I don't live in the U.K so I can't give you specific details but I think it is a good thing you are considering doing a degree in a non-aviation field incase something happens to your medical you will have an alternative career path.
As for training why not consider doing your pilot training in Australia? If you did it here you would have your license and all your ratings within 1 & 1/2 years and I bet it would end up being cheaper than doing your training in the U.K