Tutoring is one of the most flexible, rewarding, and surprisingly sociable jobs you can take on while at university. During my English MA, I tutored extensively for PMT Education, and it became an essential part of my student life. It not only helped cover my living costs (especially important when my postgraduate student loan barely covered rent), but also gave me a welcome break from the solitary, often silent hours I spent in the library.

Below, I’ll share my experience and offer advice on how to become a tutor as a student, including what tutoring involves and why it might be one of the best decisions you make during your academic journey.

Can I become a tutor as a student?

Yes, absolutely. You don’t need to have years of classroom teaching experience to be a great tutor. Often, being close in age to your students is a huge advantage for creating a positive tutor-student relationship, and many of the parents I worked with told me they specifically liked that I wasn’t much older than their children. I’d recently sat the same exams the tutees were preparing for, so I could give personal, up-to-date advice, and I often had more in common with them than their school teachers did.

That relatability also made sessions more engaging. Students could ask me honest questions about what revision strategies worked, what exam day really felt like, and how to avoid common mistakes.

A university student working as a tutor is tutoring a secondary school student.

How to start tutoring as a student

There are several routes into tutoring, but I’d strongly recommend joining a reputable tutoring agency like PMT Education. Not only does this remove the need to advertise your services or find students yourself, but it also gives you access to a steady stream of potential clients, a supportive admin team, and a clear safeguarding process.

The application process usually involves:

  • Checking your qualifications – Most agencies want tutors with strong A Level results in the subjects they teach, and sometimes—as is the case with PMT Education—for tutors to either hold or be studying for a degree in a relevant subject.
  • Providing references – This reassures parents and the agency that you’re reliable and trustworthy.
  • Interview or trial lesson – A chance to demonstrate your communication style and subject knowledge.
  • Applying for an enhanced DBS check – Unless you already have one that was issued in the last two years.

Once you’re accepted, you can set your availability, choose the subjects and levels you’re comfortable teaching, and start taking on students.

Also, in your first few months as a tutor, I recommend setting your lesson prices quite low, as you’ll be more likely to get bookings and build up valuable hours of teaching experience. Once you’ve gained confidence and collected a few strong reviews, you can gradually raise your rates.

For more information about how to become a tutor with PMT Education, have a read of the Support and FAQs section of the website.

Is tutoring a good job for students?

For me, tutoring was more than just a way to earn money; it provided structure and human interaction in a period otherwise dominated by academic work. As a Master’s student, my days were often long, quiet, and self-directed in a library. On really intensive study days, tutoring sessions could be the first time I heard my own voice!

A university student reading a book in the library.

It also shifted my role from being the student to being the teacher. That change in perspective was surprisingly energising. I could take the skills I’d spent years developing and share them in a way that made a tangible difference to someone else’s confidence and grades.

The flexibility was another huge plus. I could fit tutoring around my lectures, seminars, and deadlines, adjusting my workload during exam season or when my dissertation demanded more attention. And unlike some part-time jobs, I wasn’t losing my evenings to late-night shifts. I could work during the day or in the early evening, then still have time for my own social life.

Also, if my studies suddenly got busy, I could increase my hourly rates, take on fewer students, and still maintain a good income. This is another reason PMT Education is such a great platform: you have flexibility to adjust your prices.

For guidance on setting your tutoring rates—including when and how to raise them—take a look at PMT Education’s article on how to set your rates as a tutor.

Top tips for tutoring as a student

1. Keep your sessions interactive

Students (especially younger ones) can lose focus quickly. I found that building in short, varied activities (past paper questions, discussion, quickfire quizzes) helped maintain engagement.

2. Be open about your own experiences

Telling students how you approached revision or overcame exam nerves can make your advice more relatable and memorable.

3. Manage your time carefully

Time management is crucial. It’s tempting to take on lots of students when demand is high, but make sure you leave enough time for your own academic work. Burnout helps no one.

4. Gradually increase prices

Get lots of hours and experience under your belt before you start charging more for sessions.

A male student who is a tutor is teaching an online lesson via laptop.

5. Understand self-employment basics

Running a tutoring business isn’t just about teaching—it also comes with responsibilities that keep things running smoothly. You’ll need to stay organised with admin tasks, such as recording your earnings and expenses, and make sure you understand how self-employment works for tutors in the UK, particularly when it comes to tax.

6. Set clear policies from the start

Professionalism is key. Being reliable, communicating clearly, and setting out fair policies—such as how you handle cancellations—will help you earn credibility and encourage families to stick with you long-term.

7. Know your safeguarding responsibilities

Safeguarding is another area you can’t overlook. Many trusted tutoring platforms, like PMT Education, expect their tutors to hold an enhanced DBS check and follow strict safeguarding standards. If you’re tutoring independently (instead of through a tutoring platform), you won’t be legally required to have a DBS check, but having one (along with a safeguarding policy of your own) is highly advisable—it reassures both students and parents.

Tutoring as a student was a brilliant part of my university experience. It gave me financial breathing space, broke up the isolation of academic work, and allowed me to develop skills I still use today, such as communication, adaptability, and the ability to explain complex ideas simply.

I eventually became a full-time teacher, and tutoring gave me the perfect way to test the waters and realise that this was the career I truly wanted to pursue.

For further guidance and helpful tips, check out the PMT Education Tutor Blog. It’s packed with articles on everything from supporting anxious students to optimising your tutor profile.

Poppy T. headshot.

Poppy T.

Poppy has an MA from the University of Bristol, where she studied Environmental Literature, following an undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Oxford. She has over four years of tutoring experience and has taught English Language and Literature in a London secondary school. Poppy tutors students of all ages in English and History, as well as providing guidance on university applications, including personal statements. She also has training as a CELTA teacher and can support EFL students.

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