1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Online tutor

Online tutor

Alternative titles for this job include E-tutor, e-learning tutor

Online tutors support students who are studying courses over the internet.

Average salary (a year)

Variable

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 variable

You could work

evenings / weekends flexibly

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become Online tutor

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
  • private training

University

You may need a degree in a specialist subject depending on the level of course you plan to teach online. For example, a degree in maths to teach A level maths.

You might also need to get qualified teacher status (QTS) if you're teaching academic qualifications. Some degrees include this.

If you have a degree in a subject without QTS, you can get it by completing one of the following:

  • a postgraduate teacher training course at university
  • a school-based training programme

You can search for teacher training courses on GOV UK.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

College

You could do a college course like the Level 3 Award in Education and Training to get some of the skills needed for this job. This is suitable if you're not yet in a teaching role or have limited teaching hours.

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Work

You can usually take qualifications while you work. The exact qualification you do will depend on your job but could include the Level 4 Certificate or Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.

Direct Application

You can apply to companies directly if you've got the following:

  • excellent IT skills
  • teaching, training or tutoring experience
  • in-depth knowledge of the subject you're going to teach

Other Routes

You can do a course with a private training provider, and some of these can be done online. You should check courses carefully to make sure they meet your needs.

More Information

Career tips

Tutors often find work through agencies or online learning platforms. Teaching time varies from a few hours a week up to full-time. Rates of pay also vary but can be between £15 to £40 and hour, depending on your experience, reputation, and the level and type of course you teach.

Further information

You can find out more about training to teach online from the Education & Training Foundation.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • the ability to create the best conditions for learning or teaching new things
  • knowledge of media production and communication
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to come up with new ways of doing things
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work well with others
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

You will:

  • help students develop their subject knowledge and study skills
  • create engaging courses and learning materials tailored to students' needs
  • assess students' work and give constructive feedback
  • keep parents up to date with their children's progress
  • teach individual students or small groups

Working environment

You could work from home.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

You could work in other areas of online education with an education company, like:

  • course development
  • tutor management
  • consultancy

You could also set up your own tutoring service.

With the right qualifications, you might move into schools teaching, further education or work-based training.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an Online tutor right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Diploma in Education and Training

  • Provider: UNITED COLLEGES GROUP
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: London

Education and Training

  • Provider: LUMINATE EDUCATION GROUP
  • Start date: 13 September 2025
  • Location: Leeds
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Search further careers

Related careers

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.