Singapore Tuition Rates 2026: Complete Guide by Subject and Level

TuitionLah Team·3 June 2026·8 min read

What You Should Actually Pay for Tuition in Singapore

Singapore families spend an estimated $1.4 billion on private tuition annually. But with rates varying from $20/hr to over $150/hr, many parents wonder: am I paying the right amount?

This guide provides a comprehensive, data-informed breakdown of current tuition rates across every major subject, level, and tutor type in Singapore for 2026.

Understanding Tutor Categories

Before comparing rates, understand the four main tutor categories:

Part-Time Tutors: University students or working professionals who tutor on the side. They bring enthusiasm and relatability, often connecting well with students closer to their age. Best for students who need supplementary practice rather than intensive remedial help.

Full-Time Tutors: Professionals who tutor as their primary career. They typically have years of teaching experience, a library of materials, and refined teaching methods. Best for students who need structured, consistent support.

Ex-MOE Teachers: Former school teachers with formal NIE training and classroom experience. They understand the school system from the inside, know the marking schemes, and often have contacts for sourcing prelim papers. Most sought-after category.

Current MOE Teachers: Technically not supposed to provide paid tuition outside school, but the practice exists. Rates are high, and availability is limited. We do not recommend relying on this option due to the ethical and regulatory grey area.

Primary School Tuition Rates (P1-P6)

English

Part-time tutors: $25-40/hr
Full-time tutors: $35-55/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $50-80/hr

English tuition rates tend to be slightly lower than Maths because the pool of qualified tutors is larger. Composition and comprehension-focused tuition typically costs the same as general English tuition.

Mathematics

Part-time tutors: $25-45/hr
Full-time tutors: $35-60/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $50-80/hr

Primary Maths tuition is the most requested subject. P5-P6 rates are typically 15-25% higher than P1-P4 due to PSLE preparation demand.

Science

Part-time tutors: $25-45/hr
Full-time tutors: $35-60/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $50-80/hr

Science tuition demand increases sharply from P3 onwards when the subject is formally introduced. Rates are comparable to Maths.

Chinese / Malay / Tamil (Mother Tongue)

Part-time tutors: $25-40/hr
Full-time tutors: $35-60/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $50-85/hr

Mother Tongue tuition rates are similar to English. Higher Chinese tuition commands a 10-20% premium due to the smaller pool of qualified tutors.

Secondary School Tuition Rates (S1-S5)

E Maths (Elementary Mathematics)

Part-time tutors: $30-50/hr
Full-time tutors: $40-70/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $60-90/hr

A Maths (Additional Mathematics)

Part-time tutors: $35-55/hr
Full-time tutors: $45-75/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $65-100/hr

A Maths commands a premium over E Maths because fewer tutors are qualified to teach it effectively. The difficulty level requires tutors with strong mathematical backgrounds.

Combined Science vs Pure Science

Combined Science: Rates similar to E Maths ($30-90/hr range)
Pure Physics: $35-55/hr (part-time), $45-80/hr (full-time), $65-100/hr (ex-MOE)
Pure Chemistry: $35-55/hr (part-time), $45-80/hr (full-time), $65-100/hr (ex-MOE)
Pure Biology: $30-50/hr (part-time), $40-70/hr (full-time), $60-95/hr (ex-MOE)

Pure Sciences cost more than Combined Science due to the depth of content and smaller tutor pool. Physics and Chemistry are typically the most expensive Science subjects.

English Language and Literature

Part-time tutors: $30-50/hr
Full-time tutors: $40-65/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $55-90/hr

Literature tuition is slightly harder to find, as fewer tutors specialise in it. Expect to pay 5-10% more than general English tuition for dedicated Literature tutors.

Chinese / Mother Tongue

Part-time tutors: $30-50/hr
Full-time tutors: $40-65/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $55-90/hr

Higher Chinese and Higher Malay tuition costs 15-20% more than standard Mother Tongue tuition.

Humanities (History, Geography, Social Studies)

Part-time tutors: $30-45/hr
Full-time tutors: $40-65/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $55-85/hr

Humanities tuition is less common than Maths and Science, and many students only seek it during O-Level preparation year. The tutor pool is smaller, but demand is lower, keeping rates moderate.

JC Tuition Rates (JC1-JC2)

H2 Mathematics

Part-time tutors: $45-65/hr
Full-time tutors: $60-100/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $80-120/hr

H2 Maths is the most tutored JC subject. The difficulty jump from O-Level A Maths to H2 Maths is steep, and many students who were strong in Maths at O-Level find themselves struggling in JC.

H2 Physics

Part-time tutors: $45-65/hr
Full-time tutors: $60-100/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $80-120/hr

H2 Chemistry

Part-time tutors: $45-65/hr
Full-time tutors: $55-95/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $80-120/hr

H2 Economics

Part-time tutors: $40-60/hr
Full-time tutors: $55-90/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $75-110/hr

Economics tuition is highly sought after because the subject is new to most JC students — it is not taught at O-Level, creating a steeper learning curve.

H1 Subjects (General Paper, H1 Maths, etc.)

Part-time tutors: $35-55/hr
Full-time tutors: $50-80/hr
Ex-MOE teachers: $70-100/hr

H1 subjects generally cost less than H2 subjects due to the lower content depth, though General Paper tutors with strong track records may charge premium rates.

IB and International School Tuition Rates

International Baccalaureate (IB) and international school curriculum tuition typically costs 20-40% more than local curriculum tuition:

IB Maths (SL/HL): $50-80/hr (experienced tutors), $80-130/hr (specialists)
IB Sciences (SL/HL): $50-80/hr (experienced tutors), $80-130/hr (specialists)
IGCSE subjects: $40-70/hr (experienced tutors), $60-100/hr (specialists)

The premium reflects the smaller tutor pool familiar with international curricula and the different assessment approach (Internal Assessments, Extended Essays, etc.).

How to Reduce Your Tuition Spending

1. Eliminate Agency Fees

This is the single biggest saving. Traditional agencies charge 50-100% of the first month's fees — for a student paying $240/month, that is $120-240 in commission. Use platforms like TuitionLah that connect you directly with tutors at zero commission.

2. Consider Small Group Tuition

Small group tuition (2-4 students) costs 30-50% less per student than 1-to-1 tuition. For subjects where peer discussion helps (like essay-based subjects), groups can actually be more effective.

3. Focus Tuition on Weak Subjects Only

Not every subject needs tuition. If your child scores well in English but struggles with Maths, invest tuition hours where the impact is greatest.

4. Online Tuition

Online tuition rates are typically 10-15% lower than in-person rates because tutors save on travel time. For upper secondary and JC levels, online tuition is just as effective for most students.

5. Book Early, Not Last Minute

Rates and availability are most competitive outside peak exam periods. Finding a tutor in January for the year ahead gives you better options than scrambling in September.

What Are You Really Paying For?

When evaluating tuition rates, consider the total value, not just the hourly price:

Preparation time: Good tutors spend 30-60 minutes preparing each lesson
Materials: Quality tutors provide worksheets, notes, and practice papers
Communication: Professional tutors update parents regularly on progress
Flexibility: Willingness to adjust teaching to your child's evolving needs
Results: Track record of student improvement matters more than a low rate

Browse tutors on TuitionLah to compare rates transparently. Every tutor profile includes their qualifications, subjects, levels, and hourly rates — no hidden fees, no agency commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do tuition rates vary so much in Singapore?

Tuition rates depend on several factors: the tutor's qualifications (part-time vs full-time vs ex-MOE), the education level (primary costs less than JC), the subject (niche subjects like H2 Further Maths cost more), and the format (1-to-1 is pricier than group tuition). Location also plays a role — tutors in central areas may charge slightly more.

Are tuition agency fees included in the hourly rate?

No. Agency fees are separate and typically amount to 50-100% of the first month's tuition fee, paid by the parent on top of the regular hourly rate. This is why platforms like TuitionLah, which charge no agency fees, can save families hundreds of dollars annually.

How often should tuition sessions be for it to be effective?

Most educators recommend at least one 1.5-2 hour session per week for consistent progress. During exam preparation periods, increasing to 2-3 sessions per week is common. More frequent but shorter sessions (e.g., twice weekly for 1 hour each) can also be effective for maintaining momentum.

Do tuition rates go up during exam periods?

Established tutors generally maintain consistent rates year-round. However, availability becomes scarce during peak exam periods (September-November for PSLE and O-Levels), which can push effective rates higher as parents compete for limited time slots. Booking tutors early helps avoid this premium.