Home tuition vs tuition centre vs online tuition in Singapore
There is no single best option. 1-to-1 lessons, at home or online, cost more per hour and fit specific gaps and exam years. A tuition centre costs less per hour and suits self-motivated students who like a class. With us, online lessons cost the same as home lessons. Here they are side by side, with an indicative cost per term for Sec 3 and Sec 4.
Side by side: home tuition, tuition centre and online tuition
| Dimension | 1-to-1 home tuition | Tuition centre | 1-to-1 online tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | A tutor teaches your child 1-to-1 at home, with a lesson plan built around them. | Group classes at the centre, on a fixed weekly schedule and curriculum. | A tutor teaches your child 1-to-1 over Zoom or Google Meet. |
| Hourly cost, Sec 3 to Sec 4 | S$45 to S$95 an hour by tutor tier, from our rate card. | About S$25 to S$45 an hour per child, effective. A typical range, not our pricing. | The same as home tuition: S$45 to S$95 an hour. We price by level and tutor tier, not format. |
| Indicative cost per term, Sec 3 to Sec 4 | About S$675 to S$1,425. | About S$375 to S$675. Often billed as a term package. | About S$675 to S$1,425. |
| Follows the school's topics | Yes. The tutor can work ahead of the next school topic and test. | Usually not. The class follows the centre's own curriculum and schedule. | Yes, as with home tuition. |
| Travel | None for your child. The tutor comes to you. | A trip to the centre and back for every lesson. | None for either side. |
| Pace and catch-up | Set for one student. The tutor can slow down or repeat a topic. | Set for the group. The class moves on to the next topic. | Set for one student, as with home tuition. |
| Marking written work | The tutor marks work on paper, side by side, as it is done. | Depends on the class size and the centre's routine. | Workable but slower: work is photographed or shared on screen. |
Show every rowShow fewer rows
Cost per term assumes a 10-week term with one 1.5-hour lesson a week (15 hours). Home and online figures use our Sec 3 to Sec 4 rate card. The centre figure is a typical range, not our pricing, and individual centres vary. For other levels, see the rate table.
Who home tuition suits
- Exam-year students (P6, Sec 4, JC2) who need the pace set around them
- Students with specific weak topics that a class cannot dwell on
- Families with tight schedules or several children
- Parents who want regular updates from one tutor
Who a tuition centre suits
- Self-motivated students who enjoy learning in a group
- Lower-stakes years where broad practice is the goal
- Families keeping the cost per term low
- Parents who prefer a fixed weekly timetable
Who online tuition suits
- Upper secondary and JC students with a quiet study space
- Concept-heavy subjects such as Math, Physics, Chemistry and Economics
- Late-evening or weekend slots that suit a screen better than a commute
- Families whose best-fit tutor lives in another part of Singapore
How to choose
- Name the problemA weak topic or an exam year points to 1-to-1 lessons. Broad practice for a student who is coping can work in a class.
- Compare cost per termA centre costs less per hour. 1-to-1 spends the whole lesson on your child. The table prices the same 15 hours.
- Match how your child focusesYounger or easily distracted children often do better with someone in the room.
- Count travel and timetableCentres run fixed slots at a fixed place. Home and online lessons fit your week.
- Review after a few weeksAre homework, tests and confidence moving? If not, change the format.
Weighing online against in-person in more depth? Read online vs in-person tuition. Deciding how to hire? See agency vs hiring a tutor directly.
Common questions
Is home tuition more expensive than a tuition centre?
Per hour, usually yes. Our 1-to-1 rates for Sec 3 and Sec 4 run S$45 to S$95 an hour, against a typical S$25 to S$45 an hour per child at a centre. For a 10-week term of 1.5-hour weekly lessons, that is about S$675 to S$1,425 for home tuition and about S$375 to S$675 at a centre.
Is online tuition cheaper than home tuition?
Not with us. 1-to-1 online lessons cost the same hourly rate as home lessons, because we price by level and tutor tier, not by format. Online group classes and recorded courses are priced differently, and we do not quote a range for them.
Which option suits an exam year?
It depends on the student. 1-to-1 lessons, at home or online, can follow the school's topics and focus on the specific gaps before the exam. A centre class suits a student who is coping and wants structured practice with classmates. How your child responds to the first few lessons is the most useful test.
Can we combine formats?
Yes. Some families pair a centre class for broad practice with 1-to-1 lessons for one weak topic, or move some home lessons online in a busy term. We charge the same hourly rate for home and online lessons, so switching does not change the price.
Which option does The Singapore Syllabus provide?
1-to-1 tuition, at home or online. You pay only the hourly rate shown on your tutor shortlist.
We match 1-to-1 tutors for home and online lessons
Tell us the level and subject and we send 2 to 4 tutor profiles within 16 hours. If the fit is wrong, we re-match at no charge. WhatsApp +65 8971 7546.