In the face of mass education, the need to seek individualized methods of students' teaching-learning is increasing. That causes academic tutoring to become more and more popular in higher education all over the world. The article presents the theoretical background of tutoring, the results of research in that regard and the benefits of its practical application. Furthermore, the reality of higher education in Poland is presented here: the context and basic problems constituting the background for possibilities and limitations of application of academic tutoring in Polish conditions. The last part of the article includes examples of application of tutoring at Polish universities. Besides, some areas are indicated in which the use of tutoring may still be considered if the economic, social and cultural conditions in Poland are taken into account.