Do you need qualifications to start a tutoring business?

With parents increasingly looking for ways to support their children’s studies, the market for tutoring is growing across the world.

Shaun M Jooste, writer

Published at 25/07/2019 , Updated on 07/11/2025, Reading time: 5 min

Do you need qualifications to start a tutoring business?

The industry is now worth billions of pounds. But many are put off from exploring ways of opening their own tutoring business because they believe that they lack the right academic qualifications.

But the truth is that there are many ways you can enter the tutoring game without impeccable A level results or a first class degree. When starting your own tutoring franchise, you can hire some qualified teachers to cover the trigonometry for you. Instead, your job will be to oversee the business side of the venture.

What do you need to start your own tutoring business?

If you don’t need qualifications to start your own tutoring business, let’s have a look at the some of the things that you do need to be successful in the industry:

1) A small amount of money to invest

Starting up your own tutoring business does not require buying lots of expensive resources. With more and more tutoring companies going online, it is not even necessary to invest in a business premises.

Even if you want to offer an in-person tutoring service, there are plenty of opportunities to start up your own home tutoring business. By visiting students in their own homes, you don’t need to pay for a classroom.

2) Business experience

When starting any kind of business, experience matters. And that involves more than just knowing how to balance the books. You need to know how to manage employees and make difficult decisions. Throw a few challenging customers into the mix, and you’ve already got a lot on your plate.

That’s why the right business background is key. Having experience in managing people, for example, is a massive plus and can help you to form solid business relationships with those that matter.

But this doesn’t mean that you need to have experience in actually running a business. Think of your skills in terms of the different roles you’ve played in different jobs, right down from customer assistant roles to shift management. What matters is that you’re capable of handling authority and dealing with pressure.

3) The right values

Along with experience comes the right characteristics. A can-do attitude can make all the difference when you want make waves in a new industry. Staying positive and keeping faith in your business model can help you to stay on track when times are tough and make the most of success too.

Why should you start a tutoring business?

If you’ve got all of these things, then chances are that you’re more than capable of starting a profitable tutoring business. You’ve got the opportunity to enter a thriving industry that is growing internationally with the help of new tech.

The shift to online webcam tutoring has created a whole new market in Asia for English-speaking tutors. This is particularly true for rich countries like Dubai and China, which are full of parents that want their children to experience an English education.

After all, the British education system is known all over the world for academic excellence. Opening your own franchise means that you can carry that reputation into new markets and attract the attention of wealthy clients.

But private tutoring is not just on the rise in these countries. It is becoming more and more popular all over the world. Now, tutoring is beginning to be seen as a necessary rather than supplementary part of a child’s education. That’s the result of the growth of ‘testing culture’ and increasing competition for jobs amongst young people.

Tutoring Franchise Opportunities

If you’re ready to start your own tutoring business, there are several exciting franchise opportunities available across the UK, each offering a proven model, full training, and ongoing support. Here are two excellent examples:

Manor Tutoring

Manor Tutoring provides one-to-one and small-group tuition designed to help children reach their full potential. The franchise offers a flexible, home-based model that’s ideal for parents, former teachers, or career changers looking for a meaningful business opportunity.

With full training, ready-to-use lesson plans, and dedicated support, franchisees can start part-time and grow at their own pace.

Key Sounds Music

Key Sounds Music combines music education with a successful, scalable business model. The franchise helps children and adults discover their musical talents through engaging lessons in piano, singing, and more.

Franchisees receive comprehensive training, access to structured teaching materials, and ongoing guidance to help build a rewarding business that inspires creativity and confidence.

Whether you’re passionate about academic achievement or artistic expression, these tutoring franchise opportunities show how franchising can open the door to a fulfilling career in education without needing formal teaching qualifications.

Qualifications Optional, Passion Essential

You don’t need a teaching certificate to run a successful tutoring franchise, just the right mindset, motivation, and a supportive franchise system behind you. With growing demand for personalised education, franchising offers a practical and rewarding way to make a real difference.

If you’re ready to build a flexible business with impact, explore our latest tutoring franchise opportunities.

FAQ: Starting a Tutoring Franchise

Do I need to be a qualified teacher to run a tutoring franchise?

No. Most tutoring franchises welcome franchisees from all walks of life. You’ll receive full training, resources, and ongoing support; no PGCE or QTS required. What matters most is your enthusiasm for helping students and building a business with purpose.

Can I run a tutoring franchise part-time?

Yes. Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of this model. Many franchisees work around family life or start part-time before expanding. This makes owning a tutoring franchise ideal for parents, career changers, or anyone seeking better work-life balance.

Is franchising better than starting from scratch?

If you’re new to education or business ownership, franchising offers a much safer path. You’ll benefit from a proven system, faster setup, and ongoing mentorship from experienced professionals. Learn more in our guide on how to start a tutoring franchise in the UK.

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Shaun M Jooste, writer

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