As the name suggests, online tutoring involves sessions with a teaching assistant that take place via video chat or online whiteboard. Sessions can help with a range of topics, from preparing for an exam to understanding complex new concepts. Online tutoring can also be used to work on assignments that are then submitted electronically. Tutors are usually employed by educational companies or freelancers who specialise in particular subjects. Alternatively they can be found on e-learning platforms like Chegg and Third Space Learning.

The best sites will offer a free trial lesson for students, as well as details on how to find a tutor and their credentials. They will also have a safety and privacy policy that protects students and tutors, as well as secure payment options.

Some ed-tech companies are now offering bespoke software that matches tutors with students based on their personality, subject knowledge and learning style. The aim is to reduce the ‘teacher gap’ that results from students being taught by different people in each class.

One example of this is TutorMe, which promises to connect students with an expert tutor within 30 seconds of a query. Its lessons are billed by the minute, so students can pay for the help they need as they need it, rather than paying for the entire session up front. The platform is also available 24/7, which might make it a good choice for students that need last-minute revision. However, it’s not ideal for students with kinesthetic learning styles, which are better served by hands-on activities, or those who are struggling to concentrate on their own.