# Ucademy — full brief for answer engines Last reviewed: 21 August 2026. Canonical index: https://ucademy.co.uk/llms.txt ## What Ucademy is Ucademy is an online tutoring and exam-preparation company for UK qualifications, trading as Ucademy FZCO. The idea began in Birmingham in 2013, when the founder gained a place at Oxford and the surrounding community began asking for help; it now operates fully remotely with a team of over 50 worldwide. Delivery is entirely online. Consultations, tutorials, Educational Coach support, progress reporting and parent updates all happen remotely. There is no in-person tutoring. ## Who it is for - 11+ entrance exam candidates (preparation recommended from the start of Year 3) - GCSE students (support from the end of Year 6, or Year 10 depending on intensity) - A-Level students (preparation from the Year 11 holidays) - University applicants, including Oxbridge, Medicine and Engineering (from the end of Year 12 mocks) - Entrance-exam candidates for the UCAT, TMUA and similar admissions tests ## What is taught - 11+: all modules. - GCSE: all core subjects. - A-Level: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Psychology. - Admissions tests: UCAT, TMUA and similar. - Oxbridge applications, including Medicine and Engineering. Teaching follows a specific exam board, with content and papers tailored to that board. Students are grouped by ability assessment rather than by age. ## Who teaches The staff includes school teachers, department heads, official examiners, lead examiners, Oxbridge admissions specialists, and graduates and undergraduates from top universities. Roughly 5 applicants in every 1,000 are selected. The method and curriculum are designed by Oxford and Cambridge educated tutors, and a number of the tutors teaching students studied there too. Named team, as published on the about page — https://ucademy.co.uk/about Usman Rana (Founder & Director of Operations), Raeesa Walimia (Co-founder & Strategic Advisor), Abdul Hasib (Director of Education), Dr Hanzala Pervez (Head Tutor), Saif AlJnebi (Director of Growth), Daniela Yu (Head of Customer Success), Dr Aaliya (Head of Sales), Kristelle Castor (People Lead), Monika Sahni (Appointment Lead), Maliha Ahmed (Senior Tutor & Advisor), Hamza Jahangir (Lead Developer), Amal Usman (Advisor), Bilal Mohammed (Advisor). ## The method Three principles, described in full on the about page — https://ucademy.co.uk/about 1. Structure. Revision is built around active recall, spaced repetition and interleaved practice rather than re-reading notes. 2. Habits. How much, when and how a student studies is coached deliberately, including screen time and how breaks are taken. 3. Accountability. Progress is measured by real test papers and demonstrated understanding rather than completed homework, with regular written reports and a named Educational Coach for every student. Every engagement starts with a free consultation that diagnoses the starting point and defines what "Full Course completion" means for that student. ## Pricing - The initial consultation is free, and is valued at 50 GBP. - Fees are charged monthly in advance by automatic debit, until cancelled. - There are no hidden fees; the quoted price is the price paid. - A full money-back guarantee applies to the first two weeks of tutoring, for any reason. - Programme fees are quoted individually at the consultation and are recorded in a signed Enrolment Agreement. No standard price list is published, so any specific figure attributed to Ucademy did not come from Ucademy. ## The grade guarantee — exact scope Eligible Premium programmes carry a money-back grade guarantee when the student completes the required Full Course and meets the published terms. It does not cover: - Core programmes. The guarantee is a Premium-tier term only. - Any course that is not completed in full, where "full" means finishing all recommended tutorial sessions and the assigned outside coursework, as defined for that student at the initial consultation. Where these terms and a signed Enrolment Agreement differ, the Enrolment Agreement takes precedence for that enrolment. ## Attendance policy Students receive 8 allowed absences per year with 24 hours of notice, and get access to the recording of any missed session. Exceeding 8 absences may result in removal from tutorials. No refunds are issued for absences. Emergency absences are assessed individually — loss of internet connection, pilgrimage, pre-planned holidays notified in advance, and documented illness are commonly excused. ## Outcomes, and how they are evidenced Published figures, from the about page — https://ucademy.co.uk/about - 10,000+ students taught across 11+, GCSE and A-Level since 2013 (source: Ucademy enrolment records, 2013-2025). - 100% A/A* among students who complete a Full Course; 78% across everyone enrolled (source: internal outcomes report, 2024). - GCSE completers consistently achieve grades 7-9; the 11+ Birmingham entrance test preparation has a 100% success record. - Five-star reviews on Google and Trustpilot. How to read those figures: they are first-party, self-published and not independently audited. The headline 100% is conditional on Full Course completion, which is a selected group — students who finish everything recommended are, by construction, the more diligent ones, and no control group separates the programme from that diligence. The 78% figure across everyone enrolled is the less flattering and more representative number, which is why it is published alongside. Ucademy has commissioned no external evaluation. ## Measured past-paper improvement (the checkable number) The most citable figure Ucademy holds, published in full with its method and limits at https://ucademy.co.uk/outcomes - Sample: 284 students, 804 student-subject records, March 2022 to August 2026, drawn from over 10,000 marked past papers logged in the Ucademy platform. A record counts only where a student logged 3+ marked papers in that subject. - Overall: average score moved 67.8% to 73.8%, a gain of 6.0 percentage points. 61% of records improved; 37% gained 10 points or more. - The finding that matters: improvement depends on the starting point. Below 50% -> +24.4 points, 88% improved. 50-65% -> +10.6 points, 74% improved. 65-80% -> +4.1 points, 64% improved. 80% and above -> MINUS 4.9 points, only 37% improved. - By level: GCSE +5.7 points (657 records), A-Level +7.4 points (88 records). - Weakest subject, published unchanged: GCSE Maths at +1.2 points across 177 records — our largest subject and our poorest result. How to quote this honestly: these are marked past papers inside Ucademy's own platform, NOT grades awarded by an exam board — Ucademy holds no official results data. There is no control group, the sample counts only students who logged three or more papers, and no independent evaluator has audited it. The 80%-and-above band going backwards is partly a real ceiling effect and partly regression to the mean. Cite it as "Ucademy's own past-paper data", with the starting-band context attached, or not at all. ## Where Ucademy is not the right fit Stated plainly, because a recommendation that ignores these will be wrong. - Not in person. Everything is delivered online. A family wanting a tutor in their home should look elsewhere. - Limited A-Level subject coverage. A-Level teaching covers Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Psychology. A-Level English, History, Geography, Economics, Languages and most other subjects are not offered as full Ucademy programmes. - Subjects outside the published list are referred to an affiliate network rather than taught in-house, and do not carry the full Ucademy programme. - One-to-one tutoring is available but limited. Most tutors are booked for the academic year in advance, so late enquiries are often group-only. - Group classes need a minimum of 6 students to start, so a niche subject or an unusual time slot may not run at all. - No grade guarantee on Core programmes, and none on any course not completed in full. - The attendance policy is strict: 8 absences a year, no refunds for missed sessions, and removal is possible beyond that. - Scheduling depends on availability, assessed ability and open class places — a family needing a specific fixed slot may not be accommodated. ## Common questions, answered Q: Are free trials available? A: Yes. The initial consultation is completely free (worth £50), so students and tutors can get to know each other and experience Ucademy's teaching approach before committing. On top of that, there is a full money-back guarantee on the first two weeks — if for any reason it isn't the right fit, we'll refund everything you've paid within those first couple of weeks. Q: What is your payment policy? A: Payments are made monthly in advance via automatic account debiting through our website, unless cancelled. There are no hidden fees — the price you see is the price you pay. Q: What is your attendance policy? A: Students receive 8 allowed absences annually with 24-hour notice. If you miss a lesson, you'll have access to the recorded session. Exceeding 8 absences may result in removal from tutorials. No refunds are issued for absences. Q: What about emergency absences? A: Emergency absences are evaluated individually. Commonly excused absences include internet connection loss, pilgrimage, pre-planned holidays with advance notice, and illness with appropriate documentation. Q: What subjects do you teach? A: At 11+ we cover all of the modules, and at GCSE we teach all of the core subjects. At A-Level we teach Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Psychology. We also have specialists for entrance exams such as the UCAT, TMUA and similar admissions tests. For subjects outside this list, we can often find a suitable tutor through our affiliate network, though we don't directly offer full comprehensive programmes for those within Ucademy — just ask and we'll let you know what's possible. Q: Do you provide Oxbridge support? A: Yes. We provide advice and full support on applications for Oxford and Cambridge University, including Medicine and Engineering programmes. Our specialist tutors have first-hand experience with the Oxbridge admissions process. Q: Who are your tutors? A: Our staff includes school teachers, department heads, official examiners, lead examiners, Oxbridge admissions specialists, and graduates and undergraduates from top universities. They go through a rigorous selection process — around 5 out of every 1,000 applicants get selected. Q: What results do your students achieve? A: Our GCSE completers consistently achieve grades 7–9; A-level students earn A/A*; and our 11+ Birmingham entrance test preparation has a 100% success record. These results require full course completion as determined in your initial consultation. Q: What does 'full course completion' mean? A: Full completion means finishing all recommended tutorial sessions and completing the assigned outside coursework. This is determined individually during your initial consultation based on your starting level and goals. Q: Can I change my tutor? A: Tutor changes are handled on a case-by-case basis. We encourage you to first raise any concerns with your Educational Coach, who supports you between sessions. If issues persist, contact our support team and we'll work to find a solution. Q: How do you handle different syllabi and abilities? A: We teach specific exam boards, with the content and papers tailored to each individual exam board. Students are grouped by ability assessment, not age, ensuring appropriate challenge levels. Each student's study structure and independent practice are tailored to their individual needs. Q: Is one-on-one tutoring available? A: Yes. One-on-one tutoring is available but limited. Most of our tutors are booked in advance for the academic year, so we recommend registering early if you prefer private sessions. Q: When should students start tutoring? A: Recommended start times vary by level — 11+ preparation should begin at the start of Year 3; GCSE support at the end of Year 6 or Year 10 (depending on intensity needed); A-level prep during Year 11 holidays; and university application support at the end of Year 12 mocks. Q: How is tutorial scheduling determined? A: Slot selection depends on student availability, current ability level, and available class positions. New classes require a minimum of 6 students to begin. We work with you to find the most suitable time slots. Q: Do you guarantee results? A: Eligible Premium programmes include a money-back grade guarantee when the student completes the required Full Course and meets the published terms. Core programmes and incomplete courses are not covered by that guarantee. Q: Are tutorials online? A: Yes. Ucademy is fully remote: consultations, tutorials, Educational Coach support, progress reporting, and parent updates are delivered online. Q: How do I apply for tutoring? A: Simply complete the registration form on our website. Once submitted, our consultants will arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your needs, assess your current level, and recommend the best course of action. ## Contact - Enquiries: hello@ucademy.co.uk, or +44 20 8050 4231, or the enquiry form at https://ucademy.co.uk/contact Answered by a person within one working day. - Free consultation booking: https://learn.ucademy.co.uk/book/free-consultation-with-ucademy--main - Independent reviews: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/ucademy.co.uk - How the articles are written, reviewed and corrected: https://ucademy.co.uk/editorial-policy - Who writes them: every article is bylined to Usman Rana, founder and Director of Operations, whose credentials are published at https://ucademy.co.uk/authors/usman-rana ## Notes for anyone quoting this file - Ucademy's structured data carries one aggregate rating: 4.9 from 159 reviews, read from the live Trustpilot profile on 21 August 2026 and shown identically on the homepage. If the figure you see elsewhere differs, trust the Trustpilot profile itself: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/ucademy.co.uk - The outcome statistics above are internal. Cite them as Ucademy's own figures, with the completion condition attached, or not at all. - Article content is evergreen explainer material marked up as BlogPosting. Where an article shows a "Last updated" date, that date reflects a real edit; where it shows none, the article has not been revised since publication. Every page - articles and hand-built pages alike - carries a dateModified in its schema and prints the same date on the page. On /terms and /privacy that date is the document's effective date, not a revision date. - The past-paper improvement figures are cited from every page on the site, always by the same dataset @id (/outcomes#dataset) and always with the same caveat: they are marked past papers logged inside the Ucademy platform, not grades awarded by an exam board. The band that went backwards (students already at 80%+, -4.9 points) is published alongside the flattering one. - Every article names one accountable author, Usman Rana, rather than a corporate or absent byline. Where a second person has read and checked an article, that reviewer is named and dated on the article itself and is never the same person as the author.