Ed Sheeran on higher education and youth unemployment: "People aren't encouraged to think"

Singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has shared his views on the high level of young people struggling to find work in Britain.

The ‘Thinking Out Loud’ singer, who did not go to university, spoke to The Observer about his decision not to pursue higher education and encourages others wanting to pursue the arts to do the same.

When asked if he thinks that youth unemployment is a problem, 23-year-old Sheeran answered:

“Yeah, because I think people are being encouraged to take the route that is easy. No one is really being challenged. At my school, Thomas Mills High School [in Framlingham, Suffolk], the head of year’s job was to get us the best grades and into uni because that would get the best Ofsted report. His job was not to find out what makes us tick. It was to get the grades.”

He added: “People aren’t encouraged to think. You might do GCSEs, A-levels, uni, but then you’re 24 and 20 grand in debt.”

The ‘X’ star asserted that young people wanting careers in the creative industries or media do not need to attend university like those who wish to work in scientific areas, such as medicine.

Ed explained: “If you know you want to be a doctor, go and get a degree… But if you want to work in a radio station, don’t get a degree in broadcasting, go and make the tea for a radio station. If you want to get in the arts in any way – journalist, musician, photographer – start off and work for someone.”

The million-selling artist sighted himself and a friend as positive examples of young people without degrees:

“There were only two people in my year who didn’t go to university – me and a mate who left at 16 because he wanted to work for this insurance firm. He’s now a homeowner at 23.”

Watch Ed Sheeran’s new video ‘Thinking Out Loud’ below: