Grinds in Other Academic Subjects in Ireland
Lessons or coaching in an academic subject that is not on the standard school curriculum — classical studies, philosophy, economics, politics, theology, or a language not offered at the local school — usually run over weeks or months rather than as a one-off session. A student preparing for a university module, a Leaving Certificate subject studied outside school, or an adult returning to a subject after years away needs steady teaching rather than a single cram. Tutors in this category work online or in person, one to one or in small groups, and the shape of the arrangement matters as much as the subject itself. Post your task and describe what you need: the subject, the level, the exam or goal, and the days that suit you. On this Other academic subjects page you can open listed profiles by Irish county and write to the provider from there. Your task stays open for 30 days. Providers registered in this category can see it. Posting a task on ShamFix costs nothing today.
What shapes the price of other academic subjects
- What a tutor charges for this kind of teaching depends on several things, and you should ask about each before you agree to anything.
- The first is whether the price is per lesson or per block: a block of ten lessons is usually quoted at a lower rate per hour than a single lesson, but you are committing to the full block.
- The second is format.
- Online teaching removes travel and room costs, and it usually suits a subject taught mainly through discussion and reading.
- In-person teaching in a city like Dublin, Cork, or Galway may carry a higher rate because of travel and room hire, while a tutor in a smaller county may charge less.
- The third is the level: a first-year undergraduate module, a repeat exam, or a postgraduate dissertation is more demanding to prepare for than a general interest course, and the rate reflects that.
- Ask whether materials, past papers, or reading lists are included, and whether the tutor charges for preparation time separately.
- Ask what happens if you cancel a lesson at short notice, and whether missed lessons inside a block can be rescheduled.
- No figure is fixed here because rates vary by subject, county, and experience.
How long other academic subjects takes
How often to train depends on the goal. A student preparing for a university exam in eight weeks usually needs one or two lessons a week, with reading and written work between sessions. An adult learning a subject for interest can go at one lesson a week or one a fortnight and still make steady progress. A student repeating a school exam in a subject not taught at their school may need an intensive block in the weeks before the paper. Progress in a discussion-based subject shows first in confidence — the student can follow an argument, use the vocabulary, and ask better questions. Written progress shows later, often after six to ten weeks of regular work, when essays or answers become more structured. Ask the tutor at the start what a realistic goal looks like for your timeline, and agree a point — usually four to six weeks in — to review whether the arrangement is working for you.
What to ask before you hire
- 01Before you book, ask the tutor how many students they have taught at this exact level or for this exact exam.
- 02A tutor who has prepared students for a university module in economics, or for a philosophy paper, will know the marking scheme and the common mistakes.
- 03Ask whether they offer a trial lesson, and whether that trial is charged at the normal rate or at a reduced one.
- 04Ask what materials they use: their own notes, a set text, past papers, or a mix.
- 05Ask how they handle a student who is falling behind, and how they report progress to a parent or to the student themselves.
- 06If the student is a child, ask to see the tutor's Garda vetting certificate before any lesson takes place.
- 07Ask about cancellation: how much notice is needed, and whether a cancelled lesson is refunded, carried forward, or lost.
- 08Ask whether lessons are recorded, and who keeps the recording.
- 09Finally, ask for the name of a professional body the tutor is a member of, and check it yourself.
Other academic subjects guides
All guides →
How to Pressure Wash a Driveway Safely in IrelanHow to Pressure Wash a Driveway Safely in Ireland
9 min read
Explore other service categories that might interest you:
Grinds for the full range of subjects
Leaving Cert students take six or seven subjects, and CAO points come from their best six. That makes subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Accounting, Economics, Business, Geography and Agricultural Science just as important as the core subjects. Newer subjects such as Computer Science and Politics and Society can be hard to find teachers for in smaller schools. Languages like Spanish, German and Italian are in demand for orals in spring. Tutors are often secondary teachers or recent graduates, and online grinds make it easier for students in rural areas to find a subject specialist anywhere in Ireland.
Subject grinds you can request
- Leaving Cert Biology
- Leaving Cert Chemistry or Physics
- Accounting and Business grinds
- Economics grinds
- Agricultural Science project and exam help
- Computer Science coursework and exam
- Geography fieldwork and exam technique
- History research study and essays
- Spanish, German or Italian oral preparation
- Art history and appreciation
Subject grinds questions
How are CAO points counted?
Points are calculated from your best six Leaving Cert subjects, so improving any one subject can raise your total.
Can a tutor help with coursework?
Tutors can guide research, structure and technique, but coursework must be the student's own work.
Is it hard to find tutors for less common subjects?
It can be locally, but online grinds give access to subject specialists from all over Ireland.
When should oral language grinds start?
Leaving Cert orals take place in spring, so starting conversation practice in the autumn of sixth year gives plenty of time.
How much do subject grinds cost?
Rates depend on the subject, level and tutor experience. Post your task on ShamFix to compare quotes free.
Other academic subjects questions people ask
How many lessons a week does a student need for a university exam in an academic subject?
One or two lessons a week is the usual pattern for an exam eight to twelve weeks away. The lessons carry the explanation and feedback; the reading and written work between them carry the learning. If the exam is closer, an intensive block of three or four sessions a week may help, but only if the student can keep up with the work in between.
Is online teaching as effective as in-person for subjects like philosophy or economics?
Yes, for most academic subjects online teaching works well because the lesson is mainly discussion, reading, and written feedback. What matters is a stable connection, a quiet room, and a tutor who can share texts and notes on screen. In-person suits students who need the structure of leaving the house, or who find it hard to concentrate at a screen.
What should I ask before paying for a block of ten lessons?
Ask what happens if you cancel a lesson, whether missed lessons inside the block can be rescheduled, and how much notice is needed. Ask whether the block has an expiry date. Ask whether the tutor will put the terms in writing. A block lowers the rate per lesson, but it is only good value if the schedule genuinely suits you.
Should I ask to see a Garda vetting certificate if my child will be taught by a tutor?
Yes. If the tutor will be working with a child, ask to see the Garda vetting certificate before any lesson takes place, and check that the name and date match. Vetting is one part of choosing a tutor; it does not replace a trial lesson, references, or your own judgement about how the tutor works with your child.
How long before I see progress in a subject taught mainly through discussion and essays?
Confidence usually shows within three or four weeks: the student follows the argument, uses the vocabulary, and asks sharper questions. Written work improves more slowly, often after six to ten weeks of regular lessons and essays. Ask the tutor to mark one piece of work early so you have a baseline to compare against.
What does a tutor charge for this kind of teaching, and what changes the rate?
Rates vary by subject, level, county, and format, so no single figure applies. A block of lessons usually costs less per hour than a single lesson, online is often cheaper than in person, and higher-level or exam-specific teaching costs more. Ask whether materials and preparation are included, and get the full price in writing before you start.
Need other academic subjects in Ireland?
Post an other academic subjects task. Your task stays open for 30 days. Providers registered in this category can see it.
Post an other academic subjects taskNo obligation to hire.Offer other academic subjects on ShamFix
This listing is for other academic subjects work in Ireland. Register so customers posting in this category can find your profile.
Register as a providerPosting a task on ShamFix costs nothing today.