The 2016 top 5 subjects students get most tutored for

12th June 2023 by Anna Michaelidou

Every parent wants their child to succeed academically and a private tutor is often the best way to secure this success. Children and teens are tutored throughout the year in an array of different subjects and for many different reasons. It may be that they need some extra help understanding homework or school-work, that they have important exams coming up or they just want to stay ahead. But what subjects are people looking to get tutored in the most?

First Tutors decided to review some data to see which subjects are most commonly tutored for. Our statistics are taken for the year 2016 in the UK and look at the number of tutors hired for the different subject.

We also explored the different levels of each subject:

Primary
Secondary
GCSE
A-level
University
Casual/Adult learner

According to our statistics Maths is by far the most popular subject for tutoring needs with English as the second most tutored subject and then the sciences (Chemistry, Physics and Biology).

1. Maths

Maths can be a difficult subject for many students depending greatly on the way their brain processes information. Finding a tutor that specialises and has a passion in the subject your child needs help with is vitally important. A good tutor will break down any problems and assess the best way to explain things to your child.

The chart below clearly shows that GCSE Maths is the subject that students need the most help with. Whether it be understanding different Maths techniques or help with exam preparation, tutors in GCSE Maths are highly in demand.

A-level Maths comes in close with many students requiring extra attention in this complex subject. Primary and Secondary Maths are also high in demand where parents want to ensure their children grasp the basics of Maths from an early age so that they will not struggle as they get older.

As you can see from our chart Maths tutors are also hired for University Maths and even for casual/adult learners.

2. English

English is a world-wide language and is the governing international language in business, science, entertainment, aviation as well as the internet. Learning English well is a life-long benefit and regardless of your area of expertise having good English skills will always contribute to your success. This plays a large part in the reasons English was the second most tutored subject after Maths.

English tutors are able to break down the learning process so that children can grasp concepts easier and English is something that children start learning from a very young age. This being so it is not surprising that Primary English was the second most tutored level for English.

GCSE English is the top of the levels for English tutoring which is to be expected given the high importance of this particular GCSE. Many parents seek the help of a private tutor for their children from a young age to ensure that their child grasps the foundations of English before heading to high school where it becomes more difficult. A-level English is also a very popular subject followed closely by Secondary English which of course leads up to those all important GCSE's.

Adult English tutors are also very popular especially amongst those learning English as a second language or for those studying English at Degree level.

3. Chemistry

Chemistry is an important subject helping students develop important skills such as problem solving, research and analytical skills. Communication skills will naturally be enhanced as Chemistry often requires teamwork. Chemistry is known by some as the 'central science' because it connects physical sciences with applied sciences.

A good A-level grade in Chemistry will help secure you a place to study medicine, chemical engineering or many other courses which is probably why Chemistry tutors come in third most popular, with A-level Chemistry being the most tutored for level in this subject.

A private Chemistry tutor will provide students with a chance to enhance their knowledge in the subject or better understand more complex topics, guiding the student through parts that they have found difficult.

GCSE Chemistry is the second most popular level taught privately followed by Secondary level Chemistry whilst private tutors are hot for University Chemistry too.

4. Physics

Physics is a challenging subject at all levels with the higher levels becoming more difficult. A Physics tutor will provide great hands-on experiences with their students explaining complex topics and difficult-to-understand concepts.

Qualifications in Physics are very well regarded by employers and good grades in A-levels will also ensure higher chances of further study at a place of your choice. Just as with Chemistry, Physics A-level tutors are the highest sought-after with GCSE Physics tutors also in very high demand.

University Physics is considerably high and tutors are also hired for Secondary level Physics in preparation for higher levels.

5. Biology

Biology is made up of many, many branches and helps students develop an understanding of both basic and complex forms of life. Biology helps with comprehending the intricate details of life on our planet in humans, animals and plants and perceiving our environment in proper detail.

High grades in both GCSE and A-level Biology are important for anyone wishing to study a degree in marine studies or medicine. A-level Biology tutors are high in demand with almost two thirds of tutors teaching A-level. GCSE Biology tutors are also very popular and again Secondary Biology is a subject many children seek the help of a private tutor for.

Many students studying sciences at University also employ a private tutor to ensure they achieve their target grades, help with exam preparation and deeper understanding of the more complex themes.

The top tutored subjects with levels

Looking at our five most tutored for subjects I took took the chance to see the top ten most tutored for subjects with the different levels they are studied at. The following chart shows the most popular tutored subjects according to the levels required:

As we can see from the above chart GCSE Maths is the most tutored for subject in 2016 according to our statistics.

According to wham.com (the online magazine for work-at-home moms) Online Maths tuition is also top of their list for most popular subjects for online learning, stating:

The subject most requested for tutoring online is math. It can be the most challenging subject for students and parents who may not have done well in that area. High schoolers especially request math tutoring, because it gets much harder in grades 9-12, and their options of getting help from people around them decreases dramatically. Even students who do well in math need help now and then and could benefit from one-on-one tutoring.

To Conclude

As we can see from our statistics, tutors are high in demand as achieving good grades, accomplishing further education and having a good career has become evermore competitive. Tutors have become a vital addition to education helping children stay ahead, build their confidence and grow academically. First Tutors can help you find the right tutor for your child as they progress through their primary years and right up until university. We give the control over to you providing you with everything you need from tutor qualifications, experience, their rates and even their proximity to your home. A good private tutor can mean the difference between a struggling and unhappy child and a flourishing and confident one.

Find Tutors Now

Tags: Maths English students subjects

Categories: Science maths tutor