HOW TO HIRE · LESSONS & TUTORING · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a science tutor in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A science tutor in Ireland costs €30–€60 per hour, typically around €42. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a science tutor in five steps
- Are you a trader, and can I see that in writing?No register covers science tutor work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — exam Preparation Strategies — science tutors equip students with effective study techniques and exam strategies.
- How does their qualifications change the price?A long track record is itself part of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does experience level change the price?A licensed provider costs more than an unlicensed one, and should. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does specific subjects being taught change the price?What you pick at the start sets most of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Practical Experimentation — many science tutors incorporate hands-on experiments to reinforce theoretical concepts — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a science tutor job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
No register applies
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO PRIVATE TUTORS. Anyone may advertise as one. Where the student is under 18 the thing that matters is Garda vetting, obtained through an organisation under the National Vetting Bureau Acts 2012–2016 — and a parent cannot apply for it on a tutor's behalf, so the only practical check is to ask the tutor to show you the disclosure they hold and to read its date. A qualified teacher will also be on a teaching register, which is checkable.
Look for the trader badge and the ID-checked badge on the Locufy profile — both are checked by us, not claimed by the provider.
What to check instead
Garda vetting, shown to you, with its date; A subject qualification, and how much of their work is this subject at this level; Whether lessons are one-to-one or shared, and where they happen; For online lessons, whether sessions are recorded and who holds the recording; Cancellation and payment terms in writing — block-paid lessons are the commonest dispute; Two references from current families.
Ask for each of these before you agree a price, and get the answers in the same message as the quote.
Insurance
Expect public liability, and professional indemnity if they advise on exam strategy. You are booking an individual for a set number of hours, so ask whether the ID has been checked and what the rating is from people who booked the same way — there is no company behind them to carry either.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. An individual working under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge VAT at all, and does not have a VAT number to give you.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: No register covers science tutor work, so trader status is what your consumer rights hang on — exam Preparation Strategies — science tutors equip students with effective study techniques and exam strategies.
A good answer: A long track record is itself part of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: A licensed provider costs more than an unlicensed one, and should. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: What you pick at the start sets most of the price. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Practical Experimentation — many science tutors incorporate hands-on experiments to reinforce theoretical concepts — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a science tutor job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect public liability, and professional indemnity if they advise on exam strategy — subject-Specific Tutoring — science tutors provide specialised support in areas such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the science tutor starts, and an itemised invoice after — STEM Tutor — offers comprehensive support across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics subjects.
Booking by the hour
- The rate per hour, and whether it changes in the evening or at a weekend
- The minimum booking, and what happens if the job finishes early
- What they bring and what you supply
- Whether the ID has been checked, and the rating from people who booked the same way
- Insurance, where the work can damage something or somebody
- The hours and the list of what is to be done, agreed before the first one
Walk away if
- They will not talk about it: their qualifications — a long track record is itself part of the price
- They will not talk about it: experience level — a licensed provider costs more than an unlicensed one, and should
- They will not talk about it: specific subjects being taught — what you pick at the start sets most of the price
- A price for the science tutor before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
- No written quote, or one that moves once the science tutor has begun
What a science tutor costs: €30–€60 per hour
Most science tutors quote the job rather than the hour; the hourly rate is what the small jobs are priced from. Biology tutor and Chemistry tutor each carry their own band. Science Tutor price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Science tutors near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you, or book by the hour.
- Look firstTheir qualifications — a long track record is itself part of the price — that is what the science tutor is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneExperience level — a licensed provider costs more than an unlicensed one, and should — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfSpecific subjects being taught — what you pick at the start sets most of the price — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherFrequency of sessions — a half day and a full day are not twice the price — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the science tutor is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, travel distance — distance adds to the day before any work is done.
- Subject-Specific Tutoring
- Science tutors provide specialised support in areas such as biology, chemistry, and physics.
- Practical Experimentation
- Many science tutors incorporate hands-on experiments to reinforce theoretical concepts.
- Exam Preparation Strategies
- Science tutors equip students with effective study techniques and exam strategies.
- Biology Tutor
- Focuses on teaching concepts related to living organisms, including ecology, genetics, and cellular biology.
- Chemistry Tutor
- Helps students understand chemical principles, reactions, and laboratory techniques, often preparing them for exams.
- Physics Tutor
- Assists students in grasping the fundamentals of physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a science tutor: questions people ask
The cost of a science tutor can vary based on their qualifications, experience level, and the specific subjects being taught. specialised tutors in advanced topics may charge higher rates than generalists.
A typical tutoring session lasts between one to two hours, depending on the student's needs and the complexity of the subject matter. Longer sessions may be beneficial for exam preparation or intensive study.
Same-day tutoring availability varies by tutor. Some may offer last-minute sessions, especially for urgent exam preparation, while others may require advance booking.
Yes, many tutors offer package deals for multiple sessions, which can provide cost savings and a structured learning plan for students. It's best to inquire directly with the tutor about such options.
Tutors generally focus on academic subjects and may not cover niche areas like laboratory safety regulations or highly specialised research methods. It's important to clarify the scope of tutoring during the initial conversation.
NO REGISTER APPLIES TO PRIVATE TUTORS. Anyone may advertise as one. Where the student is under 18 the thing that matters is Garda vetting, obtained through an organisation under the National Vetting Bureau Acts 2012–2016 — and a parent cannot apply for it on a tutor's behalf, so the only practical check is to ask the tutor to show you the disclosure they hold and to read its date. A qualified teacher will also be on a teaching register, which is checkable.
MORE GUIDES