The market for academic tutoring - Italy (2024)

1.2 The Global Tutoring Market

The global private tutoring market has experienced remarkable growth, with a valuation of $**.** billion in ****, which is expected to nearly double in the coming years. In fact, estimates indicate that this sector could reach a total value of $***.** billion by ****, supported by a compound annual growth rate(***) of *.** percent over the forecast period. This increase is fueled by a growing demand for personalized instruction and the spread of online learning solutions, which have made private tutoring accessible to an increasingly broad audience of students and families.

Global market value of private academic tutoring services World, ****-****, in billions of dollars (***) Gowireworld

The European e-learning market is experiencing significant growth, offering attractive prospects compared to traditional private tutoring. E-learning has made education more accessible and flexible, allowing students to learn from anywhere, at any time, without the need for a physically present teacher. Compared to private tutoring, which offers one-on-one, individualized support, e-learning allows a wider audience to be reached at a reduced cost, with pre-recorded courses and interactive materials that allow students to progress independently. While private tutoring remains a preferred option for those who require intensive, targeted support, e-learning is a cost-effective and flexible alternative with ample opportunity for growth ...

1.3 The domestic market

The nca education services sector (***), which includes academic tutoring, has seen a significant increase in revenue of **.* percent from **** to ****. This increase reflects a growing demand for personalized and flexible educational services, driven by both an environment of increased academic competitiveness and the need for school support. The growth has been further fueled by the pandemic of COVID-**, which has led to an expansion in the provision of academic tutoring services, especially in online modes, and a growing interest in supplemental learning. This trend highlights the importance that families and individuals now place on supportive education, confirming the sector's strategic role within the educational economy.

Value of sales Italy, ****-****, in billions of euros (***) Istat

1.4 The impact of Covid-19 and lockdown on the learning process

The confinement imposed by the COVID-** pandemic has resulted in a significant impact on how college students learn and perform academically, bringing to light new challenges and needs in the educational sector. The transition to remote learning dictated by the confinement measures has brought about a radical change in the educational experience. Physical distance from institutions, along with limited direct interaction with faculty and peers, has reduced the quality of learning for many students, negatively affecting their performance. In addition, inequality in access to appropriate devices and stable Internet connections has amplified the educational gap, especially penalizing students with fewer technological resources. The lack of a structured environment and the difficulty of adapting to the autonomy required by online learning have exacerbated the issues, raising the importance of additional supports for academic success.

In this context, online tutoring assumed a central role in mitigating the negative effects of distance learning. Tutoring has provided individualized support that can address the specific needs of each student and offer educational support beyond traditional tutoring. The report emphasizes how online tutoring helped students not only fill academic gaps, but also maintain an appropriate study pace and increased motivation, crucial aspects in a context of social ...

2.1 The question

To analyze the demand for academic tutoring services, data on the monthly household expenditure item in the category "Education not defined by level" are used. Until ****, this category represented generic spending in education, without including a specific item for tutoring. Data show that from **** to ****, spending in this category declined by **.* percent, reflecting a decrease in family investment in non-specific educational services. However, in **** and ****, a specific spending item was introduced for tutoring services, showing an increasing focus on this type of academic support. In these two years, spending on academic tutoring increased by **.* percent, signaling a growing demand for personalized learning services and targeted educational support.

Household monthly expenditure item in Undefined Education by level Italy, ****-****, in current euros (***) Istat

Study cycles that use academic tutoring show a varied trend in recent years. While tutoring remains an important educational support for many students, the data show an overall decrease in the number of pupils who used tutoring in high schools, while an increase is observed in middle schools. In middle schools, the percentage of students who have used tutoring has increased to ** percent, up from ** percent in ****, while in high schools there is a decrease from ** percent to ** percent. ...

2.2 Demand drivers

To get an overall picture of the demand for academic tutoring in Italy, it is useful to analyze some key data related to the number of schools, enrolled students and repeat students. Focusing on the number of schools, there is a significant difference between public and private supply at different levels of education.

In primary schooling, there are **,*** public institutions compared to *,*** private schools, indicating a clear predominance of public schools in this age group. The presence of private institutions remains limited, suggesting that families tend to opt more for public education for the early school years, relying on this system as the main educational channel. In secondary school (***), the number of public institutions is *,***, compared to *** private ones. Even in this level of education, the prevalence of public schools is evident, although the proportion of private schools increases slightly compared to primary. This increase may reflect a greater demand for diversified educational options or alternative schooling paths for children entering adolescence. In secondary school (***), the difference between public and private shrinks further, with *,*** public and *,*** private schools.

Number of schools Italy, ****, in thousands Istat

Analyzing the number of enrollments in public and private schools in Italy for different levels of ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

In ****, analysis of the distribution of household spending on academic tutoring shows significant differences among Italian macroregions. The average monthly expenditure per household in current euros is highest in the Center, with *.** euros, followed by the North with *.** euros and finally the South with *.** euros. This regional variation may reflect both differences in the average disposable income of households and a different perception of the need for paid academic support. In the Center, where there is the highest expenditure, families are likely to invest more in tutoring services, perceiving them as an important support for their children's academic performance. In the North and South, spending is lower, but still significant, indicating continued interest in academic tutoring, albeit with a lower propensity to spend than in the Center.

2.4 Major trends in demand for online tutoring

Demand for online tutoring services has surged, mainly due to the growing need for flexible and personalized educational solutions, especially in the wake of the COVID-** pandemic. This context has led to the development of seven key trends, each of which addresses different educational needs and focuses on more effective learning adapted to modern challenges.

One of the key trends is personalization of learning, with platforms offering tailored learning paths. Tutors can tailor content to each student's needs by analyzing their abilities and learning style. This approach increases the likelihood of academic success, allowing students to progress at their own pace. In addition, there has been an increasing use of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (***), which enrich the learning experience by making it more interactive and engaging. AI, in particular, is used to provide immediate feedback to students and to support the tutor in monitoring progress, while AR enables hands-on experiences in simulated settings, enhancing understanding of complex topics.

Another growing element is the spread of hybrid learning models, which combine online lectures with group activities and live sessions. This method represents a compromise between the practicality of online learning and in-person interaction, which is still considered essential for developing ...

3.1 Italian market characteristics

The tutoring sector, classified under the ATECO code "Other education services nca," experienced significant growth from **** to ****, with a steady increase in value of **.* percent. This expansion has been boosted by a growing demand for personalized educational services, which meet the needs of school support, exam preparation, and specific skill development. Companies active in this sector have benefited from the adoption of digital tools and online platforms, which have expanded the scope of tutoring services and made their use more flexible. The trend also reflects students' and families' interest in complementary learning to traditional learning, spurred by the educational challenges of recent years and the need to fill any educational gaps in a targeted way.

Number of Active Firms (***) Italy, ****-****, in thousands Istat

An analysis of the legal form of active firms in the tutoring sector, under the ATECO code "Other education services nca," shows a clear predominance of sole proprietors, freelancers and self-employed workers, making up **.* percent of the total. This predominance indicates a structure of the sector characterized by small businesses and strong operational flexibility, which is typical of private teaching and customized tutoring activities. This approach allows operators to easily adapt to the needs of individual clients ...

3.2 Value Chain

The academic tutoring value chain includes several stages, involving operational and strategic activities that are critical to ensuring quality service. Here is an analysis of the main components:

Identification of student needs

Needs assessment: the value chain begins with the analysis of students' educational needs. These needs can range from simple gaps in school subjects to specific preparations for important exams, such as college tests or certifications. Personalization of service, based on an accurate diagnosis of the student's difficulties, is crucial to success. Market segmentation: tutoring platforms and services segment their clients based on different criteria (***) to tailor their offerings precisely.

Acquisition of tutors

Recruitment and selection: the quality of the tutor is critical to the effectiveness of the service. Companies or tutoring platforms must carefully select qualified tutors based on their academic skills and teaching abilities. Some platforms focus on experienced tutors with specialized degrees or professional experience, while others focus on college students or recent graduates. Training: some services offer continuing education programs for tutors to improve their teaching skills and prepare them for online or face-to-face teaching.

Tutoring services offered

One-on-one tutoring: this is the most common service, in which a tutor individually follows a student, either in-person ...

3.3 Main actors

In Italy, academic tutoring is offered by both public and private institutions, with the aim of supporting students in their education. Here is an overview of the main players in the field:

Universities and Academic Institutions

Many Italian universities offer tutoring services to assist students during their studies. For example:

University of Turin: offers tutoring services to reduce dropout rates and promote active participation in university life. [***] University of Brescia: provides tutoring to support students in various areas, including those with disabilities and DSA.[***] LUISS Guido Carli: provides Ateneo and didactic tutoring to orient and support students in organizing their studies.[***]

Online Tutoring Programs

With the advent of digitization, online tutoring programs have emerged that offer academic support at a distance. One example is TOP - Tutoring Online Program, which aims to provide online tutoring to students, involving universities such as Harvard and Bocconi. [***]

Private Tutoring Platforms

In addition to academic institutions, there are private platforms that offer academic tutoring services:

Skuola.net Repetitions: a platform that connects students with qualified tutors for private lessons in various subjects. Skuola.net | Repetitions is an online platform that connects students of all levels with qualified tutors for private lessons, both in-person and online. ...

3.4 Academic support for young immigrants: the Penny Wirton School model

The school integration of immigrant children and youth in Italy represents a significant challenge, as these students often face linguistic, cultural and social obstacles that can compromise their educational path. Recent data reveal that about ** percent of the Italian school population is made up of students with migrant backgrounds, with a greater concentration in northern Italian regions. Among the main difficulties that these young people face are language barriers, which limit comprehension of lessons and active participation in class, and cultural differences that often make it difficult to adapt to the new context. In addition, schools do not always have the necessary resources to adequately support these students, despite the fact that welcoming programs and Italian as a second language courses have been initiated. The role of collaborations between schools, local authorities and nongovernmental organizations is crucial in creating an inclusive school environment and fostering integration.[***]

One virtuous example of academic support and integration is the Penny Wirton School in Rome, founded in **** by Eraldo Affinati and Anna Luce Lenzi. This school, which offers free Italian lessons to migrants and refugees, is distinguished by a completely personalized teaching approach. The Penny Wirton method provides one-on-one lessons between teacher and student, allowing ...

4.1 The different types of mentoring

The academic tutoring market in Italy offers a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of students from high school to college. Here are the main types of offerings present:

4.2 Market prices

Average prices for academic tutoring in Italy vary depending on the school level, the complexity of the subject matter, and the experience of the tutor. Here is a current overview of average rates:

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Another factor that affects pricing is the subject being taught:

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Some online platforms offer tuition packages at competitive prices. For example, GoStudent offers repetitions from **.**€ per lesson, with prices varying depending on the number of lessons booked and the length of the subscription.[***]

Price Index Rise in Non-Definable Education Courses by Level: Impacts and Importance for Italian Families

Theconsumer price index for the whole community (***) in education courses not definable by level increased by *.* percent from January **** to October ****. This figure reflects a growth in costs associated with training courses and tutoring, which are not in standard education levels such as primary, secondary or tertiary. The increase, while moderate, indicates a trend of increased cost for families who decide to invest in additional educational services such as private tuition and further education courses.

Consumer price index - education courses not definable by level Italy, ****-****, base **** = *** - monthly data Istat

4.3 Futura: The Italian Edtech Startup Revolutionizing Education with Artificial Intelligence

Futura is an Italian edtech startup founded by Andrea Chirolli that uses artificial intelligence (***) to offer personalized learning paths to students. The platform stands out for its ability to automatically adapt educational content to the individual needs of users by analyzing in real time how students answer questions and interact with learning materials. This approach enables Futura to create optimized learning paths, combining live and recorded lessons based on the specific needs of each student.

One of the key elements of Futura is the simulator, which observes various parameters such as response time and frequency of response changes by the student to generate an accurate profile of his or her abilities. In addition to this, the platform includes a community section, where students can interact with each other, challenge each other on quizzes and contribute their own explanations, thus enriching the knowledge base of the platform, which to date has about **,*** questions.

Futura has seen rapid growth, growing from ** users in the first year to *,***, with the goal of reaching *,*** users by the ****/**** academic year. This success has been made possible by the platform's maniacal focus on the user experience and its ability to offer the highest quality service at competitive ...

5.1 Rules and regulations

The following is an analysis of the rules and regulations governing the proper performance of the market under analysis:

5.2 Bonuses and Incentives

Tax deductions for private tutoring and other education-related expenses allow Italian families to reduce their tax burden on their tax returns. Here is an in-depth look at how these deductions work, with a focus on education-related expenses, including private tutoring.

**% tax deduction for education-related expenses

Education-related expenses incurred by taxpayers are eligible for a ** percent tax deduction on their tax returns. These expenses include:

School Attendance Expenses: These include expenses for primary, junior and senior high school (***) and college. These may cover tuition fees, voluntary contributions, school lunch, and other documentable school expenses. College education expenses: These include tuition and fees for undergraduate, doctoral, master's, fine arts academies and conservatories, including expenses for Italian and foreign universities.

Deductible expenses for extracurricular training courses and private tutoring

Expenses for private training and tutoring courses can also be part of deductible expenses, but there are specific conditions:

Extracurricular courses and remedial schooling: Expenses for remedial schooling, after-school activities and private study support courses, such as tutoring for specific subjects (***), are deductible, as long as they are documented and attributable to the educational field. These services must be aimed at improving the student's academic skills. Recognized courses: Expenses incurred for courses or private ...

6.1 Segmentation

• Classgap
• SuperProf
• Pronto Ripetizione
• Graham Holdings Company
• OpenClassrooms