or a similar general body. By working with Tutorful, you will receive many inquiries from students, and your success will be based on being able to turn these queries into. Generally speaking, private tutors are likely to be seen as valuable in the eyes of a student or parent if they have first-hand experience in the subject they are teaching.

Outside schools, those that teach more specialized subjects such as online marketing, web development, html coding, etc. If you intend to give part-time private lessons along with other commitments, doing it online may be easier if you have time constraints. Similarly, if you're a university-level biology tutor, you may also feel able to teach chemistry at the A-level, but you might feel uncomfortable trying to teach chemistry at the grade level. For example, if a tutor wants to teach A-level math classes, he or she will need a degree in mathematics.

You will have to take responsibility for your own professional development throughout your career as a tutor. Joining a professional body can help current and future tutors improve their skills and overall career. It is also possible to get a job as a tutor in a school that works with small groups of students. There's no doubt about the benefits of becoming a private tutor, so the next step is to find out if private tutoring is something that works for you.

It is not a legal requirement to have insurance as a home guardian in the UK, but it is common practice for most guardians to have insurance. Alternatively, they can choose to work for a tutoring agency and make several contracts or be self-employed and have their own business. The essential precautions when giving private lessons to children include the parent or caregiver being present in the same room or in an adjoining room with the door open. .

Professor Daniel Keaton
Professor Daniel Keaton

Archetype:The Scholarly Mentor–CoachA steady, intellectually grounded guide who blends the authority of academia with the practical wisdom of a seasoned tutor. Daniel embodies credibility, calm structure, and motivational clarity—ideal for students, parents, and tutors navigating the demands of A-level study.Background:Professor Daniel Keaton spent a decade as an A-level subject lead (Maths & Physics) before moving into higher education as a lecturer in Pedagogy and Assessment. For the past 12 years, he has specialised in:• A-level teaching & exam methodology• academic mentoring for high-achieving and struggling students• tutor training, first-session frameworks, and pedagogical design• online tutoring practice, digital tools & remote learning psychology• supporting families in making informed tutoring decisions• tutor career development—earning potential, business setup, market demandDaniel writes with a voice that is measured, confident, structured, and deeply student-centred. His explanations demystify both the academic journey and the tutoring profession.Tone Signature:Authoritative yet warm, academically grounded, practical, mentoring-focused.

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