Yes, you can get a tutor for university! Many students across the United Kingdom and internationally work with university tutors to improve confidence, strengthen subject knowledge, and achieve better results. While tutoring is often associated with GCSE and A-level study, university tutoring is well established and continues to grow each year.
At The Profs, we help students find qualified subject specialist tutors who understand university-level expectations. We cover more than 15,000 courses and personally match students with experienced tutors who have studied and taught at top UK universities, including the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, UCL, and King’s College London.
The results? 93%* of our undergraduate students reported a grade improvement after working with one of our University Tutors.
Contents:
- Why University Students Choose Private Tutoring
- 2.1 vs 2.2 Degree: Boost Your Lifetime Earnings by 20%
- Find a Tutor with The Profs – Rated #1 Tutoring Provider on Trustpilot (UK)
- The Profs 2025 University Results
- Our Tutor-Matching Process
- Popular Tutoring Subjects at University Level
*Based on respondents to The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025.
Why University Students Choose Private Tutoring
University studies can be challenging. Lectures are fast-paced, contact hours are limited, and independent study expectations are high. Many students feel unsure about how to revise effectively, structure essays, or approach complex mathematical or theoretical concepts.
Tutors help students:
- Gain a clearer understanding of complex course content.
- Improve academic writing, essay structure, or critical thinking.
- Prepare effectively for exams and assessments.
- Strengthen research, data analysis, and dissertation planning skills.
- Recover confidence after a difficult term or year.
- Move from a lower grade classification to a higher one,
Private tutoring, unlike group lectures, is one-to-one and fully focused on the student’s individual needs. Sessions often involve digital learning tools such as interactive whiteboards and take place over Zoom (or other video platforms).
2.1 vs 2.2 Degree: Boost Your Lifetime Earnings by 20%
For many students, private tutoring is also an investment for their future. Whether you want to secure a place on a competitive graduate scheme or qualify for a top postgraduate programme, your final degree classification matters.
According to a 2022 report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS):
- Graduates from top universities who received a 2.1 earned 20% more on average by age 30 than those who received a 2.2.
- Five years after graduation, students with a 2.2 earned around £3,800 less than their peers with a 2.1.
- In competitive fields like law and economics, the gap was even wider, with a 15%+ difference in earnings.
Over the course of a career, that pay gap adds up. Obtaining a lower second-class degree over a 2.1 could cost you as much as £300,000 in lifetime earnings!
The research is clear: good grades pay off. If you’re aiming to hit or maintain a 2.1, The Profs are here to help. Our University Tutors support students at every stage of their degree – and all of them have impressive track records.
More about our network of tutors below:
Find a Tutor with The Profs – Rated #1 Tutoring Provider on Trustpilot (UK)
If you’re looking for a trusted tutor who understands your subject, your goals, and your learning style, we’ve got you covered. With over 1,800 verified reviews from students and families, The Profs remain the UK’s highest-rated tutoring platform on Trustpilot for the 9th consecutive year.
Our network of 650+ vetted tutors includes specialists from the top universities in the UK and abroad. Each tutor is selected not only for their academic expertise, but also for their ability to motivate, connect and empathise with their students. We invest thousands of hours each year into vetting every new tutor to ensure only the best join our network.
Here’s what sets our tutors apart:
- 98% hold postgraduate qualifications.
- 41% have PhDs.
- 70% have 10+ years of teaching experience.
Many of our tutors are former university lecturers, experienced academics and qualified teachers. Several have also been recognised by the National Tutoring Awards in categories such as ‘Best Post-18 Tutor’ (2025), ‘Best Online Tutor’ (2024), ‘Best Professional Tutor of the Year’ (2022) and ‘ Best University-Level Tutor’ (2022).
The Profs 2025 University Results
From over 12,000 students we supported this year, those who responded to our August 2025 survey reported outstanding progress:
- 94% of undergraduates moved up from a 2.2 to a 2.1,
- 85% of undergraduates moved from 2.1 to a 1st.
- 57% achieved a 1st after working with us (only 3% started on a 1st).
Our Tutor-Matching Process
The Profs’ multi award-winning customer service team (“Best Tuition Business for Customer Support”, NTA, 2022 and 2023) prides itself on providing a 6* star service, and delivering life-changing results for our students.
In a world in which it’s becoming harder to speak to a real person, we speak to every student or parent through an initial free consultation. Firstly, our award-winning Client Success Team will interview you for a detailed education history, alongside your specific tutor requirements, to find the perfect match.
We then arm our consultants with our ‘Smart-Match Algorithm’ – a vast database of over 5 million data points accumulated over 10 years – so that each and every student is paired with the tutor who is statistically most likely to guide them to a life-changing outcome, at the best value-for-money. Every match is made with care, factoring in the tutor’s qualifications and experience alongside student feedback from previous placements.
Here’s what our clients had to say:
“What sets Profs apart is their attention to detail. The tutors initiate a first call to meticulously plan and understand our objectives, ensuring each session is tailored to our needs. For parents seeking help for their children, we wholeheartedly recommend Profs. Trust us; you won’t be disappointed!”
– KM, parent
“I highly recommend The Profs to anyone who is looking to optimise their performance in any of their modules. Another few hundred pounds for tutoring, on top of the £30,000 being paid for my degree seemed a rational investment given the fact that The Profs proved to be the difference between a 1st and a 2:1 in my second year examinations.”
– Nima, student
” I’m not an easy student as I have a couple of dyslexia conditions and being foreign with English being my second language. Mark managed to take me through the end were I was able to achieve 80% Mark on my dissertation work. It is, by far, my best achievement in my life!”
– Anatoly, student
Popular Tutoring Subjects at University Level
With The Profs, you can request a tutor for any subject at undergraduate or postgraduate level. You can view our tutors at any time, or speak with our Client Success Team to arrange a free consultation and talk through what you need. Take a look at our most popular tutoring subjects, but remember that this is not an exhaustive list; we cover over 15,000 courses across all levels of study!
- Biology Tutors
- Economics Tutors
- Physics Tutors
- English Tutors
- Engineering Tutors
- Medicine Tutors
- Law Tutors
- History Tutors
- Math Tutors
- Management Tutors
- Finance Tutors
FAQs: Can You Get a Tutor for University?
How do I know if a tutor is the right tutor for me?
Finding the right tutor for you or your child can be a challenging task. You will need to factor in your subject area, goals, and learning style. During your first conversation with The Profs, we talk about the subjects you study, the level you are working at, and the areas where you want more clarity or confidence. Our team of tutor-matching experts will recommend a subject specialist who has experience supporting university students in your degree area.
What qualifications do university tutors usually have?
A good tutor at university level typically holds a master’s degree, a doctoral qualification, or extensive teaching experience in higher education. Many Profs tutors have studied or taught at top UK universities, including the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, UCL, King’s College London, and Queen Mary University of London.
Their academic background helps them explain lectures, teach exam technique, and support coursework in a clear and structured way. A tutor’s level of knowledge helps students develop more skills throughout their undergraduate and postgraduate education.
Can tutoring help with academic confidence?
Yes. One-to-one tutoring can help students develop self-belief, independence, and better study habits. Regular sessions allow you to review lecture material, practise writing and analysis, and ask questions at your own pace. This personalised support can make university feel more manageable.
Many students report feeling more confident in seminars, essays, and exams after working with a private tutor, particularly when adjusting to new academic expectations in the United Kingdom or when studying abroad.
Are You Allowed to Have a Tutor at University?
Yes. Seeking academic support is allowed. Your tutor cannot complete assessed work for you. However, they can explain concepts, review drafts, suggest improvements, and guide your study approach. The work remains your own.
Can I find a tutor for a specific university or department?
Yes. The Profs work with tutors who have studied or taught at a wide range of universities in the UK and internationally. This includes subject tutors familiar with academic expectations at institutions such as the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, University College London, and King’s College London.
If you are studying English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Engineering, Economics, Physics, History, Medical School courses, or other popular tutoring subjects, we can recommend the perfect tutor for you.
How does The Profs match students with tutors?
Our tutor-matching process is highly personalised to your specific needs. A dedicated consultant speaks with you first to understand your course, the challenges you face, and the grades you want to achieve. We then recommend a tutor with relevant subject knowledge, university tutoring experience, and a communication style that supports your learning. This helps create a tutoring relationship that is both encouraging and effective. Many students say this matching process helped them learn in a way that felt natural and motivating.
Is online tutoring effective for university students?
Yes. Online tutoring is widely used across UK universities because it fits easily around lectures, labs, placements, and part-time work. One-to-one tuition tends to take place in virtual classrooms with videotelephony tools, interactive whiteboards, and shared document platforms.
What subjects can university tutors help with?
We support more than 15,000 subjects across undergraduate and postgraduate education. This includes Science, Mathematics, Mechanics, Biology, English Literature, History, Economics, foreign language learning, Engineering, and more. We can also help students refine their academic skills, such as essay structuring, research methodology, and data analysis for dissertations and theses.
Can tuition help with dissertations or thesis work?
Yes. Tutors can guide students through the full dissertation or thesis process. This includes narrowing a research question, discussing literature, and reviewing methodology. You remain the author of your work at every stage.
Can international students get tutoring?
Yes. We work with students in the UK and internationally, including Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and North America. Since tutoring can take place through online lessons, students can continue learning consistently even when moving between campus, family home, internships, or study abroad placements.
Can university students become an online tutor themselves?
Yes. Many university students choose to become a tutor once they feel comfortable with their subject and academic skills. This can be a valuable way to develop communication skills and support other learners. Students interested in tutoring can apply to become an online tutor on various platforms, but please note that The Profs only accepts qualified, experienced professionals with years of experience. In fact, only ~3% of tutor applicants join our platform due to our stringent recruitment process.
