Getting Paid as a Tutor: A Complete UK Guide

Getting paid reliably is one of the biggest challenges tutors face. Whether you're teaching GCSE Maths, A-Level English, or primary school phonics, this guide covers everything you need to know about rates, payment methods, and handling the awkward topic of late payments.

What Are Tutors Charging in the UK?

According to Tutorful's pricing data (as of March 2025), the UK average tutoring rate is £37.45 per hour.

However, rates vary significantly by level and subject:

By Education Level

By Subject

Rates also vary by subject demand:

Online vs Face-to-Face

Online tutoring typically costs £3-8 less per hour than face-to-face sessions:

The lower online rate reflects eliminated travel time and costs for both tutor and student.

The Late Payment Problem

Late payments aren't just annoying—they're expensive.

According to a GoCardless/FSB survey published in March 2025:

• 52% of UK small businesses forfeit late payments up to 10 times per year because chasing them isn't worth the time
• 45% are experiencing more late payments than 12 months ago
• 24% receive payments that are up to 60 days late

For tutors charging £37/hour with 15 students, even one late payment per student per term represents over £500 in delayed income.

Payment Methods: Pros and Cons

Bank Transfer (BACS)

Pros:

• No fees
• Familiar to most clients
• Direct to your account

Cons:

• No automatic tracking—you must manually check your bank
• Easy for clients to "forget"
• Awkward to chase

Best for: Clients who pay reliably and on time

Cash

Pros:

• Immediate
• No fees

Cons:

• No paper trail (problematic for tax records)
• Have to be physically present to collect
• Easy to miscount or dispute

Best for: Very occasional one-off sessions only

Card Payments (via Payment Link)

Pros:

• Professional appearance
• Automatic tracking
• Clients can pay instantly from their phone
• Clear record for both parties

Cons:

• Processing fees (typically 1.5-3%)

Best for: Most tutoring businesses—the convenience and reliability outweigh the small fee

Direct Debit

Pros:

• Payment collected automatically
• Predictable cash flow
• No chasing required

Cons:

• Requires setup
• Monthly commitment may not suit all clients

Best for: Regular ongoing students with fixed schedules

Setting Clear Payment Terms

The best way to avoid late payments is preventing them. Set expectations upfront:

In Your First Session:

• Confirm your rate and session length
• Explain when payment is due (e.g., "within 7 days of each session" or "monthly on the 1st")
• Share how you accept payment (bank details, payment link, etc.)

In Writing: Include payment terms in your welcome email or booking confirmation:

"Sessions are £[rate] per hour. Payment is due within 7 days of each session via bank transfer or card. I'll send a reminder if payment hasn't been received."

This removes awkwardness later—you've both agreed to the terms.

How to Handle Late Payments Professionally

Even with clear terms, late payments happen. Here's how to handle them without damaging the relationship:

Day 1-3 after due date: Send a friendly reminder

"Hi [Name], hope [Student]'s doing well! Just a quick note that payment for last week's session is still outstanding. Let me know if you'd like me to resend the details."

Day 7-10: Follow up more directly

"Hi [Name], I wanted to check in about the outstanding payment for [date]. Would you be able to settle this in the next few days? Happy to discuss if there's an issue."

Day 14+: State consequences clearly

"Hi [Name], I'm following up on the outstanding balance of £[amount]. I'll need to receive payment before our next scheduled session. Please let me know how you'd like to proceed."

The key: stay professional, assume good intentions, but be clear about expectations.

Automating Payment Reminders

Manually tracking who's paid and sending reminders takes time you could spend teaching or preparing lessons.

Payment reminder tools can:

• Track which clients have paid and which haven't
• Send automatic reminders before and after payment is due
• Let clients pay via a professional payment link
• Give you a clear dashboard of your income

This removes the emotional burden of chasing payments while keeping your business running smoothly.

Tax Considerations for Tutors

As a self-employed tutor, you're responsible for your own taxes. Key points:

• Register as self-employed with HMRC if you earn over £1,000/year from tutoring
• Keep records of all income and allowable expenses
• Set aside money for tax—a common approach is 25-30% of your earnings
• File a Self Assessment tax return by 31 January each year

Note: Tax thresholds and rules change. Always check the HMRC website for current guidance.

Summary: Getting Paid as a Tutor

1. Set competitive rates based on your level, subject, and location (UK average: £37.45/hour as of March 2025)
2. Choose the right payment method for your business—card payments offer the best balance of convenience and tracking
3. Communicate payment terms clearly from the start
4. Follow up professionally on late payments—don't let awkwardness cost you money
5. Consider automation to handle reminders and tracking

Getting paid shouldn't be the hardest part of tutoring. With clear terms, professional systems, and the right tools, you can focus on what you do best: helping students succeed.

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Sources & Last Updated

This article was last updated on 21 January 2025. Rates and statistics are subject to change.