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You have a big application coming up, or a university module you cannot crack, and someone recommends The Profs. You open the website, see prices starting at £60 an hour plus a registration fee, and pause. That is a lot of money. Is The Profs tutoring legit? Are the tutors really that good? And is there a better fit for your budget and goals?
Here is the short answer. Yes, The Profs is a legit and well established UK tutoring company. It says it vets tutors with interviews, live teaching demos, enhanced DBS checks and references, and it holds a 4.9 rating from 1,958 reviews on Trustpilot. It is also one of the more expensive options, with a £70 registration fee and a 5 hour minimum. It suits high stakes goals best. If you want structured, ongoing support or a lower total cost, the alternatives below are worth a look.
What The Profs is and how it works
The Profs is a London based tutoring company that, according to its own press release, was founded in 2014. It offers one to one tutoring from GCSE and A level through to undergraduate, postgraduate, professional qualifications and university admissions, including Oxbridge applications. The company says most of its tutoring happens online, with in person lessons available in some areas.
The process starts with a free consultation, where The Profs asks about your subject, level and goals. It then matches you with a tutor. You only pay the £70 registration fee once you are put in touch with a tutor you are happy to work with. After that, your card is stored securely and charged automatically after each session, at an hourly rate that is confirmed before tutoring begins.
Is The Profs tutoring legit? What the evidence shows
To answer this fairly, we use plain, checkable tests. Is it a real, established company? Are tutors vetted? Are the prices and terms clear? And what do users say?
How The Profs selects tutors
The Profs says tutors go through a “rigorous, multi-stage vetting process including interviews, live teaching demos, Enhanced DBS checks and two professional reference checks.” It also says only a small share of applicants are accepted. Its FAQ says the “top 3%” make the cut, while another part of the same page mentions a 4% acceptance rate. Either way, it presents itself as highly selective. These are company statements, so treat them as claims, but they are specific and in line with what a premium service would promise.
Awards and results claims
In a 2023 press release, The Profs said it won Best Tuition Business of the Year and Best Tuition Delivery to Private Clients at the National Tutoring Awards. In the same release, it claimed that 81% of its students achieve a grade increase, 95% get into their first or second choice university and its Oxbridge acceptance rate is 55%. These figures come from the company itself and have not been independently checked, so read them as marketing claims. The Profs also says clearly that it “cannot guarantee results”, which is honest and worth noting.
Our verdict on legitimacy
The Profs passes every basic test. It is a real, long running company with a clear vetting process, published prices and an excellent review record. The main things to understand before you book are not about trust. They are about cost and commitment, which we cover in the pricing section.
The Profs reviews: what Trustpilot says
Rating and star split
On Trustpilot, The Profs has a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 1,958 reviews, checked in November 2026. The profile has been claimed by the company since October 2015, and it pays for a Trustpilot subscription, which is common for larger businesses. When we checked, about 94% of reviews were 5 stars, about 5% were 4 stars, and 3, 2 and 1 star reviews were each under 1%.
What reviewers praise
The positive reviews follow a clear pattern. Reviewers describe tutors as knowledgeable and patient, and say they explain hard ideas clearly. Many mention personal, encouraging support and tutors who adapt to how they learn. Others praise the quick replies, easy matching and simple scheduling. A large group credit The Profs with helping them on university and postgraduate applications, from personal statements to interview practice, and some report better grades and offers from their first choice programmes.
What to watch for
Low star reviews are rare, so most of the cautions come from The Profs’ own terms rather than from complaints. The main ones are cost, the one off registration fee, the 5 hour minimum and the automatic charge after each session. A review published by a competing tutoring company also mentions some users reporting slow replies and refund disagreements. Because that publisher sells tutoring too, treat those points with caution, but it is still sensible to read the terms and conditions before you pay.
Invited, unprompted and verified reviews
On Trustpilot, you will see small tags under reviews. “Unprompted” means the person wrote the review without being asked. “Verified” generally means the company invited the reviewer after a real interaction. Many reviews on The Profs’ page carry a verified tag, which is normal for a business that sends review invitations. It does not make the reviews fake. It simply means it is worth reading a mix, including the few lower rated ones, before you decide.
The Profs pricing: how much a tutor costs
Hourly rates by level
The Profs publishes starting prices by level. These are “from” prices, so your tutor may charge more depending on their experience. Here is what the pricing page showed when we checked in November 2026.
| Level | Starting price per hour | What affects it |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE and IGCSE | £60 | Tutor experience and subject |
| A level and IB | £70 | Exam board and subject demand |
| Undergraduate | £75 | Module difficulty and tutor background |
| Postgraduate and PhD | £90 | Specialist research knowledge |
| Professional qualifications | £105 | Qualification type, such as finance or law |
| Specialist tutoring | £120 | Rare subjects or very senior tutors |
| University admissions support | £120 | Oxbridge, medicine and competitive courses |
Fees, packages and minimums
On top of the hourly rate, there is a one off £70 registration fee. The Profs says you only pay it once you are matched with a tutor you are happy with, and that it is refundable if you are unhappy and no suitable replacement can be found. There is also a £100 priority placement fee if you need a tutor at very short notice.
The Profs says it enforces a 5 hour minimum. That means your first booking at the school level costs at least £370 (5 hours at £60 plus the £70 fee), and at undergraduate level at least £445. If you commit to more, block bookings save 5% on 10 hours or 10% on 20 hours, and group sessions charge each extra student 50% of the standard rate. There is also a £50 voucher for each friend you refer who becomes a client.
What a term of tutoring might cost
It helps to think in terms of a full term, not a single hour. Say you are an undergraduate who wants one hour a week for 10 weeks at the £75 starting rate. With the 5% block discount, the lessons come to £712.50, plus the £70 registration fee, for a total of £782.50. Double that to 20 hours with the 10% discount and you pay £1,350 for lessons, or £1,420 with the fee. If your tutor charges more than the starting rate, these totals go up.
Seen this way, the real question is not “is £75 an hour too much?” but “will 10 or 20 focused hours change my result enough to be worth it?” For a dissertation, a resit or a competitive application, the answer is often yes. For general weekly homework help, a lower cost option may stretch your budget further.
Cancellation and refunds
The pricing and FAQ pages do not set out a full cancellation policy. The FAQ mentions a satisfaction policy for the first session and points to the terms and conditions for details. Read those terms before your first lesson, especially if you are booking a large block of hours.
Is The Profs worth it?
The Profs is worth it when the stakes are high and you need a specialist. Think Oxbridge or medicine applications, a tough postgraduate module, a professional exam, or a subject where few tutors have deep knowledge. In those cases, paying more for a carefully vetted expert can be good value.
It may not be the best value if you need steady weekly help over many months, if you are on a tight budget, or if you want built in progress tracking, quizzes and group workshops alongside your lessons. For some students, a mix of self study and fewer, well planned sessions works just as well. Our guide on live tutoring vs self study can help you decide. And even with AI tools everywhere, a real expert still matters when you need deep understanding and honest feedback, as our look at why human experts still outperform AI explains.
Questions to ask in the free consultation
The free consultation is your chance to make sure you are paying for the right expert. Ask which tutors they have in mind and what experience each has with your exact course, exam board or application. Ask what the tutor’s hourly rate will be, not just the starting price, and whether the first 5 hours can be spread out. Ask how feedback works between sessions and how you can switch tutors if the fit is wrong. Finally, ask them to point you to the terms that cover cancellations and the first session satisfaction policy.
A good company will answer these questions clearly and without pressure. If anything feels vague, take your time and compare a second option before you commit.
Best The Profs tutoring alternatives
The right alternative depends on your level, your goals and your budget. If you are comparing several platforms, you may also find our MyTutor review useful. Here are the options sorted by who they suit best.
| Platform | Best for | How lessons work | How pricing works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skyline Academic | Students who want structured, ongoing 1:1 support with an LMS | Live 1:1 tutoring with a dedicated LMS, progress tracking, quizzes, workshops and bootcamps | Contact Skyline for plans |
| Spires | University, admissions and professional subjects on a smaller budget | Online lessons with tutors who hold at least a bachelor’s degree | Tutors bid on requests. Spires lists school from £25/hr, university from £35/hr, professional from £45/hr |
| MyTutor | UK pupils working on GCSE and A level | Online lessons with vetted university student tutors | Tutors set their own rates, from £26/hr |
| Tutorful | UK families who want a big choice of tutors | Marketplace where you choose a tutor, often after a short free chat | Tutors set their own rates. A service fee may apply |
| Superprof | A very wide range of subjects, online or in person | Marketplace where you contact tutors directly | £39 a month Student Pass, plus each tutor’s own rate |
We run Skyline Academic, so weigh our ranking with that in mind.
1. Skyline Academic
Skyline Academic is one of the leading 1:1 live tutoring platforms, with a dedicated LMS, progress tracking, assignment quizzes, workshops and bootcamps. It is built for students, including international and university students, who want more than a one off session: a clear plan, visible progress, and support between lessons. We also offer an AI detector and a plagiarism checker in the same place. If that sounds right for you, explore our 1:1 live tutoring.
2. Spires
Spires covers school, university, admissions and professional subjects. It says only 4% of tutor applicants are accepted and that all tutors pass background checks. Its starting prices are lower than The Profs at each level, but its auction style system means your final price depends on the tutor you choose.
3. MyTutor
MyTutor focuses on UK school pupils, especially GCSE and A level. It offers a free video meeting with tutors and says it credits your account if the first lesson is not right. It is less suited to university or professional study.
4. Tutorful
Tutorful is a UK marketplace with a large choice of tutors for school subjects and exam preparation. Compare the total cost, including any service fee, before you book.
5. Superprof
Superprof covers almost any subject. You pay a monthly Student Pass to contact tutors and then pay each tutor directly. Read the sign up terms carefully and cancel the pass when you no longer need it.
If budget is tight, you can also combine a few tutor sessions with free and low cost tools. Our guide to AI powered study tools for students covers the best ones to use between lessons.
How to choose a premium tutor without overpaying
Premium tutoring can be worth every penny, but only if you choose carefully. A few checks will protect your money.
- Use the free consultation to ask about the tutor’s exact experience with your course or exam.
- Work out the full first cost, including any registration fee and minimum hours.
- Read the cancellation and refund terms before you pay.
- Ask how progress will be tracked and how often you will get feedback.
- Start small if you can, then add hours once you know the tutor is a good fit.
Tutoring works best when you also study well between sessions. Our guide to the best study techniques shows you how to make every hour count. If you use AI tools alongside your tutor, read our guide on using Claude AI as a student, and check where the line sits in is using AI cheating.
Still unsure which tutor is right for you?
Choosing a tutor is a big decision, especially when the price is high. If you want structured, ongoing support rather than one off sessions, Skyline Academic can help. We are one of the leading 1:1 live tutoring platforms, with a dedicated LMS that includes progress tracking, assignment quizzes, workshops and bootcamps. We also offer a plagiarism checker and an AI content detector so you can check your own work before you submit it. Book a session and see how it fits you.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Profs tutoring legit?
Yes. The Profs is an established UK tutoring company with a clear vetting process and a 4.9 rating from 1,958 Trustpilot reviews, checked in November 2026.
How much does The Profs tutoring cost per hour?
Starting prices range from £60 an hour for GCSE to £120 an hour for specialist and admissions support. There is also a one off £70 registration fee and a 5 hour minimum.
Why is The Profs so expensive?
It positions itself as a premium service with highly selective tutors, many with specialist or postgraduate backgrounds. You are paying for expertise and matching, not just lesson time.
Does The Profs offer a free consultation or trial?
It offers a free consultation to understand your needs and match you with a tutor. Its FAQ also mentions a satisfaction policy for the first session, set out in its terms.
Is The Profs good for university students?
Yes, it covers undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD level subjects. Starting prices are £75 an hour for undergraduate and £90 an hour for postgraduate tutoring.
Is The Profs worth it for Oxbridge or admissions help?
It can be, if you need specialist guidance and can afford £120 an hour. The company claims strong admissions results, but those figures are its own and not independently checked.
Can I get a refund from The Profs?
The registration fee is refundable if you are unhappy and no replacement tutor can be found. For lessons, check the satisfaction policy and terms before booking.
What do Trustpilot reviews say about The Profs?
Most reviewers praise expert, patient tutors, quick matching and strong application support. About 94% of reviews are 5 stars, and low ratings are under 1% each.
What are the best alternatives to The Profs?
It depends on your goals. Skyline Academic suits structured ongoing support, Spires suits university and admissions help, and MyTutor suits UK GCSE and A level pupils.
Is there a cheaper alternative to The Profs?
Yes. Spires and MyTutor list lower starting prices, and marketplaces like Tutorful and Superprof let tutors set their own rates. Compare total cost, not just the hourly rate.
Conclusion
The Profs is legit. It is an established, highly rated tutoring company with selective tutors and clear published prices. It is also a premium service, with a registration fee and a 5 hour minimum, so it is best for high stakes goals where specialist help really matters. If you want structured, ongoing 1:1 support with progress tracking, quizzes and workshops built in, Skyline Academic is ready to help you take the next step.
Sources
- The Profs pricing
- The Profs FAQ (vetting, minimum hours, consultation)
- The Profs: National Tutoring Awards 2023 press release, GlobeNewswire
- The Profs reviews on Trustpilot
- The Profs review, My Engineering Buddy (publisher sells competing tutoring)
- Spires online tutors
- MyTutor tutor listings and FAQs
- Superprof: charges and payments