How to be a college tutor | A step-by-step guide to becoming a college tutor in the UK

Teachers are blessed with having the most meaningful and satisfying job. Teaching is the best opportunity to teach and learn simultaneously. However, a teacher’s job is also absolutely demanding, and the pay is not proportional to the workload. That is why most teachers work as tutors as well. Tutoring is just as fulfilling as teaching, but the salary is considerably higher. This article will help you expand your experience from being a teacher to being a college tutor. So, if you want to learn how to be a college tutor, do not miss this article.

• Set your tutoring goals

• Identify your preferences

• Acquire in-depth subject knowledge 

• Participate in tutor training courses

• Work on your tutoring skills

• Put your tutoring skills into practice

• Advertise your service on social media

• Apply for vacancies in colleges in the UK

• Register on online tutoring platforms
• Keep updating your knowledge base

Where shall I begin?

The first thing you need to know is what kind of college and which subject you want to tutor. In other words, your journey to becoming a college tutor starts with identifying your own goals and preferences. Let us briefly explain the college types in the UK and the covered subjects.

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Also read: Tutor CV Example

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College types in the UK

There are two main types of colleges in the UK: Sixth form colleges or colleges of Further Education (FE colleges) and colleges of Higher Education (HE colleges). The typical age range for FE colleges is 16-19, and for HE colleges, 18-21. The main purposes of attending any of these colleges are improving job prospects and preparing for higher education. In other words, FE college students aim to enter the workforce directly as compulsory schooling ends, but HE college students want to continue their education, enter university, and specialise in the desired subject.

FE colleges such as Settle and Lancaster and Precambrian College cover courses on core academic subjects, particularly English, Maths, and Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) at the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) level. In addition to the above subjects, students can study Social Sciences and Humanities, Creative Arts, Information Technology (IT), Business and Administration, Engineering and Technology, Construction and Trades, and Health and Social Care. 

HE colleges like Blackburn College and Imperial College London cover the same subjects as FE colleges but at a more advanced level. They emphasise the theoretical aspects of the subjects. Also, they offer higher qualifications and issue various degrees depending on course types. FE colleges issue Foundation degrees (one-year courses), Higher National Diplomas (two-year courses), and Bachelor’s degrees (three-year courses).

• The pros and cons of tutoring FE and HE college students

FE colleges take a hands-on approach towards education and teach students skills needed to work in the desired field. Moreover, fewer students are in each class in FE than in HE colleges, giving the tutor a better chance to interact with the students and build rapport. However, the student diversity in FE colleges is wide in terms of age and experience level, requiring teachers to modify their teaching style more frequently. In addition, FE courses do not focus on the theoretical underpinnings of the subject. 

The significant positive aspect of HE for tutors is that the tuition fee is higher than what FE tutors charge. Another advantage is that HE students are self-motivated, and the tutor does not need to put extra effort into engaging the students in the learning process. Additionally, HE tutors have a greater chance for self-development since they have more research opportunities. Nevertheless, HE tutoring is more challenging because the tutors need to have intensive knowledge of the subject, and the students ask more complex questions. Also, the focus of HE courses falls more on theory than practice. 

• Should I tutor FE or HE college students?

Whether you should tutor FE or HE students is the question of your preferences and teaching qualification. It is easier to tutor FE students if you do not have a teaching degree or in-depth knowledge of the field. Also, if you are a pragmatist and like to focus on the practical aspects of a subject, FE tutoring is the better choice. On the other hand, if you have satisfactory tutoring qualifications and enjoy researching or being challenged, HE tutoring is the right choice. As a HE tutor, you can also enjoy the higher tuition fees. Of course, you can tutor students from both college types depending on your schedule and capabilities. In short, it all boils down to whether you prefer to work in a workshop or a classroom.

What are the qualifications of a college tutor?

The least you need to qualify as a college tutor is a degree in the subject you want to teach. You also need relevant industry experience, especially for vocational courses. Field knowledge and expertise in tutoring GCSEs, A-Levels, and BTECs maximise your employment chances. However, if you want to tutor HE students, you need to have all the qualifications of an FE tutor, as well as pedagogical knowledge. In other words, you must have an in-depth understanding of the subject as well as knowledge of teaching methods to teach the students the subjects effectively. For pedagogical qualifications, you can obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCHE) or Fellowship of Higher Education Academy (HEA). Ultimately, no matter which group of students you want to tutor, you should keep your knowledge base fresh and keep up with the latest trends in your career. 

Read the UK government’s guidelines on Teach in Further Education to learn more about the qualifications of a college tutor.

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General qualities of a college tutor

Aside from subject expertise, industry experience, and pedagogical qualifications, tutors must also have the following qualities:

1. Communication skills: Tutors need to teach subject concepts in comprehensible lessons. They should break down complex lessons into understandable units to facilitate the learning process. In addition, they need to listen to and address the students’ concerns.
2. Personal qualities: the first attribute of any successful tutor is patience. Some students might need extra support to understand a concept; it is your job to ensure they understand it completely. Moreover, you need to appreciate each student’s unique learning style and adopt an appropriate teaching method. You should also establish rapport with your students to remove affective filters and make the tutoring sessions a safe learning environment.
3. Commitment: Your clients have entrusted their academic success with you. You are responsible for the student’s performance and do your best to help them achieve their goals. Keep in mind that your client’s success is actually a success story for your tutoring CV, and it can garner an excellent reputation for you.
4. Technological competence: technology is an integral part of our lives. As a tutor, you need to use computers and programs to diversify your teaching method and make it more engaging. Proper use of digital tools and devices empowers you to include different resources in the teaching process. Additionally, technological skills come in handy for online tutoring.
5. Monitoring and feedback: What clients expect from you as their tutor is your undivided attention. You should monitor the learning process to understand the student’s strengths and areas of improvement. Monitoring helps you decide which topics need further explanations, choose the best resources, and modify your teaching style. As you observe the student’s performance, you should provide constructive feedback. Monitoring and giving feedback show your engagement in the teaching and establish professional trust in your clients.
6. Assessment skills: part of the learning process is assessment. You must acquire test-taking skills and examine your student’s progress throughout tutoring sessions. Formative assessment is useful in tutoring. Click here to learn more about it and other assessment types.

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These are only some of the prominent qualities of a successful tutor. Click on How to be a Good Teacher: Passion, Person, and Pedagogy to learn more about the qualities of a good teacher.

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How can I develop tutoring skills?

For starters, you can participate in teacher training courses or other academic programs that teach skills such as time management, assessment strategies, motivational skills, etc. However, you need more than merely studying these skills to become an adept college tutor. These skills become meaningful in practice, and with time, you can internalise them. It familiarises you with the teaching process and the challenges involved in it, especially at the beginning of your journey as a college tutor. You should start small, so try tutoring, for example, a kid in your family. These experiences, however small, lay a solid foundation for future career success as a tutor.

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Here, I have listed several courses you can take to develop your tutoring skills.

• National tutoring programme training course
• Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training (RQF)
• Award in Education and Training – AET (Formerly PTTLS)

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The writer’s notes

As a tutor myself, I vividly remember my first English tutoring session. My throat was as dry as a bone, and I was extremely sweaty and nervous. Luckily, the class was online, and it helped me conceal the stress. But all the unpleasantness and awkwardness took only 30 minutes, and the rest of the session went quite smoothly. My expertise in the subject helped me to maintain my grasp on the teaching process, and, over time, as I gained more experience, tutoring became part of my comfort zone. To make a long story short, I believe pedagogical theories serve as an excellent starting point in acquiring teaching skills, but you will not make you a tutor. You have to start tutoring. Most of your tutoring skills emerge and develop in the real experience. Remember, the perfect moment never comes

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Where can I work as a college tutor?

The answer to this question depends on whether you aim to run your personal tutoring business or work for academic institutes and tutoring agencies. The first approach is more time-consuming and requires financial investment. Therefore, it can be challenging and exhausting for novice college tutors to establish their personal tutoring business. For the first approach to work out, you need to run a website, create a business page on social media, and advertise your tutoring service to find clients. I have elaborated on “How to advertise yourself as a tutor” in another article. You can click on the link to read the guidelines.

If you choose to work directly with FE or HE colleges, you can apply for tutoring positions on the college websites. You can also find tutoring positions through job boards in the UK. You should also join professional tutoring networks on LinkedIn to stay updated with industry-related events and find out about vacancies. This second approach is more straightforward, and you can find a tutoring position more quickly, but there is a rigorous application process, and you should show a teaching certificate or a degree in the subject you want to teach or prove your mastery of the subject relying on extensive experience in the desired subject. 

• Online tutoring platforms

Online tutoring platforms have brought the best of two approaches in one place. These platforms allow tutors to find clients without exhausting themselves through marketing and advertisements. Better yet, these platforms are not strict regarding the tutor’s qualifications, making them the perfect place for novice college tutors to start the tutoring journey. 

Earn an income as an online tutor at Ostado

Tutoring is the best approach to teaching various subjects and disciplines. Many students in the UK are looking for a tutor to learn or improve their grades. Currently, A-level, GCSE, 11+, and 13+ exam tutors are in high demand in the UK. You can join Ostado’s online tutoring platform to tutor students in various subjects, especially maths, physics, and chemistry. This is an excellent opportunity for you to monetize your expertise and tutoring skills from the comfort of your home. Even novice tutors have a place at our straightforward and user-friendly platform. Register now and start tutoring in the UK in your favourite subject.

How to become a college tutor; last remarks

Tutoring college students is a fulfilling job and it gives the tutors the chance to make a difference. But the job is also taxing and necessitates subject expertise and industry experience. Finding a job as a college tutor can be daunting especially at the beginning of your tutoring experience. You can either work for yourself or apply for tutoring positions in colleges or job boards in the UK. But the fastest way to find clients is through online tutoring platforms. Ostado has designed a professional platform where you can start your tutoring business conveniently. Join Ostado for tutoring jobs and start your tutoring journey.