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PhD Scientists Who Teach

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.

Led by PhD scientists from Imperial College and UCL, with a specialist team and a transparent, no-contract model. Meet our team
PhD-Overseen Tuition
Free Assessment
No Contracts
Free Trial Class
Parent App Tracking
Monthly Progress Tests
The Sterling Study Team

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.

10,000+
Teaching Hours Delivered
PhD-overseen expert tuition since 2020
>90%
Grade 6+ at GCSE
Across Maths, English and Science combined
65%
11+ Pass Rate
More than double the national average
Our Story

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.

"Parents were paying £30, £40, even £50 an hour for tutors who had not truly mastered their subject. Students were losing confidence, falling further behind, and parents had no way of knowing why. That was not acceptable."The Sterling Study Founders

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.

Why Sterling is Different
🎓

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. 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.

What We Stand For

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.

Our Team

Meet the People Behind Sterling Study

Two PhD scientist co-founders, a qualified pharmacist Director, and specialist tutors, united by a single mission.

Ms Yesha Mukhtiar
Ms Yesha Mukhtiar
Director
🏛️ Director
BPharmMPharmPharmacist

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.

Dr Parth Patel
Dr Parth Patel
Lead Tutor and Co-Founder
🎓 UCL and Imperial College
BScMSc Multiomics TechnologyPhD Neuroscience

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.

Dr Igors Pupko
Dr Igors Pupko
Lead Tutor and Co-Founder
🎓 UCL, Imperial and Surrey
BScMSc Multiomics TechnologyPhD Genetics

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.

Ms Sharin Shaikh
Ms Sharin Shaikh
Tutor
📚 Specialist Tutor
Specialist Tutor

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.

Mr Shubham Shah
Mr Shubham Shah
Company Manager
⚙️ Operations
OperationsManagement

Shubham manages Sterling's day-to-day operations, ensuring every booking, communication and student interaction runs smoothly and professionally behind the scenes.

The Sterling System

How Tuition Works With Us

From your first assessment to results day, our process ensures every child receives the support they need to succeed.

1

Free Pre-Assessment

A diagnostic test to identify your child's current level, strengths, and gaps before the first lesson. No obligation.

All SubjectsNo ObligationResults Same Day
2

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.

3

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.

11+ GL and CSSEGCSEKS2 SATsA Level
4

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.

5

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.

★★★★★
4.9 out of 5 on Google
★★★★★
"What stands out at Sterling is the depth of knowledge. My son's Biology tutor did not just know the syllabus, she understood the subject properly. He went from a Grade 4 to a Grade 8. That kind of progress only comes from genuinely expert teaching."
David K.
David K.
Son achieved Grade 8 in GCSE Biology
★★★★★
"The progress tracking through the app is genuinely useful. I always knew exactly where my son stood. The whole team clearly cares about the students. He secured a place at Queen Elizabeth's Barnet and we are absolutely delighted."
Anita S.
Anita S.
Son secured place at QE Boys, Barnet
Expert PhD tuition, cheaper than 90% of tuition providers in the UK

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Or reach us directly

📞
020 8087 2806

Mon to Sat, 9am to 7pm

✉️
contact@sterlingstudy.co.uk

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📍
88a George Lane, E18 1JJ, London

Online tuition, learn from anywhere in the UK

What happens next?
After you contact us, we will arrange a free assessment for your child, share a detailed results report, and invite them to a free trial class with no obligation to continue.

Ready to See What Expert Tuition Can Do?

Start with a free assessment. No commitment, no contracts. Just an honest picture of where your child is and a clear plan for where they can get to.

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✓ Free Assessment✓ Free Trial Class✓ No Contracts✓ Cancel Anytime
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