What are typical hourly rates for private maths tutors in the UK by level (GCSE, A‑level, STEP) in 2025–26?

1. GCSE: the mainstream market and typical price band

GCSE maths tuition sits at the lower end of the market, with many families reporting hourly rates between about £18 and £30 for basic GCSE support — especially from student tutors or online providers — while more experienced tutors or in‑person sessions in expensive areas push common prices toward £30–£40 per hour ^{[1] [5] [6]}. Platform and regional averages confirm this lower base: national averages for core maths tutoring have been reported around the high £20s to mid‑£30s per hour, reflecting a large volume of less specialist lessons and online options that reduce cost ^{[7] [5]}.

2. A‑level: specialist teaching moves prices up

A‑level maths tuition typically commands higher fees than GCSE because of the deeper subject knowledge and exam technique required, with a practical market range of roughly £30–£60 per hour and many tutors in London and the South East charging at the top of that range ^{[2] [8]}. Industry guides and agency data place average maths tutoring closer to the mid‑£30s per hour nationally, but emphasise that experienced tutors, those with QTS or targeted exam‑prep specialists, can justify significantly higher rates ^{[5] [9]}.

3. STEP and further‑maths: premium, niche pricing

STEP, Further Maths and other specialist exam coaching sit squarely in the premium bracket: the market shows specialist/advanced tutoring ranging from about £60 an hour up to £120+ for highly experienced coaches or agency‑supplied tutors, particularly when preparation is bespoke or delivered by ex‑Oxbridge tutors or private firms advertising strong track records ^{[3] [4]}. Several providers and sector surveys flag university‑level or admissions‑oriented tuition as the most expensive segment — sometimes described as “specialist” rates that can rise above typical A‑level pricing ^{[3] [4]}.

4. Why prices vary — location, format and credentials

Location is a major driver: urban and South‑East markets (notably London) tend to show the highest hourly rates while northern cities and online-only tutors are cheaper, a pattern reflected in multiple regional surveys and platform pricing breakdowns ^{[10] [3]}. The lesson format matters too — in‑person tuition commonly includes travel charges and therefore costs more than online sessions, and tutors with formal teaching qualifications, advanced degrees or long proven track records commonly charge a premium ^{[6] [9] [11]}.

5. Reading the data: competing narratives and commercial incentives

The figures reported by tutoring platforms and agencies diverge because of differing samples and motives: marketplace sites and agencies often publish higher averages that reflect their pool of vetted, professional tutors or premium service offerings, while broader guides capture many lower‑cost, student or online tutors ^{[5] [4] [2]}. No central regulator publishes a single definitive 2025–26 rate, so reported “averages” should be read as reflective of the publisher’s audience and business model rather than as a universal fixed price ^{[5] [3]}.

6. Practical takeaway and limits of reporting

For budgeting, expect GCSE tuition to start in the low‑£20s per hour for common online or student tutors and rise to £30–40 for experienced, in‑person tutors; expect A‑level to start around the low £30s and commonly sit in the mid‑£30s to £50s; and treat STEP or specialist coaching as a premium purchase commonly priced from ~£60 up to £120 per hour depending on tutor pedigree and provider ^{[1] [5] [4] [3]}. Reporting limitations: the available sources are platform and agency data rather than a sector‑wide census, so precise medians for 2025–26 cannot be guaranteed from these items alone ^{[5] [3]}.