The feeling of freedom can only be given by working for yourself, in my opinion

I think this is true. And even then, is one truly working for themselves or for their customers??

Perhaps you are a foreigner in England?

No, I'm English. I went straight to University after school and after completing my BSc, changed University to study for my MSc. More recently (albeit half a decade ago), I studied for an MBA. I really enjoy learning! It's not uncommon for people to stay at University, continue into a PhD and stay "in education" for much longer than I did. I wanted to experience the real world though 🙂

I'd love to start again though and study Architecture but it's so expensive to study in the UK now that the cost is prohibitive.