What is the best online tutoring platform in the UK?

Sherpa is one of the UK's leading online tutoring platforms, with over 350,000 one-to-one lessons delivered and a 4.8-star Google rating from more than 40,000 parents. What sets the best online tutoring platforms apart is tutor quality: 43% of tutors on Sherpa are qualified to teach in UK schools, and the rest average 11.2 years of professional tutoring experience. Only around 1 in 8 tutors who apply are accepted. Combined with a built-in online classroom, free introductions, and no subscriptions or hidden fees, this is what makes Sherpa a trusted choice for UK families.

How do I find an online tutor in the UK?

Finding online tutors in the UK on Sherpa takes a few minutes. Click "Find a Tutor" at the top of the page, filter by subject, level, and availability, then message any tutor whose profile you like. You can book a free 20-minute introduction with any tutor to discuss learning goals and teaching style before committing. Once you've found the right match, you can schedule flexible online lessons at a time that suits you. Our team are also on hand to help match you with a tutor if you'd prefer a personal recommendation.

How does one-to-one online tutoring work?

One-to-one online tutoring on Sherpa takes place in our built-in online classroom - think of it as "Zoom for education." Lessons combine live video chat with an interactive whiteboard, document editor, and code editor that both tutor and student can use in real time. Because lessons are one-to-one, the tutor can tailor every session to the student's specific weaknesses and pace. After each lesson, students can download their notes or rewatch the recording to revise from what was covered.

How effective is one-to-one online tutoring?

Very effective. Our 2025 Year in Review showed students improved by 2.2 grades on average and doubled their self-reported confidence after tutoring on Sherpa. One-to-one online tutoring works because the tutor gives 100% focus to a single student, adapting the curriculum to their pace and weaknesses. Recent studies also show that online learning is at least as effective as face-to-face tutoring, and often more effective in terms of engagement and retention.

How much do online tutors in the UK cost?

Online tutors on Sherpa start from £20 per hour, with most lessons averaging £25–£30 per hour depending on the tutor's experience and the subject level. There are no subscriptions, no upfront payments, and no hidden fees - you pay the tutor's hourly rate and nothing more. Free introductions mean you can meet a few tutors before committing, and lessons can be cancelled free of charge up to 12 hours before the start time.

Are online tutors on Sherpa qualified?

Yes. Every tutor on Sherpa is personally interviewed before joining the platform, and only around 1 in 8 applicants are accepted. 43% of our tutors are qualified to teach in UK schools, and the remainder have an average of 11.2 years of professional tutoring experience. Tutors with an enhanced DBS check are marked with a special badge on their profile for added reassurance.

Is online tutoring with Sherpa safe?

Yes. All online tutors on Sherpa undergo a thorough interview process and identity verification, and we review enhanced DBS checks where provided. Lessons take place inside Sherpa's own secure online classroom rather than on third-party tools, which keeps personal contact details private. Both students and parents can access recordings of every lesson, giving full transparency over what was covered.

Can online tutoring help me pass my exam?

In our 2025 Year in Review, students using Sherpa improved by 2.2 grades on average and reported a doubling in confidence. 95% of students said tuition on Sherpa boosted their exam results. Because lessons are one-to-one, tutors can target the specific topics and exam techniques each student struggles with - which is consistently more effective than classroom-only revision.

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How does it work?

Search for an English tutor, arrange a no-commitment trial lesson and schedule flexible online lessons.

1. Tell us what you want to learn

Take a 60-second quiz to tell us your level, goals (IELTS, business, conversational, etc.) and what sort of tutor you're looking for.

2. Browse matched English tutors

See tutors filtered to your goals. Read profiles, watch intro videos, and pick the ones you like the look of.

3. Arrange a trial lesson

Try a 20 minute trial lesson with your tutor. Find out more about them, and lay out a learning plan.

4. Schedule online English lessons

Lessons take place in Sherpa's built-in online classroom. Book lessons that fit your schedule – pay per lesson in GBP.

1. Tell us what you want to learn

Take a 60-second quiz to tell us your level, goals (IELTS, business, conversational, etc.) and what sort of tutor you're looking for.

2. Browse matched English tutors

See tutors filtered to your goals. Read profiles, watch intro videos, and pick the ones you like the look of.

3. Arrange a trial lesson

Try a 20 minute trial lesson with your tutor. Find out more about them, and lay out a learning plan.

4. Schedule online English lessons

Lessons take place in Sherpa's built-in online classroom. Book lessons that fit your schedule – pay per lesson in GBP.

Loved by students learning English

See what students around the world say about learning English with a Sherpa tutor.

"Hit my IELTS target"

I needed a 7.0 for my university application and my tutor built a plan around my weakest areas – mostly writing and speaking. Went from a 6.0 to a 7.5 in three months.

Aisha

A Happy Student

"Tailored to my weaknesses"

The tutor really made an effort to tailor my lessons to my weaknesses. Couldn't have used a better platform, thank you again!

Mohammed

A Happy Student

"Improving my English boosted my career"

My English has improved so much since starting lessons. I feel much more comfortable communicating at work every day, both in person and on video calls.

Lukas

A Happy Student

"Incredible quality tutors"

A company that really cares. The quality of tutors is incredible!

James A.

A Happy Customer

"Confident in real conversations"

Pronunciation and fluency are so hard to improve on your own. My tutor corrects me in the moment and gives me lots of chances to practise speaking. I feel much more confident in real conversations.

Yuki

A Happy Student

"Confidence picked up quickly"

My son is really happy with his tutor. His confidence really picked up after just a few lessons – a great service I will definitely use again!

Harriet P

A Happy Parent

"So much better than other platforms"

Great to find a platform that cares about the quality of their tutors! I tried another platform with unqualified tutors, but found Sherpa to be so much better.

Pav A

A Happy Parent

"Hit my IELTS target"

I needed a 7.0 for my university application and my tutor built a plan around my weakest areas – mostly writing and speaking. Went from a 6.0 to a 7.5 in three months.

Aisha

A Happy Student

"Tailored to my weaknesses"

The tutor really made an effort to tailor my lessons to my weaknesses. Couldn't have used a better platform, thank you again!

Mohammed

A Happy Student

"Improving my English boosted my career"

My English has improved so much since starting lessons. I feel much more comfortable communicating at work every day, both in person and on video calls.

Lukas

A Happy Student

"Incredible quality tutors"

A company that really cares. The quality of tutors is incredible!

James A.

A Happy Customer

"Confident in real conversations"

Pronunciation and fluency are so hard to improve on your own. My tutor corrects me in the moment and gives me lots of chances to practise speaking. I feel much more confident in real conversations.

Yuki

A Happy Student

"Confidence picked up quickly"

My son is really happy with his tutor. His confidence really picked up after just a few lessons – a great service I will definitely use again!

Harriet P

A Happy Parent

"So much better than other platforms"

Great to find a platform that cares about the quality of their tutors! I tried another platform with unqualified tutors, but found Sherpa to be so much better.

Pav A

A Happy Parent

FAQs

Have a question about learning English with Sherpa? Get in touch via the live support in the bottom right and a real person will be right with you.

: Learning with a qualified British tutor means you learn authentic British English pronunciation, vocabulary, and idiom directly from a native speaker. Sherpa's tutors are interviewed before joining the platform, with 43% qualified to teach in UK schools and the rest averaging over 11 years of teaching experience.
: English lessons on Sherpa start from around £20 per hour. There are no subscriptions, no upfront packages, and no hidden fees.
: Yes - every tutor on Sherpa offers a low-cost 20-minute trial lesson. Use it to discuss your learning goals, hear the tutor's teaching style, and decide whether they're the right fit before booking a full hour-long lesson.
: We accept all major credit and debit cards via Stripe. All lessons are charged in GBP - your bank handles the conversion to your local currency.
: You can find tutors for any kind of English learning: IELTS and exam preparation, business English, conversational English, English for travel, academic writing, and more. The wizard helps match you with tutors who specialise in your goal.

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