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An Overview of the Private Tutoring Industry in the UK
An overview of the private tutoring marketplace in the UK, updated for 2015.
Editors Note: This post was originally published in May 2013 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of 02/06/2015. For more insights into the UK tutoring industry, or for media enquiries, contact jamiethomson@thetutorwebsite.co.uk.
In the last decade, the private tutoring marketplace has grown to an estimated worth of £6 billion in the UK alone. With 1 in 4 school children in the UK (increasing to 40% in London) using private tutors, the industry looks set to continue on an upward trajectory long into the next decade as well.
In 2013, Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA) predicted that the global tutoring market would surpass $102.8 billion by 2018 and this prediction is becoming increasingly more accurate as new tutoring companies, particularly in the online learning sphere are being established worldwide every day.
In the UK, we've seen the demand for private tutoring increase so much that some tutoring agencies are reporting a 42% growth in business in the last year and one online tuition platform has suggested their business has grown by a colossal 500% within the last 12 months.
According to a 2012 survey carried out by First Tutors, the average agency tutor in the UK charges £22 per hour, with prices increasing among freelance tutors, particular those in London, who often charge in excess of £100 per hour.
In terms of subjects, a study conducted by the Sutton Trust found that students are most likely to receive tuition in Maths (77%), followed by English (55%) and science (30%) and figures elsewhere suggest that around 27% of kids use private tutors during school holiday periods.
Recent developments in the industry include the formation of the Tutor’s Association, who aim to professionalise the industry by encouraging tutoring organisations to sign up to a code of standards. The industry has also seen the formation of the National Tutoring Conference, who hold regular events in London over a range of topics relevant to today’s industry.
In 2014, The Tutor Website created an infographic to provide an overview of the tutoring industry in the UK.
Related posts:
How to Start a Private Tutoring Business
Image credit - https://www.flickr.com/photos/departmentofed/9605581943/
