Have you wondered what the chemistry tutoring cost is in Malaysia? If you’re an SPM, IGCSE, A-levels, or a university student looking for chemistry tutors and wondering what the cost would be, you have come to the right place.
Education is becoming more expensive in Malaysia, particularly for private schools and tertiary education. As a result, the demand for quality education has increased too. So, we get it if you think you want to make sure your investment is worth every ringgit.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the typical chemistry tutoring costs in Malaysia and everything you need to know before choosing a chemistry tutor for your lessons.
The good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get great results – the right tutor can make chemistry simpler and more affordable.
Still deciding whether chemistry is the right subject for you? Check out our article on Reasons to Study Chemistry to discover why this field is more valuable than you think.
Chemistry Tutoring Costs in Malaysia: What You Need to Know
Finding a good chemistry tutor can make all the difference in a student’s upper secondary years. But the question is, how much does it actually cost to hire one in Malaysia? Whether you’re a parent looking for your child, a student preparing for your SPM or A-Level exams, or someone studying chemistry at university level, understanding the average tutor cost per hour can help your quest to find a tutor better.
Chemistry tuition rates in Malaysia can vary widely depending on the level of study, tutor’s experience, location, and whether the lessons are online or in-person. Let’s break it down so you know what to expect before choosing your ideal chemistry tutor.
Why Chemistry Tutoring Costs Vary?
Not all chemistry tutors charge the same rate – and it’s for good reason. The tutor’s qualifications, location, years of teaching experience, and even other subjects combined (like physics, chemistry, and maths) influence the price.
For example, an experienced chemistry tutor with a degree in chemistry or from a top university may charge more than an undergraduate tutor who is still studying. Similarly, IGCSE chemistry tutors or those teaching A-level chemistry often charge higher fees than tutors for lower secondary students.
But don’t worry, you can always find a tutor who fits your budget.
Average Cost of Chemistry Lessons in Malaysia
The rates below provide a general overview of what you can expect to pay for chemistry tutoring in Malaysia and may not fully reflect current market prices.
| Mode / Setting | SPM / IGCSE (Approx RM/hour) | A-Level / STPM / Foundation (Approx RM/hour) |
|---|---|---|
| Online private tutor | RM 50 – RM 80 | RM 70 – RM 120 |
| In-person private tutor (home/face-to-face) | RM 70 – RM 120 | RM 100 – RM 180 |
| Tuition centre (per subject, group classes / monthly) | RM 70 – RM 150 / month (per subject) | RM 120 – RM 250+ / month (per subject for advanced classes) |
| Specialist / Premium (top tutors, international syllabus) | RM 100 – RM 200+/hr | RM 150 – RM 300+/hr |
These are average chemistry tutor costs and are not finalised rates. Actual prices may vary depending on when you’re reading this; costs may have changed due to factors such as demand, tutor qualifications, and lesson format (online or in-person).
Degree / Higher-level Chemistry (University / Specialist)
For degree-level chemistry (advanced organic, physical chemistry, lab techniques, research supervision), expect higher hourly rates because tutors are often postgraduates, lecturers, or industry specialists. Typical private one-on-one can cost from RM 150 – RM 300+ per hour, depending on the tutor’s qualifications and experiences.
Online vs In-Person Chemistry Tutoring
The cost of chemistry lessons also depends on whether you choose online tutoring or face-to-face sessions.
- Online Chemistry Tutor:
Online chemistry tutoring is usually more affordable, with rates starting from RM 40–RM 80 per hour. You can learn from home using platforms like Zoom or Google Meet. Online lessons are ideal for students who want flexibility, avoid the transportation costs, and prefer recorded classes to watch at a later time. - In-Person / Private Chemistry Lessons:
If you prefer personalised attention, private chemistry lessons at home can cost anywhere from RM 70–RM 150 per hour, depending on location and traffic. Tutors based in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor generally charge more due to higher demand, living costs and terrible traffic conditions.
Struggling with how to study Chemistry? Start with our beginner-friendly guide.
Factors That Affect Chemistry Tutor Cost
Here are some factors that influence how much chemistry tutors charge per hour:
- Tutor’s Qualifications and Experience
A qualified science tutor with several years of teaching experience or with a degree, Master’s or PHD will typically charge more. Tutors who specialise in SPM, IGCSE, or A-Level Chemistry and have a proven track record of helping students improve their grades are often in greater demand. Their expertise, teaching style, and familiarity with exam formats allow them to provide more effective and personalised chemistry lessons, which justifies a higher rate. - Subjects Combined
Tutors who teach physics, chemistry, and biology or offer chemistry and maths often charge slightly more for covering multiple subjects. Parents look for tutors who can offer a package that combines 2 or more of these science subjects to reduce the costs of looking for separate tutors/tuition centres for other subjects. - Lesson Duration
The cost per session varies depending on whether it’s 60 or 90 minutes. Longer sessions may cost more. However, the price might be affordable when you take a package that costs slightly less when you take more hours. For example, if an hour’s session costs RM 50, when you take a package of 5 hours, it will cost you RM 200 instead of RM 250. Here you get to save RM 50. Some tutors offer packages like this, but not all. You can definitely look for this or simply ask when speaking to a potential tutor. - Mode of Tutoring
Online classes tend to cost less since there’s no travel time involved. In-person lessons are always priced on the higher end because the tutor needs to travel to your home or a place that both parties mutually agreed upon. Tuition centres usually offer in-person lessons and charge differently based on the package you use, and the transportation is arranged by you. - Student Level
SPM, IGCSE chemistry, A-level or degree-level chemistry requires different levels of preparation and teaching, which influences the rate.
Ever wondered what kinds of jobs you can pursue with a chemistry degree? Discover some of the career pathways and see which one matches your interests in our full guide.
What You’re Paying For?
When you hire a chemistry tutor, you’re not just paying for the lesson time. You’re paying for:
- Their direct teaching time – Hours spent directly with the student
- Preparation time – A large amount of a tutor’s time happens outside of the tuition time itself. This includes planning lessons, creating study materials, sharing their own notes, and developing exercises.
- Expertise and qualifications – You pay for their experience and qualifications in teaching the subject, along with their years of teaching experience.
- Administrative tasks – Including grading tests and providing detailed feedback, and sharing your progress with you and your parents.
- Subject and level – Tutoring for SPM and IGCSE is different from tutoring for A-levels and degree levels. The preparations for these levels are not the same.
- Personalised lesson plans – Tutors usually tailor lessons to match your learning level.
There can be more to this list, but you get the point. The purpose of sharing this is to let you know what goes behind the price and also encourage you to think before you haggle the prices with a tutor.
Not sure how to pick the right Chemistry tutor for your needs? Learn how to make the right choice here.
Group Classes: Affordable and Effective Chemistry Learning
If one-on-one sessions feel costly, you can always share a chemistry tutor with a classmate or friend – just like splitting the bill. Group classes are becoming increasingly common in Malaysia, particularly for SPM and IGCSE level chemistry students.
Sharing a tutor helps lower the tutor cost per hour, as tutors usually charge a reduced rate per student in small groups. For example, a tutor may charge RM90/hour for one student, but RM60/hour per student if there are two or three.
This setup not only reduces the cost burden for some students but also encourages teamwork and discussion. Some students prefer learning in groups compared to alone, as they find that explaining concepts to peers reinforces their own understanding, especially for subjects like chemistry, physics, and maths. It can also boost their confidence and make learning less intimidating.
However, group tutoring may not suit everyone. Some students benefit more from personal attention, particularly if they need help catching up in complex topics such as organic chemistry, electrolysis, or chemical bonding. It’s recommended to go through your needs and objectives looking for a tutor, and then decide if you want to do a one-person session or a group session.
Wondering what the best tuition options are to learn Chemistry in Malaysia? We’ve created a detailed guide to help you compare and choose the right path.
Online Chemistry Lessons with Superprof
Online tutoring is now one of the best ways to learn chemistry and literally any subject – it’s convenient, affordable and time-saving. With a stable internet connection and a laptop, students can connect with online chemistry tutors from anywhere in Malaysia or even overseas.
The best way to get started on this online chemistry lessons journey is with Superprof! With over 185,443 verified tutors across Malaysia, you can find a tutor who matches your needs, goals, learning style, budget and education level.
On Superprof, you’ll find tutors who teach:
- SPM Chemistry
- IGCSE Chemistry
- A-Level Chemistry
- University-level Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Combined Physics, Chemistry, and Biology
- And many more subjects
All you need to do is head over to our website, create a free account if you haven’t already. In the subject and location sections, insert chemistry and where you live to get the system to gather the tutors who are available in the location you shared.
From here, it gets very easy. Browse through their verified profiles – most tutors share about their educational background, teaching experiences, all the other subjects they teach (chemistry, physics, and maths), mode of the lessons (online/in-person), rate per hour, and their students’ reviews.
If you have further questions, drop them a message and they will get back to you within hours – check our average reply time. For the class rates, our classes are priced at an average of RM 57/hour. We guarantee that you will find a tutor who fits your budget. If you’re still hesitating, most of our tutors offer their first class free – take this opportunity to find out if they will be the right fit for you before committing long-term.
Planning to pursue a degree in Chemistry? Our guide walks you through everything you need to know before taking the next step.
Recommended Chemistry Books for Students in Malaysia
Having the right chemistry book can make a big difference in understanding and retaining concepts. Here are a few highly recommended books for Malaysian students:
- Oxford Fajar SPM Chemistry
- Chemistry: A Modular Approach (Form 4 & 5)
- Cambridge IGCSE Chemistry (by Richard Harwood & Ian Lodge)
- Pearson Edexcel International A-Level Chemistry
- Chemistry: the Central Science by Brown, LeMay, and Bursten
- Success Chemistry SPM
- Chemistry: Concepts and Problems: a Self-Teaching Guide
Pairing these books with guidance from an experienced chemistry tutor can accelerate understanding and exam performance. You can find these books in physical bookstores like Kinokuniya, MPH, and Popular, or online platforms like Shopee and Lazada.
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