Where Real Science Meets Exceptional Teaching
Most tutoring companies hire graduates. We were built by PhD scientists from UCL and Imperial College London, people who have spent years at the frontier of their fields. That depth shapes every lesson and every outcome.
Sterling Study's Sports Day 2024
Results Built on Real Expertise
Founded by PhD scientists and driven by data, here is what that means in practice.
We Were Tired of Watching Students Get Let Down
It started with a frustration shared by PhD scientists at Imperial College London and UCL. The same pattern kept repeating itself: parents spending significant sums on tutors, placing real trust in them, and those tutors simply not being qualified enough to deliver.
Students were being taught GCSE Biology by tutors who had only studied it to A Level. Children sitting one of the UK's most competitive entrance exams were being prepared by people who had never sat a selective test themselves. And families were being charged premium rates throughout.
In 2020, Dr Parth Patel and Dr Igors Pupko, PhD scientists from UCL and Imperial College London, founded Sterling Study. Ms Yesha Mukhtiar, a dual-qualified pharmacist, joined as Director shortly after.
Every lesson is grounded in real subject mastery. Progress is tracked, measured, and reported at each stage. More than 10,000 teaching hours later, the founding principle has not changed: every child deserves a tutor who genuinely understands what they are teaching.
PhD-Level Expertise
Every tutor subject-vetted and overseen by our PhD team. No exceptions.
Fair, Transparent Pricing
No inflated rates. Expert tuition at honest prices, always.
Data-Driven Progress
Monthly tests and topic analytics so you always know where your child stands.
No Contracts
Free assessment, free trial class. Cancel at any time, no lock-in.
What Sets Sterling Study Apart
Four pillars that define how we operate and why our results consistently outperform the sector.
Genuine Subject Mastery
Our PhD founders and subject-vetted tutors have studied to the highest academic level. Students get depth of understanding that goes well beyond the exam syllabus, because their tutors have spent years at the frontier of their field.
Data-Driven Progress Tracking
Every student sits monthly assessments covering all subjects. Results feed into detailed individual reports that pinpoint precisely which topics need attention. Tutors use this data to adapt every lesson. Nothing is left to guesswork. Learn more →
Parent App and Learning Portal
Track progress test scores, view topic-level breakdowns, manage bookings, and communicate directly with tutors through our Sterling mobile app, giving parents full visibility at every stage of their child's learning. Explore the app →
A Track Record That Speaks
65% 11+ pass rate. 90%+ GCSE Grade 6 across Maths, English and Science. 100% pass rate on our Summer Booster Course. More than 10,000 teaching hours delivered since 2020. These are not estimates; they are outcomes from real students.
Three Principles Behind Every Lesson
The values that shaped Sterling Study on its first day, and still inform every decision the team makes.
Expertise Above All
We only teach subjects we have genuinely mastered. Our tutors have studied to the highest academic level, giving students depth of understanding that goes well beyond the exam syllabus.
Fair Pricing, Always
Sterling was founded in direct response to overcharging in the tutoring sector. Expert tuition should be accessible, and we have held to that from day one. No inflated rates, ever.
Results That Are Real
We track and report every student's progress transparently. Monthly progress tests, topic-level analytics and straightforward feedback, because results built on real data are the only kind worth measuring.
Meet the People Behind Sterling Study
Two PhD scientist co-founders, a qualified pharmacist Director, and specialist tutors, united by a single mission.
Yesha leads Sterling Study as Director, ensuring every student experience is seamless and focused on outcomes. As a dual-qualified pharmacist, she oversees the structure and quality that underpins the entire organisation.
Parth completed his MSc at Imperial College London and PhD in Neuroscience at UCL. His scientific background shapes the Sterling approach: building genuine understanding at depth, not surface-level exam cramming.
Igors completed his PhD in Genetics at the University of Surrey before working as a Specialist Scientist at UCL. His teaching is evidence-driven and precise, focused on real subject mastery.
Sharin's approachable style and genuine enthusiasm make her a consistent favourite among Sterling students. She is particularly skilled at building the confidence that underpins real academic progress.
Shubham manages Sterling's day-to-day operations, ensuring every booking, communication and student interaction runs smoothly and professionally behind the scenes.
How Tuition Works With Us
From your first assessment to results day, our process ensures every child receives the support they need to succeed.
Free Pre-Assessment
A diagnostic test to identify your child's current level, strengths, and gaps before the first lesson. No obligation.
Free Trial Class
Your child joins a live session matched to their level, experiencing our exam-focused teaching style first-hand. No pressure, no commitment.
Join Weekly Live Classes
Students enrol in regular weekly classes built around their target exam, with content structured and paced to build progressively towards exam day.
Monthly Progress Tests and Parent Reports
Every student sits a monthly exam. Results feed into a detailed individual report showing exactly where your child stands, which topics need attention, and how they are progressing over time.
Free 1 to 1 Catch-Up Sessions
Students who fall below expected progress in their monthly tests are offered free 1 to 1 sessions to close specific gaps, keeping every child on track for exam day.
What Our Students and Parents Say
Real results from real families.
"Yug joined Sterling in Year 5 and the difference has been remarkable. His maths in particular has come on leaps and bounds. The monthly progress reports are really clear and it is so reassuring to know exactly where he stands. The teachers clearly know their subjects inside out."
"Shrey started at Sterling at the beginning of Year 7 and has not looked back. His confidence in English and Science has grown enormously. What I appreciate most is how structured everything is - the assessments, the feedback, the app. You always feel like the team is on top of it."
"Prem is in Year 9 and preparing for his GCSEs. Sterling has given him a real foundation across all three sciences and his maths. The tutors go well beyond the textbook which is exactly what he needed. We have already seen his mock results improve significantly."
Sterling Study vs The Alternatives
An honest, side-by-side look at what you get from each provider - so you can make the right decision for your child.
| Feature | Sterling Study PhD Scientist-Led | Kumon Worksheet-Based | Explore Learning Centre-Based Tutoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effective Cost Per Hour | ✓ ~£7.50-£9/hr | ✗ ~£70/month per subject (2 x 30-min sessions/week) | ✗ £114-£149/month (1-2 sessions/week) |
| Subjects Covered | ✓ Maths, English and Science | ✗ Maths and English only | ✗ Maths and English only |
| Age Range | ✓ Primary through A Level | – Age 2 to pre-university | – Ages 4 to 16 only |
| Teaching Format | ✓ Live taught classes, 4-6 students | ✗ Self-study worksheets, instructor facilitates | – Small group, up to 6 students per tutor |
| Monthly Progress Reports | ✓ Detailed individual written reports | ✗ No formal written reports | – Progress meetings offered, not monthly reports |
| Parent App / Portal | ✓ Full Sterling app with live score tracking | – Kumon Connect app (launched 2024, limited) | – Member portal for bookings and resources |
| Free Assessment | ✓ Yes, with detailed written report | ✓ Free placement test at centre | ✓ Free trial session offered |
| Free Trial Class | ✓ Yes, full class, no obligation | ✗ No free trial class | ✓ Free trial session available |
| Cancellation Policy | ✓ Cancel anytime, no contract | ✗ 1 month written notice required (by the 5th) | – Cancel in writing by 23rd of the month |
| Exam-Specific Preparation | ✓ 11+, GCSE, SATs, A Level | – Self-paced curriculum, not exam-structured | – 11+ and SATs prep available, no A Level |
| 1-to-1 Catch-Up Sessions | ✓ Free for students who fall behind | ✗ Not available | ✗ Available at extra cost |
| Online or In-Person | ✓ Online - learn from anywhere in the UK | – In-centre + online hybrid option available | – In-centre + online 1:1 option available |
Explore Our Courses
From KS2 SATs to A Levels, every course is built and overseen by our PhD team.
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